Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 10, 1 October 2003 — Thousands gather to support Hawaiian justice [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Thousands gather to support Hawaiian justice

By Derek Ferrar On Sunday Sept. 7, thousands of demonstrators flooded Waikīkī for a march and rally in support of justice for Native Hawaiians, eulminating at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' "Ho'oulu Lāhui Aloha no nā Keiki" family day at Kapi'olani Park. An estimated 8,000 participants in the "Kū i ka Pono — Justice for Native

Hawaiians" march turned Kalākaua Avenue into a flowing river of red T-shirts, with marchers wearing the color to symbolize both Hawaiian koko, or blood, and the red 'āweoweo fish, whose presence in large schools was traditionally believed to be a portent of momentous change. Big schools of 'āweoweo had been seen in the waters around O'ahu in the week leading up to the march.

"You ean see the 'āweoweo is still running!" march organizer Vicky Holt Takamine said as she looked out over the vast stream of red shirts. "The 'āweoweo is a sign, it is an omen of things to eome." A noted kumu hula, Takamine is also president of the Hawaiian politicalaction group the 'īlio'ulaokalani Coalition, one of the march's primary sponsors along with Kamehameha

Schools. The march was called to protest recent legal attacks against Kamehameha's Hawaiian-preference admissions policy, as well as separate suits attacking OHA and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as being unconstitutionally based on racial preference. Marchers began gathering early near Fort DeRussy, and the crowd quickly See MARCH on page 9

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MARCH from page 1 swelled to fill the avenue. A number of speakers addressed the crowd, including Gov. Linda Lingle, who said: "One of the messages that we try to spread wherever we go, especially when talking with non-Hawaiians, is that what's right and just for the Hawaiian people is really what's best for the State of Hawai'i. What the Hawaiians seek is simple justice, and we're happy to be a part of it." Conches sounded and chants rang out as the marchers proceeded slowly down Kalākaua. Along the way, the procession stopped to pay tribute at several portraits of ali'i attended by members of the royal societies. As the first marchers arrived at Kapi'olani Bandstand, OHA Chairperson Apoliona inaugurated the family day event, saying: "It has been an inspiring morning .... Today, by our participation and presence we demonstrate and witness that the entire community of Hawai'i — Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike, kama'āina and malihini — are willing to gather as one body to celebrate the power of our collective courage and resolve." Following Apoliona's speech, Takamine led about a dozen kumu hula and several lines of young dancers in the hula pahu 'Au 'a 'la, said to be a prophecy from the time of Kamehameha I. A eommon interpretation of the chant is that it subtly urges Hawaiians

to hold on to their land. Hosted by emeee Billy V of KCCN FM 100, the day's entertainment lineup included music and hula from some of the islands' top groups. Spread out around the bandstand was a wide variety of activities and information booths, including keiki games and crafts, Hawaiian service providers, sovereignty groups, OHA program information, food booths, a health screening tent, and nearly 30 arts and crafts vendors. A cluster of "cultural village" tents offered demonstrations ranging from kalo pounding and lauhala weaving to lomilomi massage and spear-throw-ing practice. "This is the biggest gathering of Hawaiians I've seen so far, and it's fantastic," said lua (Hawaiian mar-tial-arts) practitioner Paul Kekuewa, who was displaying replicas of traditional Hawaiian weapons. "We feel a lot of mana here." Closing the day off with a bang, the Hawaiian-pride rap group Sudden Rush fired up the crowd until young dancers filled the stage, waving Hawaiian flags and pumping their fists in the air to shouts of "Ea!" (Sovereignty!). "The day was absolutely fabulous ... I'm so thrilled!" Takamine said as the event wound down. "But we need to continue; this is not over until all of those challenges that threaten our trusts and programs are over. We need to be there to help fight these threats. We have to be there to kāko'o (support). That's our job." ■