CCN Meeting of Thursday, October 23, 2008
Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Annual Convention
Hilton Kauai Beach Hotel

After registering in Kau Inoa, how can I get involved in the process?

Each of the steps involves the establishment of an oversight committee or a commission. The steps remaining after Kau Inoa are:

Members of the Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian community who are interested in serving on these committees should contact OHA.

If OHA controls Kau Inoa, does it control everything?

OHA is not trying to control the process. OHA wants the Hawaiian community to step forward and drive the process. However, OHA is committed to assuring that the process is fair and includes all Native Hawaiians who want to participate. To be sure that everyone has a say in the process, encourage Native Hawaiian family and friends to register in Kau Inoa so they can become involved in the process.

I am a citizen of the United States and a Native Hawaiian. By signing up for Kau Inoa, does that mean that I have to choose between my U.S. citizenship and my Hawaiian citizenship? What will happen to my benefits?

No. You will not have to choose between being an American and being a Hawaiian. The creation of a Native Hawaiian governing entity will not affect your current status in any way. Whether or not you decide to join the new government, you would retain your American citizenship and your Hawaii state residency.

Kau Inoa divides Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians, sometimes in the same family. Why does Kau Inoa want to divide us?

Kau Inoa does not support a process which would divide families. Kau Inoa supports a process that allows Native Hawaiians to assert their inherent right to self-determination. By creating a process that will lead to a self-governing nation, Native Hawaiians will be able to strengthen their 'ohana and their communities because it is about justice.

If we are registered in one Hawaiian program, shouldn't we be recognized in others (DHHL, KS, OHA)? Why don't the different programs share information?

Different Hawaiian institutions keep registries for their specific needs, which vary according to the programs and services these institutions provide. Registries are kept confidential in order to protect the privacy of Hawaiians who are registered. Kau Inoa cooperates with DHHL, Kamehameha Schools, and OHA to make it easier for Hawaiians to verify their ancestry.

For more information, please see: www.kauinoa.org