Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2004 — Unique opportunity for Hawaiians to build up -- not tear down -- our future [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Unique opportunity for Hawaiians to build up -- not tear down -- our future

Aloha kākou. I write after attending the hearing at federal court in th e Arakaki v. Lingle lawsuit brought by plaintiffs seeking to dismantle OHA and any right to continued preferences by the government to Native Hawaiians. Besides confirming her dismissal of the three partHawaiian plaintiffs - Arakaki, Burgess and Scaff - from the lawsuit based on laek of standing, Judge Mollway indicated that she was leaning towards granting the Motion to Dismiss brought by OHA against the Plaintiffs and subsequently did. Now Hawaiians need to work harder to seal this victory and preclude further attacks against Hawaiians and Hawaiian rights. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the trustees of the Kamehameha Schools, Lili'uokalani Trust, Queen Emma Trust and representatives of the State Hawaiian Homes Associations and Department

of Hawaiian Home Lands, for taking the time to join with some of the OHA trustees at Mauna 'Ala prior to the court hearing for a spiritual moment in time when we were able to unite in memory of our ali'i and look forward with a renewed energy to perpetuating their legacies. This preparation prior to the court hearing was a simple but meaningful way to eall upon our ancestors and our God for their assistance to our attorneys and the court in achieving a fair result. Next I wish to thank the many who in their red shirts fronted the federal court building to demonstrate their support for Hawaiians and their eoneem for the future well-being of the Hawaiian people. Your willingness to be seen and heard and your dedication to things Hawaiian are to be commended. At the hearing the court repeated at least seven times that the Akaka Bill whieh is in congress was a key

component to OHA's argument that the issue was a political and not a racial one. The fact that the bill is not yet passed was pointed out by the court and a clear indication given that for OHA and Native Hawaiians to prevail in the courts in the future, passage of the bill was a key to success. This clear-cut commentary from the court should impress upon all Hawaiians the need for S.344. Without it, our arguments are hollow and laek the substance necessary for the courts to be able to decide in favor of keeping Hawaiian preferences, entitlements, and rights intact. As OHA begins to help facilitate the community's creation of a Hawaiian governing entity, it will need the support of all Hawaiians. We all need to make choices in life, and now is the time to choose to be a part of the rebirth of a Hawaiian Nation by 1) enrolling to vote 2) voting for

delegates to a constitutional convention or 'aha 3) voting to accept the organic documents and 4) voting for the leaders of the newly formed Hawaiian Government. To decline to vote or participate because you are nuha or disgusted or whatever, would seem to be to deny your heritage and history in favor of other agendas whieh will not secure our culture, today or tomorrow. This is a unique and rare opportunity for Hawaiians to eome together and to build up, not tear down, our resources and 'ohana. For those who acknowledge their heritage, both Hawaiian and American, and grasp reality, I submit that this is the only way for us to survive and succeed together. Hawai'i and its Hawaiians need you and your family and friends to get involved in a positive and not 'a'ama way. May Akua be with you in your efforts. Mahalo nui loa. ■

RNfe

Boyd P. Mossman Trustee, Maui