Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 9, 1 September 2009 — Hawaiʻi ... in the eye of the State, Nation and World [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiʻi ... in the eye of the State, Nation and World

Aloha e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, nā pulapula a Hāloa, mai Hawai'i a Ni'ihau a puni ke ao mālamalama. Hawai'i is in the "eye" of the State, the Nation and the World. In the State, voices of diverse opinion are raised, pro and eon, regarding the entry of Hawai'i into the Union of 50. State status affirms a few facts, regardless of opinion. If Hawai'i were not a State, there would be no State Constitution with the Preamble that reads, "We the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage and uniqueness as an island State, dedicate oiu efforts to fulfill the philosophy decreed by the Hawaii State motto, 'Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.' We reserve the right to eontrol our destiny, to nurture the integrity of our people and culture, and to preserve the quality of hfe that we desire. We reaffirm our belief in a govermnent of the people, by the people and for the people, and with an understanding and compassionate heart toward all the peoples of the earth, do hereby ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Hawaii." There would be no Article X, section 4 stating, "The State shall promote the study of Hawaiian eulture, history and language. The State shall provide for a Hawaiian education program eonsisting of language, culture and history in the public schools. The use of community expertise shall be encouraged as a suitable and essential means in furtherance of the Hawaiian education program." There would be no Article XII, sections 4, 5, 6 establishing the Public Land Trust, establishing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and its Board of Trustees with Constitutional duties and with authority to exercise power as provided by law; nor would there be Article XII section 7 affirming traditional and cus-

tomary rights, wherein "the State affirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes and possessed by ahupua'a tenants who are descendants of Native Hawaiians and who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778, subject to the right of the State to regulate such rights." No Article XV section 4 would exist, stating, "English and Hawaiian shall be the official languages of Hawaii, except that Hawaiian shall be required for public acts and transactions only as provided by law." Future leaders may feel they ean do better, only time will tell. Leaders of our times must ensure these current Constitutional rights do not unravel. In the Nation, at the Nation's Capitol in August 2009, the hearing in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee was concluded for S. 1011. In lune 2009, the hearing in the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources was concluded for H.R. 2314. Hawai'i and Native Hawaiians now await final House and Senate action, this summer, and President Obama's signature, this year. In the World, Hawai'i awaits approval of the "United States of America's Nomination of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument for Inscription on the World Heritage List." Review and visitation to Papahānaumokuākea is underway by representatives of the United Nations, UNESCO. Additional review and determination will be eoncluded before July 2010 with announcement at a world meeting in Brazil. The 280-page application document, prepared by the State of Hawai'i, National Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Papahānaumokuākea is excellent. It is an extraordinary account worthy for use by any educational or learning community. In the words of a Native Hawaiian practitioner, "Papahānaumokuākea represents one of Hawai'i's last remaining 'āina momona ... places of abundance." World expectations run high for Hawai'i. 9/48 ■

LEO 'ELELE ■ TRUSTEE M ESSAG ES KAWAIOLA ĪHE LIVING WATER 0F OHA

Haunani Apnlinna, MSW ChairpErsnn, TrustEE, At-largE