Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 1, 1 January 2003 — Leo 'Elele [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Leo 'Elele

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'Political activism' is the eall for unified action to advance Hawaiian issues

Aloha mai kākou, e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, ua ao Hawai'i ke 'ōlino nei mālamalama. In this season anei for at least the next 2-5 years, "political activism" pursuant to the advancement of Hawaiian issues will be the mission and eall for unified action. "Political activism" as the expression and exercise of Hawaiian selfdetermination will be a constant. The paradigm of politics is shifting and therein lies opportunity for Native Hawaiians. Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino, the name given by Aunty Mālia Craver to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs native rights campaign, is embodied with expectation. Aunty Mālia says, "my expectation of giving that name to the project was to have the children and families be people of knowledge and wisdom in everything they do or with every aspect." She says further, "with our kupuna, a positive name means that it's your expectations that a person or group of people will grow to do the things that the name meant." This "political activism" guided by ■ our culture and faith and principle — is the way. "Political activism" is the legacy of our beacon of dignity, faith and forgiveness — Queen Lili'uokalani. "Political activism" i is not one-shot, it is not short-lived ] nor is it led by one alone in isola- i

tion of others. We cannot and must not save "political activism" for only election time. We must be ever vigilant and we do not have the luxury of time. Do not be surprised if efforts are launched in the next year or two to convene a State Constitutional Convention. All legal maneuvers and legal delays successfully mounted in the U.S. Ninth Circuit and U.S. District courts by the OHA, DHHL defendants and SCHHA or Hui Kāko'o intervenors on Carroll/Barrett and Arakaki II to protect Article XII of the State Constitution and Hawaiian constitutionality could be rendered moot if Article XII is eliminated by a Hawai'i Con-Con. Do not be surprised if there are new litigants and new legal complaints launched beyond the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Hawaiian Home Lands trusts to now focus on our private trusts and their assets now set aside for Hawaiian beneficiaries. "Political activism" in the exercise and expression of Hawaiian selfdetermination is a must. "Political activism" in a unifted effort must be a constant. In this issue of Ka Wai Ola (see page 17), readers will access the December 6, 2002 OHA letter to Governor Lingle regarding payment of $10.3 million of past due payments for Use of Ceded

Lands (July 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002), an amount candidateLingle declared in OHA's televised gubernatorial forum November 1, 2002, that as Governor she would direct immediate payment. As of this writing, none of these funds have been transferred to OHA. As OHA enters the 2003 Legislature, E nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, let us advance together, shoulder to shoulder, in our responsible mission of ;eadership to whieh we have been called and dedicated for generations into the future there are two measures being proposed to address the declaration by Chief Justice Moon, in September 2001, of the invalidation of Act 304 and the direction to return to the legislature for remedy. The fīrst measure proposed by OHA is a "new" Act 304, due to the fact that on September 12, 2001, the Hawai'i

Haunani Apoliona, MSV\ 9 Trustee, At-large

Supreme Court ( 0ffi.ee of Hawaiian Affairs v. State ofHawai'i Civil No. 94-0205-01 ) ruled Act 304, Session Laws of Hawai'i, 1990 invalid because of conflicts with federal legislation. This measure proposes to reinstate a funding mechanism to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. In addition, this proposed measure does not intend to replace or affect the claims of native Hawaiians and Hawaiians with regard to reparations from the federal government. The second measure proposed by OHA would enact interim revenue. īf there is no new funding meehanism this proposed legislation would appropriate revenues to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for FT 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, allowing the Legislature and OHA to resolve matters addressed in the Hawai'i State Supreme Court's ruling. Queen Lili'uokalani said, "the world cannot stand still. We must advance or recede. Let us advance together. Hold thy breath ... walk shoulder to shoulder." E nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, let us advance together, shoulder to shoulder, in our responsible mission of leadership to whieh we have been called and dedicated for generations into the future. Join us at the State Capitol Rotunda, Jan. 15, 2003. (25/48) m