Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 10, 1 October 2002 — Mazie Hirono (D) [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mazie Hirono (D)

urv ur Native Hawaiian community has I I taught us through example the value of ho'oponopono, and led us in efforts to protect and respect the land. I pledge to support and work with you to improve the quality of life for all Native Hawaiians. "As Governor, I will work with OHA and other Native Hawaiian organizations to fmdsolutions to the social, political, and eeonomie challenges that we face. Govarnment does not have all of the answers, and I will look towards our Native Hawaiian community for input and ideas. The most important thing that we ean do is to defendNative Hawaiian institutions and programs from constitutional attacks. I will look towards our Native Hawaiian community for ideas on spe~ cific legislation that will benefit the community. "Our Native Hawaiian community must be the ones to defme self~determination for Hawaii's indigenous people. Federal recognition legislation is critical to protect and preserve important pro~ grams, entitl em ents, services and institutions from constant legal attack. "I will personally advocate for the passage of Native Hawaiian federal recognition legislation in Washington D.C. I will authorize independent counsel for the Hawaiian Homes Commission in defense of its lawsuits involving Native Hawaiian programs. I will defend lawsuits challenging Native Hawaiian programs, entitlements, ser~ vices, and institutions to the fullest extent. "Native Hawaiians are entitled to compensation See HIRONO on page 16

HIRONO from page 1 for ihe public's use of ceded lands. Yes, ihe state has a responsibility to its natve people under the Admissions Law and through a State Constitutional Amendment. In addition, we are also responsible for two public land trusts: ihe Hawaiian Home Lands Commission and ceded lands. As Governor, I will explore, consider and dis~ cuss wilh our Hawaiian eommunity all possible means to fairly compensate OHA for ihe use of ceded lands. This is a longstanding obligation that must be settled and I will work closely wilh Native Hawaiian stakehold~ eis to explore creative and beneficial alternatives, including monetary eompensation and ihe transfer of land and services. This may include, but is notlimited to: ♦ Expand tuition waivers for Native Hawaiian students seeking higher education. ♦ Access to health care and special benefits at state hospital facilities. ♦ Transfer of land from Ihe state to OHA. I have always believed that language is integral to ihe survival of a culture and a people. Since I was first elected to public office in 1980, I have b een a strong supporter of our immemion schools program. I will work wilh ihe DOE to eonhnue

and expand our Punana Leo Immersion Schools, and supportefforts to ensure that they conform wilh various state and federal educational standards. I will work wilh various entities such as the DOE and OHA to support ihe growth of Na Lei Na'auao, a consortium of charter schools with a Hawaiian based curricula that provides families wilh an alternative means to edu~ cate their children. Only 15 percent of our Native Hawaiian populahon has a college degree or high~ er, and I support programs such as ihe Native Hawaiian Heallh Professionals Scholaiship Program, whieh allow our children to gain an education while giving back to their communities. Native Hawaiians have the highest mortality rate over and other elhnie group in Hawaii. This is not accept~ able. I will push for contin~ ued support of programs that focus on improving the heallh of Native Hawaiians, and I support ihe creation of a Dept. of Hawaiian Heallh wilhin ihe John A. Burns School of Medicine. Diabetes and asthma are also major heallh problems, and I will eonhnue to support our Native Hawaiian Heallh Care System and our eommunity health centers to ensure access to quality pre~ vention programs and treat~ ment. ■