Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 1, 1 January 1994 — E HOʻOMAKA ʻANEI KĀKOU E HOʻOKŌ I NA KULEANA O KA HOʻIHOʻI EA O KO HAWAIʻI AUPUNI? [ARTICLE]

E HOʻOMAKA ʻANEI KĀKOU E HOʻOKŌ I NA KULEANA O KA HOʻIHOʻI EA O KO HAWAIʻI AUPUNI?

SHALL A PROCESS BEGIN TO RESTORE THE SOVEREIGN HAWAIIAN NATION?

This is the question that the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission wants all Hawaiians living in Hawai'i and elsewhere to carefully consider, discuss and decide upon. This question or a question similar to it may be placed on the Plebiscite ballot in November 1994. A Plebiscite is a process whieh invites all Hawaiians, 1 6 years and older, to vote on this very important question.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, The Congress: - apologizes to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United States for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i on January 17, 1893 with the participation of agents and citizens of the United States, and the deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination. - expresses its commitment to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, in order to provide a proper foundation for reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people. 103d Congress, 1st Session, S.J. Res. 19, November 1993

After 100 years, the U.S. Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed a resolution offering a formal and official apology to the Hawaiian people for the U.S. role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy on January 17, 1893. This official U.S. apologv, while significant. only signals the beginning of what must be a long, deliberate process. Hawaiians today are aware of their history. They are aware of historical wrongdoings committed against them. They emphatically desire change. Hawaiians throughout the State have asked for more information about sovereignty. They have asked that all Hawaiians work together and share their best ideas. They know that the process of seeking redress for past injustices requires a unification of spirit within the Hawaiian community. They have issued a eall for unity. In July 1993, 50 Hawaiian organizations, representing over 100,000 members nominated over 100 persons for the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission. Twenty individuals were appointed by Governor John Waihe'e. The Commission was mandated to consult the Native Hawaiian community about beginning a process for sovereignty including:

( 1 ) Holding a plebiscite to determine the will of the Hawaiian people to eall a democratically convened convention for the purpose of achieving consensus on an organic document that will propose the means for Hawaiians to operate under a government of their own choosing. (2) Providing for a mechanism to democratically convene a Hawaiian convention so that Hawaiians may openly and freely discuss and decide the form and structure of that government; and (3) Describing the process for the conduct of fair, impartial and valid elections including a plebiscite. In October 1993, the commissioners held sixteen public informational meetings throughout the islands and one meeting with Hawaiians living in America. The Hawaiian community called for the following: Provide more information and education on sovereignty before the plebiscite is held. "What about our social security benefits, welfare assistance?" Waimea, Kaua'i - 10/13/93 "What are we to gain from becoming sovereign? Can this new government eope with all the problems?" Kapa'a, Kaua'i - 10/14/93 "We are Hawaiians, we need to understand, study and read, and not go blindly into this decision." Hilo, Hawai'i - 10/21/93 "I ean almost bet that 80% of us here do not know what we want. How ean we learn about it? I want us Hawaiians to eome together. " Lana'i - 10/18/93

"We need to educate our children, build our confidence, be proud to be Hawaiians, build self-esteem. Our focus should be centered on our children." Kaunakakai, Moloka'i - 10/12/93 "We need to educate the silent majority . . . must reach out to people." Hana, Maui - 10/13/93

