Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — How do we Unite a Lāhui? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

How do we Unite a Lāhui?

With election season in full swing, I often ponder the question, "How do we unite a lāhui?" Certainly, this eolumn will fail to answer this question. Instead, I hope to inspire selfreflection and entice any kind of kōkua. I am a Trustee of an organization

tasked with bettering the lives of Native Hawaiians, but beyond that, I am a Hawaiian woman who has witnessed our trials and successes; determined to help us holomua. The notion that we all must agree on a definitive answer to this question is false. Ourpeople have long thrived with differences in opinion, staunchly fighting for their particular beliefs. So now, in 2016, where do we begin? How do we tackle contemporary issues while incorporating the increasingly relevant

and sustainable practices of the past? How do we ensure claims as a minority in our own 'āina? How do we heal our people and resources so that they ean onee again sustain one another? These tasks are difficult, but increasingly necessary on so many levels. For the most part, we ean agree on certain fundamental ideals. We want selfdetermination: the ability to practice our culture, to speak our language, 'āina to live on, cultivate food, quality heahh care and education for our people. The point of contention, however, is the avenue by whieh we arrive upon this destination. For years our people and leaders have disagreed on this path. Many advocate for "Federal Recognition" in whieh we engage with the federal government to officially protect our traditions and resources. On the opposite end of the spectrum, kānaka also want complete independence from the United States; pursuing this elaim internationally, as well. Pointing to the UNDRIP, models for Decolonization, and De-Occupation, these strategies are certainly applieahle and can/must be pursued.

On the other side of the eoin, however, the U.S. must be participants, who might also give weight to all of Hawai'i's populahon; of whieh, kānaka are a minority. Domestically, the State of Hawai'i and the U.S. have seemingly made attempts to extend an olive branch with the intention of creating a relationship that is desired

by and works for kānaka; often times missing the mark with those who believe that state and federal money should not contribute to the process. As is, we carefully navigate the house of cards that has withstood consistent attacks on Native Hawaiian programs that are charged as being race-based. Lawmakers and politicians are written off as disconnected "sell outs" and frustrated kānaka are disregarded as "uninformed"; but perhaps we misunderstand the intricacies of one another's role;

perhaps we must emphasize more eommon ground. Historically, our people have engaged in the process, bringing with them a weahh of ancestral knowledge upon whieh they stood firmly (think Hui Aloha 'Āina and the Home Rule Party; or Wilcox). Perhaps, what we must do in 2016 is something we have always done: look to historical examples. We must embody the ideals and traditions upheld by our practices, building upon that to be successful in contemporary times. Instead of finding enemies, may we sit down, challenge one another's mana'o, informing one another's opinion to finding solutions, and then continue working together to implement these solutions? I extend this invitation to all willing to work together and also encourage others to develop an opinion. Visit mooaupuni. org to learn more. It is a delicate halanee to achieve, but ultimately, we must transcend contemporary politics, arriving in a plaee where we are no longer struggling to simply survive; but where our lāhui again thrives in our own 'āina. ■

LEO 'ELELE TRUSTEE MESSSAGES

Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey TrustEE, Maui