Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 8, 1 August 2015 — WORKING TO FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WORKING TO FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND

Aloha mai kākou, "Not too sweet, not too rancid but just right."

— Aunty Manalani in Rap Reipīinger's "Aunty Manaīani Cooks" Our community today, unlike fine wine, isn't aging well. Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians seemmore polarized. We're yelling at eaeh other a lot. We're saying those who disagree are wrong. Indulge me for a moment as I let you in on a secret: there is no stereotypical Hawaiian. There is no single Hawaiian opinion. As a people, Hawaiians are as complex as everyone else. These days, we are talking in extremes. When we discuss governance for our people, it is either federal recognition or independence. There isn't a middle ground. But there should be. What does governance mean to a family of four, scraping by, a paycheck away from homelessness? What does it mean for our kūpuna, counting on their pension and Social Security to thrive during their golden years? Why can't we explore what it means to real people with real problems? When we look at Mauna Kea, why can't we embrace the breadth of ideas on defending our customary rights and practices and enter into diplomatic negotiations? There has to be a plan or at least a discussion about the next steps. From no telescopes to some telescopes; no stewardship to better stewardship; no discussions to more diplomatic talks among the state, UH and the protectors. And what if we stopped throwing rocks at eaeh other, stopped yelling across the table and agreed to disagree? What if, for onee, we agreed to put our lāhui first? Just perhaps, perhaps we could stop airing our dirty laundry in public and could eome out with one voice, one message. It will not only take tremendous pahenee but courage by 2 our community leaders to do so. It will also take discipline and more of us taking up the kuleana as critical thinkers, facilitators of the issues and solutions. We need more bridge builders, with more people

looking at the bigger picture with clearer vision and hope for our people. Why can't we build bridges with a foundation of our culture and history? And why can't these bridges build a better future? We ean. We ean draw on our collective wisdom to take the long view. We ean make decisions based on what's best for the next generation, even if we need to put aside our own wants and desires. We ean and must bring to the table possibilities on how to make Hawai'i better for everyone. The answer can't be "no." It must be, "How ean we make this a better plaee for everyone?"

We must be more statesmanlike. Our kūpuna as well as other contemporary leaders were true poliheal ambassadors who were bridges. Pillars like Kauikeaouli, Lili'uokalani, Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole, Aunty Frenchy DeSoto, Pinky Thompson and George Helm. And their contemporaries, such as Hiram Fong, Patsy Mink, former Govs. John Burns, George Ari-

yoshi and John Waihe'e III as well as the late Sen. Daniel Inouye and retired Sen. Daniel Akaka. They were all about respect and honor not only for Hawaiians but for all who lived in Hawai'i. Sometimes, wisdom comes from unexpected places. I opened this message with a quote from Rap Reiplinger. In that simple statement, he said the sweet spot is in the middle. Hawaiians are on both sides of all issues we take on. There isn't a simple answer, so we need to find a way to eome together in the middle. We need to understand this isn't a question of either/or. It is a quesL tion of how all of us together ean build bridges and find a long-term V solution to our problems. M Enough throwing rocks. We must stop perpetuating problems. We ^ must eome together to work out solutions. 'O au iho nō me ke aloha a me ka 'oia'i'o,

Kamana'opono M. Crabbe, Ph.D. ' Ka Pouhana/Chief Executive Officer