Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 2003 — A perspective on unity [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A perspective on unity

This monīh, Trustee Apoliona has asked her aiāe, Winona Rubin, īo provide mana'o for this eolunm. Aloha kākou. At this time in our history, Hawaiians are challenged from several directions, such as litigation against Hawaiian trusts over state and federal legislation; barriers within federal departments; internal Hawaiian community differences on models and timeframes for attaining self-governance; and a basic environment of misunderstandings, misinformation and confusion among the general public about what self-governance is or isn't. Recent events in the state and federal courts have appeared favorable, for the moment, but appeals and delayed decision-making give Hawaiians only a brief pause in the continuing battles. National issues regarding Iran and terrorist conflicts, decisionmaking on federal budget "continuing resolutions," controversies over

Medicare, energy and other major legislation forced into a possible Congressional adjournment time table of Thanksgiving, defers any action on the Hawaiian Recognition Bills (S.344 and H.R. 655) until the Year 2004 of the 108th Congressional Session. Locally, Hawaiians are becoming more aware of the status of issues and the urgency for action through forums, summits, hālāwai eommunity meetings, unity marches and more. Despite these spurts of activities, there are significant tasks whieh still need to be performed in several key areas. The rhetoric surrounding eaeh proposed model or projected timelines for building a Hawaiian nation has drowned out the voices and writings of thoughtful patriots. Emotion has been substituted for informed and objective discourse. A win-lose rather than a win-win dialogue has clouded the larger reality. OUR COMMON OUTCOME IS HAWAIIAN SELF-GOVERNANCE.

Regardless of the model we favor or avoid altogether,... to pursue a relationship with the national government, or operate at an international level, or transition into either or both later. this requires those with different perspectives and points of view to act according to the 'ōlelo: E 'imi kākou ma ka mea e ho'okahi ai ka mana'o 'ana. (Let's seek to unite our thoughts into one.) Hawaiians, as other indigenous peoples have done before us, ean succeed in shaping the future for generations to eome IF the majority of Hawaiians self-identify, for the record, by declaring "He Hawai'i au" (I am a Hawaiian); the majority of registered electorate elect 'aha representatives to deliberate on the form of governance and details of the organizing documents; a majority vote by the Hawaiian electorate ratifies the 'aha recommendations and elects government leaders to take the first steps; registered Hawaiians understand that citizenship in the Hawaiian nation ean co-exist with American citizenship;

Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike support efforts to ensure the survival of Hawaiian traditions, culture, natural resources and rights; the majority of Hawaiians believe that everyone (the proponents of the status quo; nation-with-in-nation; independence; royalists and others) should be part of the deliberations and building of the first simple steps of a nation; and the talent and numbers of Hawaiians, in Hawai'i and around the globe, recognize the urgency of Hawaiian survival issues and act accordingly; the opportunity for Hawaiians to meet in summit discussions continues to be facilitated by OHA; and benefit to unborn generations of Hawaiians is our shared goal. As kupunawahine Edith Kanaka'ole advised us many years ago, "E alu like mai kākou, e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i." (Let's work together people of Hawai'i.) IMUA! 37/48 ■

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Haunani Apoliona, MSW Trustee, At-large