LEO 'ELELE - TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Can Hawaiians work together?

Boyd P. Mossman Trustee, Maui

Aloha kākou,

Laulima… working together. Indeed, the slogan of my college Air Force Academy class was: "cooperate and graduate." Some question whether that is possible with Hawaiians and there is apparent justification for that observation. Absent authoritarianism and compulsion, can we really work together on anything? From the basic unit of family to the government of our nation, cooperation and laulima are key to success. Families as well as governments unable to communicate, understand or empathize subject themselves to dispute, contention and disorder. And so, given that laulima can facilitate communications and improve relationships, is that not something Hawaiians should focus upon and work toward?

Within the Hawaiian community today we have, as with other nationalities, numerous dissenting groups with a variety of issues (from blood quantum to federal recognition) and a variety of solutions. OHA has its hands full seeking to help Hawaiians in the community to continue to progress and help themselves. We give out grants to nonprofits, scholarships to college students, emergency loans and funding to Hawaiian agencies and organizations involved in health, Hawaiian education, legal, business ownership, etc., while representing Hawaiian interests before the Legislature, courts, community and government. Our work with numerous community organizations including the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Hawaiian homestead groups, charter schools, royal societies, Hawaiian churches, Hawaiian chambers and so many others has sought to better conditions for all Hawaiians.

But conspicuously absent has been a concerted effort by OHA to learn about and seek a better understanding of those Hawaiian groups and individuals who actively oppose OHA, primarily as regards to federal recognition, Kau Inoa and just about anything OHA supports. As a trustee, I certainly disagree not only with the philosophies and justifications argued by these activists, but also their public displays of disrespect and rudeness seen on TV and at public meetings which, admittedly, had OHA as the lead example for many years. But I also recognize that we are one in the spirit of our ancestors and share common interests upon which we agree, albeit maybe not a whole lot. And so, if we appreciate our differences and set them aside, maybe we can open up communications and laulima on mutually acceptable matters of benefit to all of our people.

Thus if this is to be pursued, we need to understand one another and what we stand for as well as who we represent and why we do so. A candid and frank expression of origin, authority and objectives would allow us all to understand one another and open up communications. Then we can agree to disagree on federal recognition, ceded lands, Kau Inoa and whatever else as we seek to identify and prioritize other matters of import to Hawaiians from affordable housing to youth. Can this be done and is it something good for Hawaiians? Well, I've been to a number of hearings where activists complain that OHA pays no attention to them. An offer to them from OHA to get together, made in good faith to seek laulima can be taken or left. If taken, we have the chance to open communications, which are nonexistent today. If left, OHA at least tried and the Hawaiian community can make their own minds up as to OHA's efforts to work with and help all Hawaiians.

Now, I expect there will be suspicion, dissent, distrust and whatever from some at any OHA-related initiative. Let's be clear here; this will be an OHA initiative, not that of someone else. We can either seek to cooperate on specific issues, or not. Kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, can either come and see what could help all of us, or they can stay in their royal compounds and continue to complain. So what will it be amongst us Hawaiians? Laulima (cooperation) or kū'ē (opposition)? Stay tuned.