HO'OULU LĀHUI ALOHA - TO RAISE A BELOVED NATION

Kau Inoa Q&A

By Nara Cardenas / OHA Community Outreach Specialist

Community Outreach Staff continue discussing Hawaiian governance at events, Coffee Hours and presentations all over the state. Here are our responses to some common questions and concerns:

Independence vs. Federal Recognition

Different groups have different misunderstandings – a kūpuna group we met thought Kau Inoa was pro independence and was concerned that registering in Kau Inoa might affect their U.S. citizenship and government benefits. At the other end of the spectrum some Internet blogs assert that because Kau Inoa is funded by OHA it is too closely tied to the state and not independent enough.

In fact, Kau Inoa has no “stance” — it cannot, as it is simply a step in the nation building process. The form the Native Hawaiian governing entity takes will be determined by those who register in Kau Inoa.

The Akaka Bill and Kau Inoa

Another common misconception is that Kau Inoa is really a registration for the Akaka Bill. The truth is that Kau Inoa and the Akaka Bill are completely separate. Even if the Akaka Bill were to pass through Congress and become law, the criteria for registration in Kau Inoa – one document showing proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry – are different from the “roll” specified in the Akaka Bill, where registrants must trace ancestry to a Native Hawaiian who qualified for the Hawaiian Homes Act in 1921 or a Native Hawaiian living in Hawaii before 1893.

The question of whether or not to move for Federal recognition of the Native Hawaiian government will be decided by those registered in Kau Inoa, who would have to approve such a move.

Kau Inoa – then what?

The steps in the Ho'oulu Lāhui Aloha: To Build a Beloved Nation plan were developed by more than 150 Native Hawaiian organizations over a period of two years. In very brief form they are:

1. Apportionment: how we are represented.

2. Election: we choose delegates to represent us at the nation-building convention.

3. Convention: where delegates create the organic documents for the new governing entity.

4. Ratification: Kau Inoa registrants approve the organic documents.

5. Formation of the new government.

Do I need to join Kau Inoa now? Will it make a difference?

YES. Remember that there are two purposes to the Kau Inoa registration – the first being simply to declare that you are of Native Hawaiian ancestry. It is important to stand and be counted in Kau Inoa, as there are proposals to remove Native Hawaiians from the U.S. Census.

The second purpose of Kau Inoa is to declare intent to participate in forming a Native Hawaiian governing entity. Think of your dream for a Hawaiian Nation, whatever it might be – housing for all Hawaiians, a Hawaiian cemetery, a Hawaiian Department of Health, higher education opportunities for all Hawaiians – and how it might be possible. We need people registered in Kau Inoa now who can and will make those dreams reality by doing the work of the Nation once it is formed.

If you have an opinion about Hawaiian Governance, please register. We cannot heal and move forward unless everyone comes to the table. In order for us to be successful, community input and participation are essential. A wise man once said, “Empowerment is not in the ability to choose, but in making the choice.”

If you have a comment or question you'd like answered, contact us at hla@oha.org. Better yet, host a Coffee Hour! For more information or to schedule, contact Nara Cardenas at 594-0266 or narac@oha.org.

Ikaika Gamulo

Why I placed my name
By Ikaika Gamulo
Lāna'i, 15 years old

Posted on his MySpace page: NOT JUST A T-SHIRT

Being Hawaiian is not just what you show on the outside. It's about your actions, morals, and bloodline. Anyone can call themselves Hawaiian, but there's a difference between words and actions. For me, to truly be a Hawaiian, you need to act the culture and care about the issues that face your native peoples. Preserve the past to create the future. Without our kūpuna and our past, our present and future means nothing. The Hawaiian culture is on a journey to our future as a united nation, “Kau Inoa.” I connect the Hōkūle'a to the journey of the Hawaiians in the present day. The sacred vessel was built by our kūpuna, therefore it is our kūpuna, we must stand on them and follow our other kūpuna, the stars. The Hawaiians followed the stars to get to their destination. On the boat, there were different types of people, each with a different purpose, just like how each Hawaiian has a purpose. To make it simple, we all must work together and follow our kūpuna in the past and use their mana'o to guide us on our next journey to Hawaiian unity as a nation. Now that is what Hawaiian means to me!

Tell us why you signed at hla@oha.org.
Please include your name and contact information.