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The piko stone of Kūkaniloko and Mākua is as valuable, and symbolically important, as the Ark of the Covenant and other well-known religious objects throughout the world.- Photo: Courtesy by Chris Monahan |
Tyranny and iwi exposed
An open letter to President-elect Barack Obama
By Alika Poe Silva
Kahu Kulaiwi, Koa Mana,
Kupukaaina o Wai'anae Wahipana,
O'ahu, Hawaiian National
Aloha nō President-elect Barack Obama, remember what tūtū Queen Lili'uokalani visualized, practiced and taught us that 10 sharp paddles cannot match one sharp pencil to create the people's message. Our hopes, dreams and strength are in lōkahi (harmony) and in pono kaulike (equality and justice for all)! These are the values imbued in “Aloha, love for each other and Aloha 'āina, love for our land.” Mana kēia, congratulations! We have watched your campaign with pride, respect and great hope.
We are aware from various news reports that you favor the Akaka Bill. We ask that you reconsider your position on this bill. There's considerable opposition among Hawaiians to the Akaka Bill. We want to provide you with a list of kūpuna and other leaders for you to talk to. We want to provide a bibliography of pertinent and vital material. We would like to invite you to learn more about this issue of vital importance to Hawai'i and the world.
It must be made clear that the majority of American-Hawaiians cannot remove the rights of the minority Hawaiian Nationals. We ask for ethics and equality to save the Hawaiian culture, tradition, religion and national treasures. Making sure that all the people of Hawai'i understand the diversity of Hawai'i. It's important that the people recognize that it is a rich culture of knowledge and diversities. There are regional and genealogical differences between Hawaiians that continue today. The Kāne religion must be understood to be a part of world heritage, and its traditions and sacred places must be preserved. You cannot get the information from one book or one organization such as the State of Hawai'i's Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) or the U.S. Army's cultural resources manager. Obviously, many Hawaiians feel international self-determination applies to them. And you cannot get a fair point of view only from the state or federal government. You have to get it from the opposing Hawaiian organizations' representatives. It is obvious that the Hawaiian people are the minority people in their own land today. And that the minority includes the Hawaiian Nationals and their point of view! Including these minority groups outside of the OHA or the U.S. military helps guarantee their civil and international law rights! The Hawaiian people, culture and histories are as complex as those of any other nations. To follow the party line of any one element of a nation in Hawai'i is to risk ignoring or even the loss of critical parts of world heritage and treasures!
On a short note, the U.S. Army issues are still very shameful. They are determined to practice insensitivity and desecration of our sacred sites at Mākua Valley and Līhu'e, in Wai'anae and Wahiawā. The Army is destroying our Hawaiian war memorials in Mākua Valley and Līhu'e. These memorials in Mākua represent Kamehameha's two famous battle launches from Mākua, Wai'anae, for Kaua'i to unite the Hawaiian Kingdom and islands. Kamehameha was well aware that Mākua Valley is the sacred land of the god Kāne, called “Kane-huna-moku” (the garden of Eden for our first parents Ki'i and La'ila'i). And before Kamehameha went back to Waikīkī, Honolulu, he ordered his Army and people to protect the Kāne religion, temples, sites and his war memorials. The U.S. Army has been notified and educated on these sacred sites and their cultural values as world and national treasures. Yet, the Army chose to practice war games on and around them, which tells you a lot about their insensitivity and lack of good faith. Numerous objections to the U.S. Army were made. Their response is to allow, participate in and establish an alien religion in the Army-controlled Mākua Valley. Also, the desecrations to our sacred sits in Līhu'e, Wahiawā, are very stressful and unfortunate. We will always remain hopeful that this abuse will stop, and healing, redress and good faith between our nations succeeds. Recent agreements (8/10/06, Col. Killian) were made between the Army and our 'ohana's representatives to perform Section 106 Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) Model Studies. This has not been done for adversely affected areas, and many great Hawaiian treasures have been damaged and/or destroyed. The American people clearly voted for change, and for real hope in American's conduct in the world today. We as Hawaiian Nationals share in the American hope for a bright future and a just relationship and just world.
Remember, our kūpuna taught us how important it is in this land of Aloha not to discriminate, and the failure to do so is a serious leadership and ethical mater. Consequently, Hawaiian Nationals object to the Akaka Bill's present language. 'Ike maka, see more information at hawaiiankingdom.org and learn more about the continually existing Hawaiian nation. Aloha and mahalo nō, I'o lako Obama 'ohana (God provide for your family) and always keep your spirit of Aloha in your course of good work. The world has long prayed and waited for you to come. Kōkua and call upon us to assist in these matters, and “yes we can” and yes we must for the keiki yet to come. Ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono.
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