Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2006 — MANU BOYD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MANU BOYD

Aloha kākou a pau loa e nā 'ōhua o kēia ulu manu e kaha mālie ana me ka ho'ola'i pū i ka pohu o Nā

Kai 'Ewalu. Mai Hawai'i nui o Keawe'īkekahiali'iokamoku a ka wai huna a ka pao'o i Lehua, kahi a ka lā e kā'ili 'ia mai, ke aloha nui nō kākou. Hiki mai, hiki mai ka lā hou! My name is Charles Albert Manu'aikohana Boyd, the son of James "Kimo" 'A'alapuna Boyd and Elizabeth-Anne Rabe. I was raised by my father and stepmother, Marian Kekaulike Lake. My 'ohana comes from throughout Hawai'i, particularly Honolulu, Maunawili and North Kohala, and includes Stewart, Harbottle, Adams, Davis, Cleghorn, Manu, Kawelo, Kapapahe'enalu and many more. I am a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, and the U.H. Mānoa Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, with an emphasis in eontemporary society. I am greatly encouraged by the many expressions of confidence and support for me to seek an at-large trustee position at OHA. This is an opportunity to bring many years of experience, cultural depth, informed decision making and Hawaiian intelligence to a key body of leaders and policy makers in Hawai'i. Hawai'i is our kulāiwi - our ancient homeland. In order that we honor our kūpuna, our contemporaries and future hanauna (generations), I strongly support those areas that define us as 'ōiwi in these islands: • Hawaiian language. Support existing public and private programs that foster 'ōlelo Hawai'i. The vast majority of our people don't speak Hawaiian because it was stripped from our world beginning in 1896. Let's enable our people to reclaim the most beautiful language on earth. • Hawaiian cultural practices. Loster learning of cultural practices that clearly defined the lifestyle of our grandparents and those before them: farming, fishing, weaving, carving, fiber arts, hula, oli, genealogy, stone work, feather work, navigation, healing, ho'oponopono, music and more. • Environmental integrity. Preserve the integrity of the forests, streams, shoreline, oeean, air and landscape. We live on islands with limited resources. Connection to our land is the core of our culture. • Economy. More job training, education and eeonomie development will allow our people to prosper in their homeland. We need controls on the heavy influx of settlers, and the disturbing exodus of 'ōiwi to the continent for more affordable conditions. • Indigenous status. I support state and federal legislation that afīirms onee and for all that the

races inhabiting Hawai'i prior to 1778 comprise the indigenous peoples of this land. For 2000 years, our culture and people have thrived - albeit with some interruptions. We are indigenous, aboriginal, līrst peoples - 'ōiwi Hawai'i. • Federal recognition. In order for this to be achieved, there needs to be an organized poliīieal body of Hawaiians of critical mass that the federal government ean recognize. We don't have one. For six years, federal legislation has dictated to us how that entity should be established, and who is Hawaiian. If an entity is truly required for federal recognition, I prefer we form our own. This is no easy task, for sure. I offer 14 years of OHA experience as culture specialist, publications editor and public information director. I have extensive community experience through the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, 'īlio'ulaokalani Coalition, Lālākea Foundation, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Aloha Festivals and more. I also sing, chant, dance and teach. This is my passion. Mahalo nui 'ia ko 'oukou aloha, ka hilina'i a me ke kāko'o 'ana mai. E holomua kākou e nā mamo a Hāloa. Aloha nō! www.manuboyd.com.

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