Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 11, 1 November 2003 — Holomua e nā ʻōiwi Hawaiʻi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Holomua e nā ʻōiwi Hawaiʻi

"Faith is the bud that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark." — From George Helm's journals 1976-1977 Three decades ago the words "Hawaiian" and "politician" would seem out of plaee if they were found in the same sentence, let alone stand side by side as a heading or a title. By nature, Hawaiians have been slow to evolve from our symbiotic and passive beginnings, especially in the politieal arena. Today, politicians in Hawai'i and on the U.S. Mainland are taking Native people mueh more seriously. Here at home in Hawai'i, it is safe to say that the Hawaiian constituency has increased significantly and has been credited for the election of a Republican governor. Here in Hawai'i the motivating factors behind the recent political rallies are slightly different but the stakes are the same. Until recently, Hawaiians haven't been the most politically educated or motivated population, but that may soon change. With the recent attacks on entitlements and lawsuits threatening all ali'i trusts, Hawaiians are

poised to be a stronger polilieal factor. In a recent USA Today article titled "The newest kingmakers: Indian tribes," published in an Oct. 2, 2003 edition. Author Kathy Keily writes about Native Americans becoming key eonstituencies in several states. "Today, politicians are scrambling to get the Indians on their side. In state after state, Native Americans have proved they have the money and the votes to be kingmakers." Native Americans, after decades of being pushed around and ignored, are now participating in the political system. The article goes on to talk about how American Indians were the last to be granted the right to participate as citizens of America in the electoral vote (in 1924) as mandated in the Constitution of the United States. Keily states that two major factors emerging from the Native American electorate are the increases in politieal contributions by tribes and the close divide in the American eleetorate. Due mostly in part to gaming interests, Native American contributions have risen significantly since 1990. The close divide between Democrats and Republicans on the Hill (Congress), gives even small constituencies a lot of weight.

"Across the country, more and more Indian tribal forces are seeing politics as a way back in." The first step for Hawaiians is to maka'ala (to be wide awake) with eyes wide open. Do your homework and educate yourself and your 'ohana. There's a frenzy of eommunity informational meetings being held across the state. Native Hawaiian organizations who are service providers, State agencies, and community development groups are taking charge. Find a meeting in your community and show up! Ho'olohe (listen) and be ni'ele (ask questions) that will help you heeome more aware of these pending issues The loeal media has been very effective in providing coverage of recent events like the Kū i ka Pono march held Sept. 7 through Waikīkī, and all subsequent pending litigation against OHA, DHHL and Kamehameha Schools. There are weekly community dialogs being aired on the 'Ōlelo Community Television ehannel. Discussions on Hawaiian issues, often featuring Hawaiian leaders and scholars with varying perspectives are very informative. The Internet is a resource full of information from legislation to

websites of the different Hawaiian groups and organizations. Regardless of the philosophical and political differences between some of the groups, they all advocate for the perpetuation of our survival in our home land. A simple topic search of the phrase "native Hawaiian politics," will yield over 1 1,000 results. It is hoped that you heeome aware of at least one new fact relating to our "racial preference" status as it is being interpreted by the seventeen Arakaki plaintiffs. Their efforts to vacate DHHL and OHA programs will affect all Hawaiians. The more you know about the situation, the closer you are to making an informed decision and actively participating. After being immersed with information, make the effort to begin sharing your knowledge with someone else. As our families are educated on the issues, they begin to relate to and understand the importance and the urgency of what the future could unfold. The more informed our community becomes the less likely we are to let our entitlements disappear. ■

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Colette Machado Trustee, Moloka'i and Lāna'i