Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 7, 1 July 2008 — Ke Pā Moi Ko Makani Kūākino [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ke Pā Moi Ko Makani Kūākino

Aloha nui kākou e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino a puni ke ao mālamalama. Centered by the words of Kamehameha Pai'ea, 'a'ohe hope e ho'i mai ai, there is no retreat, our work in Hawai'i and across this continent continues. Nā 'ōiwi Hawai'i and kama'āina and malihini alike, traveled from Hawai'i, fromacross the continent, from western to eastern shores to join 'ohana, dignitaries and host group Hui Moku'āina Hawai'iMaWakinekona, D.C. (Hawai'i State Society of Washington, D.C.) for the annual rededication, lei draping and honoring of King Kamehameha at the U.S. Capitol. With increased attendance annually, this 39th year commemoration carried the message of "E Ho'okanaka Ke Pā Mai Ka Makani Kūākino," Stand Courageously Even As The Winds Of Transformation Blow." Remarks were shared by Senator Akaka, Congressman Abercrombie, Congresswoman Hirono, Congressman Faleomavaega and Mike Yuen (representing Senator Inouye). The following are excerpts from my remarks: Since April 15, 1969, this sentinel figure of Kamehameha the Great has stood here in this Rotunda, a silent but assertive presence for Hawai'i's plaee in the Union of States, educating multitudes about Hawai'i's unique history as a sovereign nation, governed by indigenous, native leaders, our Pacific Island homeland ... that is also the 50th State. It is an honor to join you at this 39th gathering and to note that since 2004 members of our Royal Societies - the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, the Royal Order of Kamehameha, the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu and the Hale o Nā Ali'i and the clubs of the Mainland Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs have sustained their supportive participation as well. Our simple, collective act of lei

draping in respect and tribute to our Kamehameha, Pai'ea, standing among other historic leaders of this nation, serves to renew the spirit and vision of indigenous Hawaiian leaders of the 2 1 st century to focus our energies toward Native Hawaiian self-determi-nation and unified governance. "Native Hawaiians in Hawai'i and those away from our Pacific Island homeland are challenged to build upon the best of the 19th century legacy of Kamehameha, shaping a governance and political structure balanced by our culture and tradition in the context of the 2 1 st century. To achieve significant movement forward, OHA has committed to two distinct but essential goals, both are intended to empower Hawaiians and to strengthen Hawai'i for us all, Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians. One goal, many of us know well is Kau Inoa - to plaee your name. Kau Inoa is a registry to bring together Native Hawaiians who want to participate in reorganizing a Native Hawaiian representative governing entity. In 2007, I reported to you 61,000 registrations, 12 months later for June 2008 I report to you 89,482 registrations representing those who are ready to move forward together. The second, separate, but equally important goal is enactment of S. 310/H.R. 505, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. The urgency for this federal policy remains compelling and has been in-focus for nearly 10 years; reconciliation with the indigenous native people of Hawai'i as yet is unfinished. We look forward to the 40th year commemoration in 2009 and prominent placement of Kamehameha in the U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center, at whieh we will gather. In the interim we will carry the image of Kamehameha, and our islands with us when the Hawai'i State Commemorative Quarter begins its national circulation in 2008. It will carry our imprinted State motto far and wide: 'Ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono,' the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. May this Hawaiian message, and the spirit of our ancestors, serve to light the way for all in the United States of America." 44/48 ^

LEO 'ELELE ■ TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Haunani Apuliuna. MSW Chairpersūn, TrustEE, At-large