Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 5, 1 May 2004 — Entities promoting Hawaiian culture and ancestral knowledge will fortify nation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Entities promoting Hawaiian culture and ancestral knowledge will fortify nation

Aloha kākou, While the world reels and swirls in the midst of international conflict and political turmoil, we still await action on the Akaka bill in Congress and wonder whether it will ever eome to pass. For Hawaiians, this would restore recognition by the United States of us as an indigenous people, not as an independent country, but nevertheless due the rights and privileges of the other two indigenous peoples of the United States. Albeit there are those who eomplain that we will heeome servants of the Department of Interior, there will never be absolute perfection in any form of self determination given to any group of people. Better we end up with our own unique form of self government, than nothing at all. And so, if all Hawaiians would recognize that their future and that of their posterity ean be secured with federal recognition even though it may not provide all that we might want, that the Akaka bill is the only practical mechanism for us to create our own governing entity, that rather than eomplain,

criticize, put down, and rant about how bad the bill is, Hawaiians should embrace a golden opportunity whieh may never present itself again, and that this is the best opportunity we have to prevail in the United States Supreme Court, then maybe we ean move forward as one. The vocal opposition to the bill has the benefit of the United States Constitution to expose its views and should not forget the freedoms we have because of that document. Indeed we fail too often to recognize the many benefits we have received over the last century because we have had the privilege of being Americans as well as Hawaiians. Bitterness, distrust, and disgust are attitudes that do not contribute to a better status for Hawaiians. We need to work within the system and use it to our best advantage, not outside the system hoping for some international intervention of sorts whieh ean only be to our disadvantage. Hawaiians are and always have been a unique people in the world, distinguishable from any other group or civilization including our

Polynesian cousins. We are the indigenous people of our islands and the host culture. Our ancestors were a highly civilized people whose talents, knowledge, skills, and organizational structure are being recognized more and more today. The remnants of the culture continue today but are slowly disappearing. Thanks to modern Hawaiian scholars, to cultural specialists, to hālau hula and events such as the Merrie Monarch Festival, to Hawaiian civic organizations, to the Ali'i trusts and OHA, to businesses and industries with a focus on our culture, we Hawaiians ean preserve and share some of what our ancestors knew and practiced. In that regard, may I close in recognizing the 12th Annual Celebration of the Arts whieh was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kapalua April 8-11 thanks again to the Ritz and cultural advisor, Cliff Nae'ole. I was privileged to attend and experience with many others, some who have been attending for many years with their families, the hands on displays of crafts from

island basketry to papa hōlua and pahu drum making. The Hawaiian artists, performers, and specialists present included some of Hawai'i's best such as Joanne KahanamokuSterling, Keola Sequeira, Calvin Hoe, Kathleen 'Aiwohi, 'īleialoha Beniamina, Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla, Charles Ka'upu, Kapulani Landgraf, Cy Bridges, George Nā'ope, Nona Beamer, George Holokai, Sabra Kauka, Likeke Paglinawan, Noelani Māhoe, Kaha'i Topolinski, Keone Kalawe, Keoni Turalde, Anthony Delos Reyes, Richard Ho'opi'i, Peter Apo, Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa, Keali'i'olu'olu Gora, Don Ho, Maunalua, Kuleana, Henry Kapono and others too numerous to list here. Bottom line: events such as this deserve the support of Hawaiians and the Ritz Carlton should be commended for offering this special event eaeh year for us to learn, enjoy, and experience. Check it out next year during Easter weekend. Call Cliff Nae'ole for information at 808-669-1800. ■

Boyd P. Mossman Trustee, Maui