Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 1, 1 January 2005 — My thoughts on Hawaiian Homes, the Akaka Bill, Kau Inoa and the Hawaiian Registry [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

My thoughts on Hawaiian Homes, the Akaka Bill, Kau Inoa and the Hawaiian Registry

Abelated Mele Kalikimaka a me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, a mahalo aku nei iā 'oe. A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and a thank you all! I am truly honored to continue as a trusteefor the Office of Hawaiian affairs from the island of Hawai'i for another four years. At this point in time, I see Hawaiian history repeating itself. The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 as amended (HHCA) was created and adopted and approved in Congress, July 2, 1921. Before this act became law, many lobbying efforts were made by the Hawai'i delegation lead by Prince Kūhiō, John Wise and others.

I must now add a few comments that I ean remember from reading the Senate Hearings that finally became the HHCA: 1. Prince Kūhiō said, and I quote, "1/32 Hawaiian blood quantum," but Congress imposed the 50 percent Hawaiian blood quantum, and I quote: "we want to help the truly native Hawaiians." There were two purposes for the HHCA: A) to rehabilitate the Hawaiian and B) to rejuvenate the Hawaiian race. Prince Kūhiō said, and I quote: "Hawaiians are a dying race of people." Oh! I should mention, the Hawai'i delegation approved the HHCA; and so who were the opponents

against the HHCA? Hawaiians, time to do some homework. Now, what are we doing today that repeats Hawaiian history? Of course! Senate Bill 344, better known as the Akaka Bill. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees, (including me) and the Hawaiian benevolent societies and the Hawaiian civic clubs are for this bill, and other Hawaiian groups are against this bill. This time, thank goodness it is only Hawaiians involved to solve this problem. OHA is funding a great amount of kālā (money) to lobby in Washington, D. C., for the Akaka Bill - Senate Bill 344 and House Bill 4282. I went to

Washington, D. C., two times to lobby for these bills, yet, I must confess, I am still not sure how these bills will benefit us Hawaiians. I keep telling myself, "something is better than nothing." If someone were to ask me how mueh did OHA spend so far, I would have to answer, "I don't know." Another question, if someone were to ask me, what is the differenee between the Kau Inoa and the Hawaiian Registry? Again, I would have to answer, "I don't know." Would somebody help me out on this? Mahalo, a hui hou (thanks until we meet again). ■

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Linda Dela Cruz Trustee, Hawai'i