Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 4, 1 April 2000 — Aloha March 2000 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha March 2000

John "Butch" Kekahu and the Koani Foundation are planning their second annual march in Washington, D.C., August 11-12. "With the Rice vs. Cayetano decision, it's more important than ever that we as Hawaiians make ourselves visible in Washington," Kekahu said. The first march coincided with the annexation centennial protest in 1998. Organizers are hoping to draw 20,000 participants from Hawai'i and across the continent. The Koani Foundation. based on

Kaua'i, has articulated several goals for the Aloha March 2000: to educate Americans on the facts ofthe U.S. acquisition of Hawai'i; to educate Americans on the eontinued plight of Native Hawaiians; to demon-

strate to the United States and the world a

solidarity among Native Hawaiian for self-determination; to showcase to Ameriea and the world that there are significant numbers of non-Hawaiians that support the process; and to promote the idea that Hawaiian self-determination must focus at the federal and state level. A fund-raising CD, " Aloha March 2000: Beyond the Apology," is now available through the Koani Foundation, and features the works of Sam Ahia, Leo Akana, Sudden Rush, Kroon, Liko Martin and Butch Kekahu. The cost is $10. For additional information, eall the Koani Foundation at (808)822-7643; write to P.O. Box 510-182, Keālia, Hawai'i 96751; or visit their website at www.aloha march2000.org

...... - i Butch Kekahu (in wheeichair at left) led the Koani Foundation's Aloha March in '98, and is calling for 20,000 participants in this year's event, Aug. 11 and 12.