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.

Kalaupapa

Mahalo for the beautiful, inspiring cover story “Huna o Kalaupapa” in the March issue of KWO.

It was my privilege to serve these patients as a hospital nurse hired by the state of Hawai'i Department of Health, 1980-'90.

It was also when the team came from KWED-TV (of San Francisco) to make the first and finest video, called “Kalaupapa the Refuge.” The spontaneous eloquence of the many patients interviewed simply amazed me; and I felt the honor of being at such a wonderful job.

In those days, there were 120 patients and a hospital team of 12 (one leprologist, eight nurses – four of them the Sisters of St. Francis – two patient-nurses' aides, and one secretary). A DOH lab worker and dietitian visited routinely, from Honolulu. Two Sisters manned our dialysis room. And referrals for advanced care, X-ray, surgery, etc., were sent to Hale Mōhalu in O'ahu, and to Carville, Louisiana.

Although retired from there, I will always have a place in Kalaupapa; and they with me. There are many ways to still serve them. 'Ohana is for keeps.

Ruth Freedman
The Kalaupapa Connection
1503 Punahou St., 3C
Honolulu, HI 96822

March KWO

I enjoyed reading the March issue of your monthly paper provided at the main branch of the state library.

Articles: “Racing for the presidency” by Lisa Asato, “Galuteria runs for state Senate,” by Lisa Asato, “Support Clinton” letter by Buzzy Agard, “Trustee Akana” letter by Wayne Keola Choo, “Too little, too late” column by Rowena Akana, and the “Ceded lands settlement” article by Crystal Kua were notable items that I read with interest.

It is educational to read about the history of the negotiations dating back to 1999 to the present, for the last four years in particular. After my visit with the Beneficiary Committee on Feb. 2, I came away hoping that all Trustees continue to strive to be part of the solution rather than the problem. One missed opportunity is enough without compounding yet another great opportunity to achieve a certain measure of satisfaction and vindication for the Board. Good luck in the weeks to come!

Arvid Tadao Youngquist
Liliha, O'ahu

Overcrowded prisons

As our islands' jails and state prisons population explodes, our state is spending $50 million-plus annually on mainland private prison beds and hundreds of thousands more on federal detention center bed rentals.

It should be obvious by now that more prison bed space is not the answer. In fact, proposed new prisons and tent cities to house more inmates here at home are not a solution but a perpetuation of the problem. Rehabilitation vs. punishment aside, we have far too many of our state's population in prison.

Our state leaders and lawmakers need to identify the problem areas that feed our criminal justice system as well as those that restrict and delay the flow of detainees through the system.

One complication in the rehabilitation of our state's criminal justice system is that there are several separate government agencies at work and none of them seem to be on the same page.

The most qualified and frustrated players in the game are our state judges. One-size-fits-all mandatory sentencing and the repeat offender statute prevent sentencing discretion and forces lengthy prison terms upon the oftentimes undeserving. This statute when applied to the nonviolent addict trumps drug court, mental health court and the state's HOPE, or Hawai'i's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement, program. A five-year term is the mandatory sentence.

There is no easy answer to our criminal justice system's dilemma. We cannot set dangerous criminals free and we should not build more prisons. We should, however, return sentencing authority to the courts, rethink prosecutorial wildcard statutes, we must adequately provide pretrial alternatives to jail and we should provide rehabilitative programming during pretrial incarcerations. We must expand in-prison treatment for those unsafe to release, and when safe to do so utilize outside prison programs and treatment centers.

We should also immediately empower drug court, mental health court and hope probation to override the repeat offender statute in the case of the nonviolent minor drug possessing addict.

Michael Spiker
Inmate/addict
O'ahu Community Corrections Center
Honolulu

Ceded lands bill

The Senate showed concern and wisdom in slowing down the momentum to ensure the ceded lands bill HB 266 be pono and not have dire consequences for our Hawaiian future. “Too many questions remain relating to the Lingle-OHA agreement,” the Senate decided.

I helped negotiate the original agreement with the Waihe'e and Cayetano administrations. We had a formula that ensured a fair settlement: Hawaiians get 20 percent of rents and leases, the state kept the remaining 80 percent for the general public. The currently proposed bill seems arbitrary – no formula. With a revenue-sharing formula it's a win-win situation: when times are bad we get less, when we're awash in money we get more.

At the Senate-mandated Hilo community meeting it was revealed that there had been no appraisal of the three land parcels OHA is considering taking in lieu of cash. OHA Trustees have a fiduciary responsibility of due diligence which includes an appraisal of any lands it intends to obtain. Understandably, many Kanaka Maoli feel they are again getting “the short end of the stick.” Remember, Judge Heely in 1996 ruled OHA was owed 1.2 BILLION dollars up to 1990, that was 18 years ago! The current proposal would offer us $13 million in cash and the other $187 million in the return of our own Hawaiian lands. What we should bargain for is more land; we should open up ceded lands so that Hawaiians need not be homeless living on the beaches. Ceded lands should also be opened up for sustainable communities in the spirit of Aloha 'Āina. Also, the University of Hawai'i system is on ceded lands and pays no rent (OHA gets a percentage of bookstore profits). Native Hawaiians should get tuition wavers. A recent study commissioned by OHA showed that there are more millionaires living in Hawai'i than any other state, but less than 2 percent of native Hawaiians earn more than $100,000 yearly. On the other hand, Hawaiians earning between $1,000 to $10,000 make up 26.6 percent of this group. This division of “haves and have-nots” is unhealthy for a democratic society and especially for the Aloha Spirit. OHA's mandate is “better the condition of the Hawaiian People.”

Moanike'ala Akaka
Hilo, Hawai'i
Former OHA Trustee, 1984-1996

The final coup

The Honolulu Weekly news article of Feb. 27, “Queen's turn” had lots of claims of fraud using Hawaiian lands. Who owns these ceded lands is one of the many questions that are not being answered.

Going back in history we all need to remember that the Queen was the sole owner of the Hawaiian Kingdom. These lands in question have to go back to the Trust, which is still in existence today. The Kingdom of Hawai'i is very much alive in this land of Aloha.

History was the past. Queen Lili'uokalani succeeds the throne upon the death of King David Kalākaua in 1891. To avoid bloodshed of her people, she yields her throne on Jan. 17, 1893, and became a prisoner in her own land. July 7, 1898, President McKinley annexes Hawai'i to the United States. Dec. 2, 1909, the Queen executes a deed of trust. Nov. 11, 1917, the Queen expired at the age of 79.

Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 and statehood was granted in 1959. A Con Con election was held to create the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to help with the many problems of land issues among the Hawaiian communities.

It has been a waste of time explaining to people who have no knowledge of Queen Lili'uokalani and her love for her people. The House and the Senate should be very careful in dealing with people who know the histories of the ali'i and are very respectful of their histories.

Who owns the ceded lands? Do your research.

Lucy M. Akau
Waimānalo, O'ahu

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.