Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 7, 1 July 2015 — LSSONS IN HISTORY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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LSSONS IN HISTORY

Aloha mai kākou,

What do we know about history? Or, better yet, what do I know about the history of the Hawaiian people? Today, I am Ka Pouhana, the chief executive of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. But for those in my generation, those who eame before me and those in the current generation, our understanding of our collective history is confounding. There are a lot of misunderstandings. There are a lot of facts that have been misconstrued over the years. It's no one's fault; and yet everyone's fault. Our history defines us; yet it doesn't dictate our next move. In the true sense of self-determination, OHA was approached by many in the community to set the record straight on our history. And so we present a new video, Pa 'a Ke Aupuni, an animated history. (See story on page 16.) It is an accurate, fact-based depiction of the cultural and political history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the society that existed from the time of Kamehameha the Great until the last reigning monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani. It is the untold history that many people, Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike, were not taught in our puhlie and private education systems. Yet over the years, this narrative has heeome more accepted as the true history of Hawai'i. Pa 'a Ke Aupuni fills a gap in education. It lets everyone know that Hawaiians were leaders. And they embraced the principles

of political self-governance. They were leaders far ahead of their time. In our times, we fall back on facts and data as did our ali'i. And that's why this film is important. It isn't about feeling sorry for ourselves; it is about empowering our lāhui. It is about opening doors for our future leaders, because you must understand our history before you ean take the next step forward. Many will ask, what does this mean for self-determination; what does this mean for a new nation? For me, it sets a foundation. Where do we go from here? I have my own opinions and preferences, and while I will be part of the conversation, it isn't my plaee to decide. The ultimate decisions will be a collective one for all of us to make together. What is clear is our ancestors were innovators. Agree or disagree with the steps they took, they did what they did with the hope that a vital and productive Hawaiian nation would emerge. We are here to take the next step. I hope you will join me on this journey. 'O au iho nō me ke aloha a me ka 'oia'i'o, Kamana'opono M. Crabbe, Ph.D. Ka Pouhana/Chief Executive Officer

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