Defense Department releases draft protocol for Native Hawaiian consultation

Comment urged by Dec. 8,
meetings planned for November

By T. Ilihia Gionson / Ka Wai Ola

The U.S. Department of Defense has released a draft protocol to guide the department and branches of the military in consulting with Native Hawaiian organizations and individuals on proposed actions that may affect cultural properties, resources and practices. Comments are sought by Dec. 8 and meetings are tentatively planned for the week of Nov. 16-22.

OHA Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o urges comments on the draft protocol from Hawaiian organizations, families and individuals before Dec. 8.

Nāmu'o points out that this protocol is different because it brings consistency in consultation across military branches, significantly increases emphasis on early and frequent communication between Department of Defense and the Hawaiian community to effectively achieve outcomes that satisfy both the department and Hawaiians, who work to maintain and sustain Hawaiian cultural sites and practices, preserve historic points of interest and respectfully care for iwi.

This approach has been working with American Indians and Alaska Natives, and OHA believes it can help to prevent poor planning and lack of cultural awareness or insensitivity motivated by expediency that has resulted in community kaumaha, loss of important cultural areas, disrespect of ancestral remains, litigation, costly changes and delays.

The Deparment of, which uses about a quarter of the land on O'ahu as well many areas on the neighbor islands, has come under fire repeatedly for being insensitive to Native Hawaiian concerns.

Under the protocol, consultation may be used for land cleanup, new construction, modification of training sites, the management of properties of religious and cultural importance, the protection of sacred sites, and the disposition of cultural items.

The draft protocol sets definitions for which Native Hawaiian organizations may be consulted and it directs the military to manage Hawai'i lands and resources in a way that is aligned with the goals of Native Hawaiian organizations that preserves and protects resources. OHA and Hui Mālama I Nā Kūpuna O Hawai'i Nei are named as such organizations in the protocol.

The draft protocol also directs branches to make allowances for access to sacred sites and to conform to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act before any ground-disturbing activity gets under way.

The draft protocol is available online at denix.osd.mil/portal/page/portal/denix/environment/NA.

For questions, contact David Sanborn, Department of Defense senior tribal liaison at phone, 703-604-1773; fax, 703-607-4237; and e-mail, david.sanborn@osd.mil.

Send comments by e-mail or mail to: Mr. David Sanborn, DoD Senior Tribal Liaison, 1225 S. Clark St., Crystal Gateway 2, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA 22202. Or send comments to Ms. Martha Ross, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 500, Honolulu, HI 96813. Her e-mail is marthar@oha.org.

Check oha.org for updates on the planned community meetings.