Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 9, 1 September 2014 — LEGAL MILESTONES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LEGAL MILESTONES

By Garett Kamemoto For the past 40 years, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. has been fighting to preserve Native Hawaiian rights. So mueh so that in some circles, its attorneys could be viewed as troublemakers. Executive Director Moses Haia III under-

stands that point of view, but . s a y s , ^ "I see my self as, rather than an obstruction-

ist, someone who is actually trying to make life better for everybody." And on the organization's 40th anniversary, it is looking to evolve. Litigation over native rights is still the focus, but Haia envisions the corporation will heeome more of a resource for the community. "What I envision becoming is that we are approachable and we in turn are able to approach others and engage businesses and they are able to engage us, talk to us so that there is this bridge that we're able to both walk on to the other side," Haia said. He said by sitting down and talking, the organization could reach win-win solutions with someone who might otherwise be an adversary. Why take this step? Haia said it comes back to being Hawaiian. "Hawaiians take responsibility for the part we

play in any pilikia, any problem," he said, and instead of pointing fingers at what others do, this is an opportunity to take more responsibility to protect Hawaiian rights. Haia believes everyone here has the same goal: to preserve the best

Hawai'i has to offer. He recalled watching people get on a plane to Hawai'i in Chicago. "You could just sense every single person getting on the plane coming to Hawai'i was thinking, 'This is going to be one of the best

experiences in my life,' " Haia said. "And some of the stereotypes are why they think that, but those stereotypes are built on something that's deeper, its kind of spiritual kind of thing, there is this essence here that started that. So that's what we want to save." He said onee people reach that eommon understanding, it may be easier to solve any problems. The corporation is also seeing a new frontier in the work it does. It is increasingly getting involved beyond the courtroom, addressing traditional practices in contemporary institutions. According to Litigation Director Sharla Manley, one example is hospitals' treatment of 'iewe, referring to the traditional practice of cleaning and burying a child's placenta. She said the corporation is looking for solutions for "ensuring there is a way to accommodate the traditional practice of burying the 'iewe rather than classifying it as hazardous waste." She said the intersection between traditional practices and contemporary institutions will heeome more important: from allowing traditional practices in prison to ensuring Hawaiian children placed in foster care are not separated from their homeland. Most of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp.'s funding comes from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, though some comes from the state. To mark the 40th anniversary, the corporation will hold a fundraiser on Oct. 4 at the

Ko'olau Ballrooms. It will use the opportunity to connect with new friends and old supporters and build some bridges for the future. "We're going to give thanks for the privilege we have in doing this work and recommit ourselves to eontinuing this kuleana," Haia said. ■

40th anniversary celebration

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. is inviting the puhlie to a celebration marking its four decades of service to the Hawaiian community. The event takes plaee at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Grand Ballroom of the Ko'olau Ballrooms, 45-550 Kiona'ole Road in Kāne'ohe. Tickets are $100 per person and table sponsorships are available by calling (808) 521-2302 or emailing info@nhlchi.org. The late Jon Van Dyke, a former NHLC board memberand Universityof Hawai'i law professor, will be honored for his life's work. The night includes dinner, silent auction and entertainment by Amy Hānaiali'i and Kainani Kahaunaele. Paula Akana is the emeee. Aloha or business casual attire is recommended. RSVP by Friday, Sept. 12 by calling 521-2302 or visiting nhlchi.org/events.

Moses Haia is the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. executive director,- Photo: Fmncine Murmy