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.

Mahalo Trustee Mossman

Kudos to all the OHA Trustees who consistently provide us updates related to OHA. One specific column caught my attention, Maui Trustee Boyd Mossman's January column, "What to expect in 2008." It truly targeted the most critical gaps in the Hawaiian community. I do want add a bit more.

HOUSING: Native Hawaiians of all blood quanta are suffering from homelessness. It impacts their state of mind, feelings and self-esteem. Feelings of hopelessness are very strong and cause the breakdown of family, culture and future generations. The state is not equipped with genuine culturally based interventions and the problem appears to be massively escalating.

HEALTH: Let's not forget our kūpuna, many of whom are suffering from various types of dementia especially Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and seizure disorders. I used to be the vice president of programs for the Alzheimer's Association and executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation. During my outreach activities in rural areas in Hawai'i, I found this to be true and alarming.

EDUCATION: During my lectures in public schools, I discovered many DOE staff who may be academically skilled, BUT who are "culturally inept" and lack sufficient orientation and training about Native Hawaiian issues affecting both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians. The implications are serious, as untrained staff cannot provide genuine compassion and empathy to Native Hawaiian students in the face of challenges and entitlements.

Thank you Mr. Mossman for addressing and rekindling serious issues in the Native Hawaiian community.

Keoni Kealoha O. Devereaux Jr.
Mō'ili'ili

Pa'ahao in Arizona

I recently visited the for-profit prisons that operate under contract with the State of Hawai'i to house your incarcerated sons in Arizona. I saw a clean, secure facility. My complaint is not with the Corrections Corporation of America staff or the prison itself. My complaint is with the State and people of Hawai'i, who pay strangers to care for their troubled sons. These men are abandoned when they need their community the most.

The Hawaiian people so esteemed the aloha spirit that you enshrined its definition in law.Hawaiians are still Hawaiians, even in prison, and aloha spirit of these men exists and is palpable in their presence. Most are drawn to, and hunger for, their cultural roots. Yet by some twist of law the teaching of Native Hawaiian culture is deemed a "religion." If a man chooses "Hawaiian" as his religion, he must forgo church services.

Recently the State of Hawai'i adopted the principle of ho'oponopono as part of a statewide healing program for ex-offenders and parolees. Statutes, resolutions, task forces and studies claim the desire to inculcate criminal offenders with "self worth and pride in their culture by increasing their knowledge, providing a purpose for themselves, their families, for future generations of Hawai'i's people," to quote Hawai'i Senate Resolution No. 118 SD1.

The laws are in place, the desire is there, but the pa'ahao remain betrayed. Where are the stewards, the 'ohana advocates? Who's in charge? People of Hawai'i, I beg you on behalf of your ancestors, your forgotten sons, and the world waiting for the aloha that only you can give. Take up their cause, for it is your cause.

Mike Thompson
Mesa, Arizona

Un-civil rights movement

Regarding the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, I note that the distortions discussed in the OHA analysis of the commission's report are evident in both camps unfortunately. If the commission failed to understand OHA's historical perspective (restorative justice etc.), what about OHA? Do Trustees really want to confront historical inaccuracy even while they accept as fact the slew of distortions imbedded in the Akaka Bill regarding Hawaiian history? Are we ready to accept the premise of this bill, which states that Native Hawaiians are indigenous to the American continent? And does the Indian commerce clause in and of itself confer citizenship (or recognition)?

Statehood was premised on a combination of remedial programs (created by Congress) that imply federal recognition has been conferred on Native Hawaiians via the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Federalization of native rights is rooted in the Indian Commerce Clause, which is a domestic law of the United States. Congress has no authority to impose domestic laws on a foreign nation without a treaty. Statehood represents an attempt by the United States to impose U.S. laws on a foreign state without having to negotiate a legal treaty. This is what is called belligerent occupation in law because the essence of its claim or jurisdiction is through raw military might, not by treaty, etc.

Noa Napoleon
Honolulu

Blood quantum lawsuit

I have never written in response to any type of issues that deal with Hawaiians until now. I read with anger and dismay that Hawaiians with 50 percent or more blood quantum are suing OHA for using monies for Hawaiians with less than 50 percent. HEWA on those people who think like selfish foreigners.

I use angry words because I am 50 percent and to hear those who are fortunate to have something and use it against our own people who have less than 50 percent is a shame. When will the Hawaiians learn not to be like the 'a'ama (black crab)?

Hawaiians with 50 percent and more, WAKE UP. Let the foreigners continue to divide us and one day you will find that all the benefits that we ARE entitled to will be part of the past. Laws could be passed to deny us those benefits and no matter how much Hawaiian you have, ALL of US will have nothing.

Philip Abraham Hokuokalani Akiu III
Honolulu

Rename the Superferry

What's in a name? When it comes to the so-called Superferry, a lot.

It's a ferry all right, but who gets to decide if it's "super" or not? I've heard it called a few other things, some of which are not suitable for readers under the age of 100.

The self-described "Superferry" arrived in Hawai'i like Godzilla or King Kong beating his chest, did pretty much what it wanted to at first, and only stopped to ask what the people and the law thought about it later. The most recent instance of this arrogance is the Superferry's decision to make a second daily trip to Maui without, as Mayor Tavares said, consulting with the community first. The Superferry has since postponed the addition of the second trip.

Perhaps if the Superferry changed its name to something less "in your face," like the "Alohaferry," for instance, and then tried to live up to the name, a sea change is possible.

Bill Brundage
Kurtistown, Hawai'i Island

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.