Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 7, 1 July 2016 — Young Hawaiians M a sense of community at the United Nations [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
Young Hawaiians M a sense of community at the United Nations
By Dave Dondoneau When it comes to the struggle of maintaining traditions, the language and the 'āina, Hawaiians ean sometimes feel as if, well, they're alone on an island when fighting their battles. "It's tough sometimes because we're isolated in the middle of the Pacific but then you eome here andrealize there is a huge network of indigenous people willing to collaborate from all over the world and you realize we're not going at it alone," said Jacob Aki, 21. "This is the type of work you have to be consistent at and keep at it. You have to be in this for the long run to make a difference." The "here" Aki was referring to is in New York at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that was held May 9-20. Aki and 20-year-old Hau'olihiwahiawa Moniz were the youngest members of a delegation from the University of
Hawai'i Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies. It was the first experience with the United Nations for both, and eaeh made an impact with their five-minute speeches, whieh also left them impacted by the overall experience. "It was mind-blowing to meet all these people fromplaces I've never even imagined or heard of," Moniz said. "I met people
from totally different walks of life but found out we share so mueh in eommon with what we're all going through with many of the same issues. It's a big world, but you realize how small it is, too. I just loved it. I felt like I was among family." For the past 15 years the annual forumhas brought indigenous peoples from around the world together and this year's
main theme was "Indigenous Peoples: Conflict, Peaee and Resolution." Other pertinent topics for indigenous peoples were covered as well. Moniz gave a passionate speech regarding the need for traditional modes of learning for Hawaiians who want to raise their keiki in Hawaiian culture and language. She requested the Special Rapporteur eome to Hawai'i to view the laek of accessibility to traditional teachings, and they got to meet with her following her speech. "To be honest her speech was one of the best of the two weeks we were there," Aki said. "She spoke with such passion it moved me." Many of the speakers talked of de-colonization and the right for indigenous peoples to eontrol their own decisions. Moniz was passionate about wider access to learning Hawaiian culture and language in puhlie schools. "When I speak I look at the seven generations before me and the seven generations after and how it will affect them," Moniz said. "What do I want for my nieces and nephews? What did my parents want for me and how heartbroken were SEE UNITED NATI0NS ON PAGE 19
Front Row (L to R): Iwalani Kuali'i-Kaho'ohanohano, Hau'olihiwahiwa Moniz, Jacob Bryan Ka'ōmakaokalā Aki, Kameha'ikū Camvel, Amy Kalili. Back Row (L to R)- Christopher Kuaiwa, Keali'i Gora, Adrian Kamali'i. - Courtesy Photo
they that they couldn't get the schooling they wanted for me? "The biggest thing I took away was a sense of community. There were people from places I never heard of and battling the same challenges I face. It made me feel re-energized and like my soul was refreshed." Aki broke his speech into two parts. He first proposed that the Forum work with UNESCO on the expansion of schools that utilize indigenous language immersion and culture-based curricula, but he ended with a rousing plea to protect Mauna Kea, whieh made the Forum's hnal report. "The goal when you eome is to get into that hnal report and after I spoke I had people coming up and asking for copies of my speech," Aki said. "It was just an amazing experience. You have world leaders and regular people all there. It was such an honor and I can't wait to go back next year." Both Aki and Moniz are entering their senior year and looking to get into law school at UH so they ean eonhnue to fight for Hawaiian rights.
Adrian Kamali'i, president and chief — consultant for Pae 'Āina Communica_tions, was part of the contingent that represented the Hawai'i group. He was also at the first forum and said he likes what he saw at the latest one. "I am so impressed with Jacob and Hau'olihiwahiwa," Kamali'i said. "They were committed to representing the Paeihe in the Intemational Youth Caucus. Everyday they were working on something, building relationships and connections. While progress at the UnitedNations may be slow at times, the benefit of diplomacy is a unique ability to build and grow relationships. "Fifteen years ago I attended the very first United Nations' Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, I am content in knowing there continues to be young, smart, eapahle and eommitted individuals. Jacob and Hau'oli worked very hard to include relevant and important information to Hawai'i and Kānaka Hawai'i into interventions presented by both the Paeihe Caucus and the International Youth Caucus." ■ Dave Dondoneau, afreelance writer, is afortner editor and reporterfor the Honolulu Advertiser.
UNIĪEP NATIONS Continued from page 5