Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 2, 1 February 2000 — Kameʻeleihiwa [ARTICLE]

Kameʻeleihiwa

In a letter to the Advertiser, former and current Hawaiian studies majors and Haunani-Kay Trask correctly pointed out that Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa, Center for Hawaiian Studies director, had been quite critical of Senator Inouye in the past. Then they accused her of having "sold out" by praising him at the recent reconciliation hearings. The charge is ugly. Of course Kame'eleihiwa has denounced the senator when he has deserved it - for contributing to misuse of Hawaiian lands, for example - but she also recognizes the important benefit to maintaining a civil relationship. Native American and Alaskan leaders all tell me that with federal recognition comes money for education and health care and standing for land claims. For federal recognition, you go through Inouye. Recognition may not be the ultimate answer for the Hawaiian people but it is one possible step toward self-determination, a goal on whieh there is no consensus yet. These pohtical realities are best addressed by discussion, education and negotiation, and Kame'eleihiwa has staked her career and reputation on creating an environment at the center that

ean harbor all points of view. It is not easy to take on Trask and her fierce constituency. While a real chief bears the brunt of battle, it is shameful that some are willing to sacrifice the mana of as fine a warrior as Kame'eleihiwa because they disagree with her vision. Jon Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio Assistant Professor Center for Hawaiian Studies