Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 1, 1 January 1982 — Talking Story With The Native Hawaiian Study Commissioners [ARTICLE]

Talking Story With The Native Hawaiian Study Commissioners

During a very demanding week of public hearings statewide, members of the Native Hawaiian Study Commission dedicated themselves to hearing the needs and concerns of the Hawaiian people. While listening to nearly 300testimonies, the commissioners responded with relevant questions that wou!d assist them in their work. Topics discussed ranged from the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, the results of the Hawaiian people being separated from the 'āina, the definition of Native Hawaiian, problems facing our Hawaiian Homesteaders, the need for a complete inventory of !and in the state, to traditional religious ceremonial rites. The following article gives the members of the commission an opportunity to personally comment on their first impressions, while the study is still in its infancy. Q: What type of homework have the commissioners done prior to their arrival, and have they been involved with other Native American groups? Carol E. Dinkins, assistant attorney general for land and natural resources with the Department of Justice: I've read a number of books and papers. Chairwoman Kamalii has given us a lot of information, and 1 had my own staff also research. Many of the things we have heard are the things we have been reading and studying about in reparations. As an assistant attorney general in the land division we represent the United States as trustee for the Indians, for example. Diane K. Morales, deputy assistant secretary of Territorial and International Affairs within the Department oflnterior: Basically what we're doing here right now for this study commission is

By Torii Yardley simply to hear and leam everything and all we ean. We're on a fact finding mission. I have been on position with the Territorial and International Affairs since July 1981. After I leave here 1*11 be going to other Pacific islands. Stephen P. Shipley, executiue assistant to Secretary of Interior James Watt and Wiee Chairman of this Commission: Through my work for the Department of Interior I have some familiarity with the Native Hawaiians and Native Indian Americans; that is my exposure. I'm purposely keeping my mind open. Q: Will there be another visit to Hawaii by the commission? James C. Handley, specialist assistant secretary in the Department of Agriculture: I think there is a very distinct possibility. We're wondering when the best time would be and from our perspective how it ean be most effective because we have limited funds, as everyone knows. Our departments are paying for our individual travels as a contribution, in a way, to our eommission, and they are also limited on funds. We're thinking of coming back after we have collated our findings and maybe doing a more targeted type of interviewing rather than general testimonies. We would eall on experts and people who are leaders in the eommunity to really get down to the nitty gritty. Right now we're going through the testimonies and giving everyone the opportunity to eome forward. Q: As mid-management political appointees, do the visiting commissioners have the indepehdence to treat the findings of this study with fairness? Are there any restraints?

Handley: I have been given no restraints by anyone. No, I would say I don't feel restrained. It's too bad we don't have more funds to do it differently, but I still think we ean do a good job . . . we just have to be innovative! Winona Beamer, an educator and expert in Hawaiian culture, dance and music: From what we have gathered so far, they are very independent thinkers! They also have some experience with minority groups. Kinau Boyd Kamalii, Republican leader in the State House, and Chairperson of this comm!ssion: I don't feel, at this point, any feelings of restraint or obligation. They are looking into areas that rea!ly do a affect the Department of Interior, or some of the questions Mr. Handley has asked really have to to with the Department of Agricultue. H. Rodger Betts, Maui attorney with Corporation Counsel: As far as 1 am eoncerned, we're at all top level management positions and ean make our own independent decisions. As for myself, I feel fully independent. Q: Why are two of the mainland commissioners, Glenn R. Schleede, executive associate director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Carl Anderson, an officia! with the Department of Health and Human Services, not present during this visit? How will they be updated on the information presented during the hearings? Kamalii' I was not informed as to why they are not here. They will have to read the testimonies and hear the tapes! That's why we're taping all of the hearings. We hope that we'll be able to purchase the video tapes from OHA. 1 think it's definitely important that everything be

kept intact. Q: lf there is a vacancy on the commission, is it possible to get another Hawaii resident on the commission? Kamalii: No it is not. We tried earlier to get more loeal members, but by law it is limited to three residents of the State of Hawaii. By the last public hearing at Kapālama on O'ahu, the visiting commissioners had picked up a bit of the Hawaiian language themselves. Handley thanked the audience for sharing their mana'o, "Did I say that right?" and Morales expressed her "mahalo" to one of the speakers who complimented her for being the sole surviving mainland commissioner at the lengthy hearing that lasted until 5:15 Saturday morning! When asked their general impressions of the hearings, two of the loeal comissioners were enthusiastic in their response. "The commissioners are so impressed with the integrity, the quality, the eloquence of the people who have testified. They just keep saying this; they are overwhelmed by the kind of testimonies that have been received! 'I'm really proud of our people!" commented Kamalii. Betts concurred, "I think the hearings have gone exceptionally well. People were sincere and we gathered a great deal of information." Even though the visiting commissioners didn't get mueh of a ehanee to get to the beaches or other typical tourist spots, they had a ehanee to see that the true beauty of Hawaii is in her people!