Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson Haunani Apoliona delivers her State of OHA Address to a crowded Central Union Church. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

OHA investiture spotlights both challenges
and progress ahead for Hawaiians

By Liza Simon / Ka Wai Ola Loa

• Read OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona's State of OHA Address

Leaders from across the state, members of royal societies and the public gathered recently for the OHA investiture ceremony, where OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona used the occasion to call for unity among Hawaiians during the State of OHA address.

In her speech, Apoliona said that the recent unfolding of events of historic import are making it more urgent than ever for Native Hawaiians to come together in defining a future rich in Hawaiian culture and values.

"Today, in our lifetime, Hawaiian governance guided by Native Hawaiian leadership is at the threshold, poised to re-emerge, poised to reorganize with passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (the Akaka Bill) as an option," she said during the sixth annual "State of OHA and the Native Hawaiian Community" address at Central Union Church.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka chats with OHA Chair Haunani Apoliona following Invesiture ceremonies held at Central Union Church. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

The audience responded with vigorous applause as Apoliona noted President-elect Barack Obama's expression of support for the Akaka Bill.

"No more waiting time to ensure that Native Hawaiians have similar recognition and legal protection as the other two indigenous groups in the U.S. – American Indians and Alaska Natives," Apoliona said.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees stand for Pule Wehe by The Reverend Dr. Lawrence Colbert of Central Union Church. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

The Dec. 5 investiture ceremony followed the swearing-in earlier in the week of re-elected Trustees Apoliona, Colette Machado, Robert Lindsey and Donald Cataluna, who was unable to attend. During the investiture, Apoliona, Machado and Lindsey were each presented lei hulu, a symbol of office, which were ceremoniously placed upon their shoulders during Ka Lei 'Ana, or a Tying of the Lei.

In her address, Apoliona told the crowd that along with a "window of opportunity" resulting from the recent election, Native Hawaiians face several pivotal challenges, including the pending appeal by the state to the U.S. Supreme Court over a Hawai'i Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the sale or transfer of ceded lands. The state filed its brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 4, one day before the investiture ceremony. As a consequence, Apoliona said Native Hawaiians have been "edged to the brink of battle" in the nation's highest court and must join forces in order to realize a brighter future.

Lei hulu were made by Nā Lima Hulu Mili No'eau, the featherwork shop owned by Paulette Kahalepuna and her renowned mother, the recently departed Mary Lou Kekuewa, to be bestowed upon the four newly re-elected OHA trustees, . - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Noting that 2010 will mark the 200th anniversary of King Kamehameha's unification of the Islands, Apoliona said: "It is time for Native Hawaiians to unify and write history for the next 200 years with even greater success and achievement by bringing the best of our culture and its values into the present and to use our deep values of aloha and lōkahi to create a dignified future while respecting our unique multicultural, diverse community."

Lei hulu are placed upon the shoulders of newly re-elected OHA trustees in solemn Investiture ceremonies. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Apoliona used her address to highlight in numerous ways the theme of "Pūpūkahi I Holomua," an 'Ōlelo No'eau, or proverb, that translates to "Unite to Move Forward." She listed recent OHA achievements that reflect collaboration in the Hawaiian community, including OHA's unprecedented 30-year annual promise of $3 million to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in support of homestead development across Hawai'i. She also commended the Hawaiian Benevolent Societies for their role in relocating to a more prominent place in Washington, D.C., the statute of King Kamehameha, and she cited as symbolic of Native Hawaiian progress toward self-determination the nationwide release of the Hawai'i quarter featuring Hawai'i's first king. At the same time, she warned that this year's collapse of worldwide financial markets and cases of litigation against OHA by political foes have the potential to derail progress unless Native Hawaiians seize the moment and rally together for a better future.

"Let us move forward – unified, focused and disciplined – guided by Hawaiian values, spirituality and lōkahi to strengthen Native Hawaiians and through that effort, all of Hawai'i nei," she said. "Pūpūkahi I Holomua."

Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa of the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies is reminded to keep a secret told by U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie following Investiture ceremonies. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

The day's festivities – which were echoed by preschool children enjoying a "snow" play day on the church grounds – continued with lunchtime camaraderie, kanikapila by OHA's very own entertainers Hau'oli Akaka, who emceed the ceremony, Kale Hannahs and Kama Hopkins, and impromptu singing by guests, including U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who wowed the crowd with his rendition of "Where I Live, There are Rainbows."

The investiture ceremony, which broadcast live on the radio on AM 940 and online at am940hawaii.com, will air on 'Ōlelo TV channel 53 at 10 p.m. Jan. 8 and 15, and at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 9 and 16.

I MAOPOPO IĀ 'OE MANA'O McColgan Sanders Plila'au Cameron Wendt At the investiture It goes without saying that many share the sense that amid challenges a window of opportunity has opened for Native Hawaiians to give substance to the word that became an across the board slogan in 2008 – Change. So how can Native Hawaiians best support some of this widely touted change in the New Year? KWO's Liza Simon posed the question to attendees of this year's investiture, who had this to say: Lehua McColgan Kaimukī We need to help Hawaiian people who are homeless. I see so many down and out in the park. It's sad to see these Hawaiians no place to stay with their children. Some agency like OHA should step forward and give them help. Alberta Sanders Kāne'ohe We need to do what is necessary to protect our culture and anything that can educate our people or re-educate them. The best thing we can do is preserve heritage to build Hawaiians back up and give recognition they deserve as important people. Ray Pilila'au Wai'anae There are so many issues that are important, but one of the most important is recognizing the Hawaiian Kingdom once again. We need a chance to sit and talk with all the leaders about what this involves. Keoni Cameron Honolulu I think anything to do with land is important. I hope (the state Department of) Hawaiian Home Lands is ready to help more people. I want to make sure my daughter has a chance at Hawaiian Home Lands in my lifetime. Mahealani Wendt Honolulu Self-governance for the indigenous Hawaiian people is the overarching issue. It encompasses every native rights or ceded lands issue. If the question of our relationship with the federal government were settled or approached with some resolution, we would be far more advantaged in our efforts to advocate on behalf of our rights.