KA LEO KAIĀULU - LETTERS

Ka Leo Kaiāulu

OHA reserves the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right not to print any submission. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Letters cannot be published unless they include a telephone contact for verification. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email kwo@oha.org.

Hawaiian nation

This is a response to the remarks made by OHA Trustee Boyd P. Mossman in his July Ka Wai Ola column titled “Upholding the Constitution while working for the Hawaiian nation.”

Trustee Mossman cited three things in his column: permission, support and government. His obscure views demonstrate why the Native Hawaiians convey no confidence with the Office of Hawaiians Affairs.

First off, as any Nation is required to do, is declare itself, perhaps the Trustee would familiarize himself with America's Declaration of Independence to see how it distinguished itself from Britain?

Second, OHA's creation and funding of Kau Inoa, in which Hawaiians can identify themselves to vote is also something he should pay attention to, for it's not just an American requirement, it is a system used worldwide as an element of Nationhood. Groups like Reinstated Hawaiian Government have been using the same criteria for 10 years now and no doubt it gave rise to Kau Inoa.

Lastly, the Lawful Government of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, which to date has been proven to be still in existence by the same country that overthrew it is the only Government that has a claim to jurisdiction over the Hawaiian Islands. OHA's years of willful blind-sided persistence in pursuing a federal relationship has amounted in countless millions “being squandered” as the only remedy, without a doubt exposes their true intentions, to make the overthrow legal. If not, OHA would sponsor an international symposium on the reinstatement of the Hawaiian Kingdom under International Law. It should have been done many years ago and would have been a mere fraction the cost of federal recognition lobbying.

But rather than even exploring the possibility of JUSTICE, a take it or leave it attitude is implied toward the people it claims to represent while uttering God Bless America? Is this style of leadership a good example for our people, our children? I say the Hawaiian Nation is and deserves all the facts and way better.

Kealii Makekau
Honolulu, O'ahu

Who's behind anti-rail?

Recently it's come to the community's attention that some of the most vocal anti-rail activists are also members of the Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i.

Is this important information for Hawaiians to know? Absolutely. Because some of the folks who are out there saying they want a voice for the public on the rail issue are the same ones who belong to an organization that doesn't believe in programs for Native Hawaiian health and education. They don't support the Akaka Bill and they have a history of opposing any and all efforts that afford our people redress for the historical wrongs we have suffered.

These folks are also claiming that rail is bad and using cars is good. That our community can't afford to pay for mass transit, but we as individuals can afford to pay $5 for a gallon of gas and $8 to use a toll road. These people don't understand why their tax dollars should go to support a rail system that won't go to East Honolulu or the Windward side – but they don't complain at all when all of their 'ōpala comes to our end of the island.

Rail transit will help working families make their dollars go further. It will help people who live on O'ahu's West side have commutes that are reliable and predictable. A rail system will help to preserve our 'āina and bring economic vitality to our island.

So stop and think the next time you're approached by the Stop Rail Now folks – and ask them about the Grassroot Institute. You can tell a lot about people by the company they keep.

A. Frenchy De Soto
Makaha, O'ahu

Water kuleana

Mahalo to the Maui County Department of Water Supply for hosting the West Maui Water Advisory committee on July 16. I really appreciated the inclusive way that the meeting was facilitated. The 20-year Water Master plan for Maui is the most important plan that we can work on. It doesn't matter what gets approved where if there is no water.

The state water code recognizes that Hawai'i waters are held for the benefit of Hawai'i citizens, who are beneficiaries and have a right to have the waters protected for their use. The water code does not abridge or deny the traditional and customary rights of ahupua'a tenants who are descendants of Native Hawaiians.

These rights include the cultivation and propagation of kalo on one's own kuleana land, the gathering of hīhīwai, 'ōpae, 'o'opu, limu, ti, thatch, aho cord and medicinal plants for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes.

I would like to see riparian rights (the right of a landowner on the bank of a watercourse relating to the use and ownership of stream water) restored to all kuleana tenants within the next 20 years. The Kuleana Act recognizes that landowners have a right to use water flowing on their land WITHOUT PREJUDICING others' riparian rights to the natural flow of the watercourse. So I will definitely be on the lookout for the Department of Water Supply's next meeting as I believe Maui's water future will depend on input given from the local community that attends these meetings. I encourage all concerned about the future of water (or lack thereof) on Maui to attend committee meetings held in your district.

Tamara Paltin
Lahaina, Maui

'Ōlelo Hawai'i

Our kūpuna would be so proud to see that more and more students are learning our language. We are approaching the point when any Hawaiian high school student can take Hawaiian through the many public school, charter school, immersion, private school and online methods available.

Now we need to further encourage students who are learning and preserving our language so tied to our family genealogies. One step that could be taken would be for Hawaiian entities such as OHA, Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaiian Civic Clubs to reward students who speak or study Hawaiian by providing college scholarships. A number of Indian tribes already do something similar with their scholarship programs. For them it is an issue of asserting sovereignty through their languages.

In many European countries, most high school graduates have studied their national language for 12 years, English for six years and several years of a third language. We can gradually move toward that model for Hawaiian children as well.

It took vision for Hawaiian language pioneers like John Keola Lake of Saint Louis to get Hawaiian to be offered in high schools. Similar vision to integrate study of Hawaiian into scholarship programs would further move the language forward.

D. Kanoelani Kawai'ae'a
Hilo, Hawai'i

Pacific Northwest

With a background of tall ships including the ketch Hawaiian Chieftain in the City of Victoria's Inner Harbour in British Columbia, a small group of volunteers provided information to the public on the history of Hawaiians to the Northwest coast of North America.

Formed for the visit of the Tall Ships and the corresponding four-day Multicultural Festival in June, “Hawaiians Remembered” included families of the Mahoe 'Ohana of Vancouver Island and published authors on Hawaiians to the Northwest.

The people we spoke to were very interested in knowing about the historical presence of Hawaiians here. While many had heard about the settlement of Hawaiians to the local Gulf Islands in the 1800s, they were in general not familiar with other locations of settlement or the reasons they left Hawai'i.

To increase that awareness, Hawaiians Remembered had a display that included pictures of Hawaiians, their families, a timeline of events and place names that included Kanaka Bay, Kanaka Bar and Kanaka Prairie. We were very fortunate to have Jean Barman and Bruce Watson, authors of the book Leaving Paradise available to provide in-depth information when needed.

We spoke with hundreds of people. Our goal was to educate the public, and by the numbers we spoke with and the enthusiasm received, our goal was accomplished.

Larry Bell
Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Notice to Readers Ka Wai Ola o OHA will accept for consideration news releases and letters to the editor on topics of relevance and interest to OHA and Hawaiians, as well as special events and reunion notices. Ka Wai Ola o OHA reserves the right to edit all material for length and content, or not to publish as available space or other considerations may require. Ka Wai Ola o OHA does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Deadline for submissions is the 15th day of every month. Late submissions are considered only on a space-available basis.