Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2010 — Cultivating unity, one step at a time [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Cultivating unity, one step at a time

/A no'aikākou, / \ I wish to eom- / \ mend the ī^^ \ organizers

ī \and participants of the recent 'Aha Kāne Conference held at Windward Community College this past June for a most interesting and inspiring combination of culture, history and knowledge. I had not only the opportunity to attend and learn but meet many there who

have studied and practiced various cultural skills and preserved them forposterity. These practitioners preserve not only the practices of our ancestors, but carry on their knowledge and pride in being Hawaiian. At the conference I participated in the opening protoeol, whieh lasted several hours, and observed the island delegations' chanting and performances along with the 'awa ceremony. I was proud to be with the Maui group led by Kyle Nakanelua and Keeaumoku Kapu and to stand side by side with Kaleikoa Kaeo, my erstwhile antagonist when it comes to federal recognition. Indeed, Andre Perez, someone I had detennined not to associate with in the future in view of his past conduct and disruptive behavior, eame up to me at the conference and apologized after whieh I accepted and marveled at how the fact that we share a eonunon bond through our ancestors could overcome, in time, the sometimes intense disagreements between us. Surely we will continue to disagree, but because of this bond whieh was cultivated and developed at the conference even more, we ean know that there is strength in unity, strength in understanding and strength in upholding our traditions, beliefs and our culture. Along those lines I have been meeting regularly with a small group of individuals who oppose federal recognition but who also recognize that we still ean agree to some things if only because of our

eoneein and love for our people. As a result we are hopeful that by starting small we ean progress to bigger and

better projects whieh would benefit Hawaiians as well as others in Hawai'i and even more. To begin with we are working to create a Hawaiian calendar of events and activities that will be accessible to all on the OHA web site and whieh will include input from all Hawai-

ian organizations. Not to say that there are not already other calendars out there, but a central location for all Hawaiian events to be calendared would provide easy access to all Hawaiians to find out what is being planned and important dates for them to know. We have other projects in mind, perhaps the most expensive one being the establishment of a repository or library of Hawaiian writings, documents and paraphernalia up to the present time where research and history could be acconunodated. As with Kaleikoa and Andre, I believe it is possible and should be further developed, to create a relationship of trust and mutual understanding while working hand in hand with those whom we may vehemently disagree, to provide for the betterment of the Hawaiian people. True, it may be easier said than done but my experience thus far demonstrates that it is very possible. By the time you read this, it will be September and Congress will be starting back soon. The Akaka Bill has its best shot ever but will face difficulty finding time on the Senate floor in order to get to the House floor before the end of the session. Failure to do so will likely kill the bill and the prospects of success in the future in light of the coming elections do not look rosy; however, as my son's undefeated Maui High football team in 1989 would cheer, "never surrender." And so, we holomua and hope for the best. ■

Boyd P. Mūssman TrustEE, Maui