Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 10, 1 October 2005 — Be steadfast in our collective resolve in the face of falsehoods of opposition [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Be steadfast in our collective resolve in the face of falsehoods of opposition

Haunani Apoliona. MSW ChairpErsūn TrustEE, At-larga

Aloha e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, nā pulapula a Hāloa,

mai Hawai'i a Ni'ihau, puni ke ao mālamalama. E hana kākou me ke ahonui, pili me ka hā a ke aloha, 'oiai e kūlia i ka nu'u, a kau i ka 'iu o luna. Decision-making under that Capitol dome is approaching, and it will resound from Washington, D.C., and the eastern shores of the Atlantic to our Pacific homeland, and across the world. One by one, Native Hawaiians, across this great expanse, must also decide. Faced with questions of what do we do, how do we organize to be most effective not just for today but for the tomorrows of generations to eome. As Native Hawaiians we stand at the thresh-

old of change and challenge. As Native Hawaiian we have awesome and profound tasks going forward. We must confront the choices. Native Hawaiians must not shrink from our responsibility. Do not leave it to someone else. Or worse, not even care. We and our kūpuna have grieved for 112 years. In their stead, we now must act to design the next 112 years and beyond. Queen Lili'uokalani counseled, "the world ean not stand still. We must advance or recede. Let us advance together." Her message reminds us Native Hawaiians to be courageous in the face of change and uncertainty, to be discerning in the face of trials and tribulation, to be steadfast in the face of circumstances and obstacles nearly insurmountable, and to remain clear thinking and focused for the long term with humhle spirit and keen sensitivity and perspective. In 1917,

Lili'uokalani said, "I could not turn back the time for the politieal change." The queen knew that poliīieal change had eome to her people and her homeland. In 2005, we ean advance politieal change for the better. In recent months, pursuit of self-determina-tion by Native Hawaiians through the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 has driven well-financed and politi-cally-connected opponents, who have close ties to conservative papers throughout this country, to ignite litigation and fan the flames of fear in Hawai'i and elsewhere, alleging that Native Hawaiians are only after "gaming," are out to "balkanize" Hawai'i, out to divide our community, and pit neighbor against neighbor, family against family. These opponents further allege that Native Hawaiians scheme to "not pay taxes," "seize private land," "promote and market racial discrimination," "disregard law

and order," "be in violation of the Constitution" and "secede from the Union." All are falsehoods. Enough already. It is time for senators, representatives and the president to act. Our focus, our kūkulu kumuhana, will instill in eaeh of them the compassion, the resolve, the sense of justice and the integrity to vote 'ae on S. 147. On the day the vote is cast, from the north to the south, from the east to the west, across this country, let us focus our energy. Me ka mana 'o 'i'oo Lydia Lili'u Loloku Walania Kamaka'eha, ka Mō'īwahine 'o Lili'uokalani Me ka mana 'olana o ko kākou mau kūpuna a pau Me ka mana'o kūpa'a o ko kākou mau hoa kāko'o i kēia hana nui E ala kākou i ke kuleana Hawai'i Iā kākou e ho'ā i ka lama kūpono no nā Hawai'i

Iā kākou e holo pono a loa 'a e ka lei lanakila mai kēia hanauna a i nā hanauna aku Mai Hawai'i, ko kākou 'āina makuahine, a hiki Wakinekona, a puni ke ao mālamalama '0 ka Haku ho'ōla ko kākou kōkua With the faith of Queen Lili'uokalani With the hope of all our elders, both past and present With the resolve ofall who join together in this struggle Let us all awaken to the Native Hawaiian cause and responsibility For us to light theflame ofjustice for Native Hawaiians For us to work to advance and achieve victory in this generation andfor generations to eome From here in Hawai'i, our motherland, to Washington, D.C., and across this brilliant wor!d n/48 m

LEO 'ELELE • TRUSTEE M ESSAG ES