Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 11, 1 November 2004 — Documentary film and federal legislation shed light on the plight of Hawaiians [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Documentary film and federal legislation shed light on the plight of Hawaiians

Aloha kākou. With the recent delay in passage of the Akaka bill, Hawaiians have some time now to reflect upon the purpose of the bill and the future of Hawaiians: for what will help Hawaiians, will help Hawai'i and vice versa. The bill could have passed this session but for the decision of our congressional representatives that it would be better to have a bill pass on its own, after thorough review and opportunity for debate on the floor, rather than sneaking it by attached to an appropriations bill. Up until now the bill could not reach the floor for debate because of one senator who has now reversed his stance and seen fit to remove his hold on the bill for next year with the promise to support its routing to the senate floor where he will undoubtedly speak in opposition to it. Should the Akaka bill in its latest form reach the senate floor, the world will be witness to the plight

of Native Hawaiians historically and today, and better understand who we are, where we eame from, and what we seek to preserve and heeome. Along those lines but in a more artful and cultural setting, producer Edgy Lee recently presented a movie in Washington, D.C., entitled "The Hawaiians: Reflecting Spirit," whieh seeks in a small way to explain to the world what Hawaiians indeed are, and that we are an indigenous people whose roots reach deep back to our ancestors and our land. I am happy to have had some say in at least recommending that the narrator not be someone with a Caribbean accent and bass voice but better some kupuna with a deep resonance and calming tone. Ms. Lee selected the perfect person, Mrs. Winona Rubin, and everyone but one person who has seen the movie agrees that her voice is the perfect one for a movie of this import that will be shown to all the world.

As we think of who we are and where we want to be, let's not neglect the fact that few of us are the Hawaiians who were here before Captain Cook, but we are a mix of different races and cultures. For Hawaiians to abandon their other heritages for a stunted vision of "Hawaiians only" is to disparage and deny their non-Hawaiian ancestors who toiled long and hard for their posterity. Hawaiians today must consider too the other 80 percent of the population in Hawai'i who do not have the koko and accept that they are a part of the Hawai'i of today. What the Akaka bill seeks to establish is the restitution to and preservation of a race of people who were, as with all indigenous people, wrongfully deprived of their lands, their culture and their future, and to provide a framework from whieh we ean build and preserve our eulture for our posterity within the bounds of our constitution. This,

one might expect, would meet the approval of the Arakaki types who argue against Hawaiians because of the constitution, as well as the independents who gain something rather that nothing at all. But, alas, such is not the case. These vocal minorities will continue to bash OHA, the state and every organization that speaks up for the mainstream Hawaiians not only here in Hawai'i but on the mainland. Be advised, however, that OHA will remain firm and focused, and we will seek to fulfill our fiduciary responsibilities as trustees for all of our beneficiaries. The last two years have seen a positive change in the face of OHA and I look forward to the challenge of the next two years, for the life of our land will be perpetuated in the righteousness of our people. Hopefully our "Reflecting Spirit" will prevail for the benefit of our posterity. ■

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Boyd P. Mossman | Trustee, Maui ~