Hawaiian groups need to work together and provide better leadership. "It seems that with all the organizations presenting the issue of sovereignty, and yet, we are unable to get it together." Kaunakakai, Moloka'i - 10/12/93 ". . . We need to unite . . . we need to eome together to fight for one thing so that things will not be lost again." Waimea, Kaua'i - 10/13/93 "ls this just another of the many groups that has been created for sovereignty? Could we say that the commission is like a mediator group that has been put together to bring all the groups to the table and reach some eommon understanding?" Hana, Maui - 10/13/93 ". . . If Hawaiians decide to make a constitution, will all these organizations eome together as one to form a new nation, and will the people be the ones that make the decisions?" Lana'l - 10/18/93 ". . . We have our doubts about our so called leaders, but we need to hold together and don 't look to crltlclze. Whatever the decislons eome we will all be a part of it . . ." Waimanalo, Oahu - 10/19/93 ". . . Are Hawaiians ready to begln to work together? We need leadership." Kona, Hawai'i - 10/19/93 Set up a process that is independent of the State. "Thls commission should not be operating as a "State entity", not governed by the governor. Onee that is accomplished, then, and only then, are we ready for sovereignty." Kaunakakai, Moloka'i - 10/12/93 "How ean your commission be legal when your commission is part of the State?" Paukukalo, Maui - 10/14/93 "The end goal of the sovereignty process is independence, with no state agency overseeing. " Kaneohe, Oahu - 10/19/93 . . want to see our people stand and say, sovereignty is what we want, not to be affiliated with the State." Kona, Hawai'i - 10/19/93 "... My eoneem is that the State is going to organize us to be sovereign. That is a'ole and we ean think for ourselves and organize ourselves. ..." Nanakuli, Oahu - 10/20/93 "I am not too crazy about this whole political process you are participating in. Why is the State legislature even involved in sovereignty? How ean we be sure that what we recommend will not be changed or reinterpreted?" Honolulu, Oahu - 10/21/93

Stop State actions that decrease or mis-use Hawaiian national trust lands (Hawaiian Homelands, ceded public lands trust). "Our land is the most important thing, we need to stop all sales of it (moratorium). We own the land." Kaunakakai, Moloka'i - 10/12/93 "There is an lmmediate urgency to have a moratorlum on all ceded and crown lands." Waimea, Kaua'l - 10/13/93 ". . . Go back to State, have them put a moratorium on sales of lands. Trust spirit of commission to take this back." Kona, Hawai'i - 10/19/93 "Moratorium is needed to stop the sales, leases and transfers of our lands. " Waimea, Hawai'i - 10/20/93 "A freeze is necessary to protect our assets while process is being initiated." Hilo, Hawai'l - 10/21/93 ■ - > < ••>!*} i: V.A • ' | TRANSITION PLAN The Hawaiian community has called for a measure from the legislature to ensure that Hawaiian national trust lands, the Hawaiian Home lands and the ceded public trust lands will not be decreased or misused. The Commission will seek input from the Hawaiian community on these concerns. Important questions to consider are: Shall a moratorium be

called on all or certain lease transactions concerning ceded lands and Hawaiian home lands? Shall a moratorium be called on the sale or trade of ceded lands? Should a special Hawaiian organization negotiate and resolve the claims against the state and federal governments or should the claims be negotiated and resolved by the emerging Hawaiian nation? The Commission has developed preliminary recommendations for review by the Hawaiian community. Commissioners want to share the preliminary recommendations so that they ean be carefully reviewed and discussed in the public informational meetings. The Commission will hold the next round of public informational meetings at the beginning of the New Year.

E hui mai kākou a pau a hana like me ke kuikahi i kēia leo kāhea no ka ho'iho'i ea Let us all eome together and work with one voice for sovereignty. "Our work at the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission is to find peaee and solutions as we envision today, a path for those to follow tomorrow. "We eall to all of you, from every island, and invite you to participate in our puhlie informational meetings. "Let us move forward together expressing our thoughts with one another. "

HAWAIIAN SOVEREIGNTY ADVISORY COMMISSION PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING SCHEDULE JANUARY 1994

DATE Tuesday, January 11, 1994 Tuesday, Januar\' 1 1, 1994 Wednesdav. January 12, 1994 Thursday, January 13, 1994 Tuesday, January 18, 1994 Wednesday, January 19, 1994 Thursday, January 20, 1994 Friday, January 21, 1994

ISLAND Moloka'i, Kaunakakai Lana'i Maui, Hana Maui, Paukukalo Maui, Lahaina Kaua'i, Waimea Kaua'i, Anahola Hawa'i, Ka'u Hawai'i, S. Kona Hawai'i, Waimea Hawai'i, Hilo Oahu, Waimanalo Oahu, Kaneohe Oahu, Kahuku Oahu, Nanakuli Oahu, Wai'anae Oahu, Pearl City Oahu, Honolulu Oahu, Laie

LOCATION Mitchell Pau'ole Ctr. Lana'i High Sch Cafe. Helene Hall Hale Pomaika'i Ka'anapali Beach Htl. Waimea Canyon Sch. Anahola Clubhouse Pahala High School Kealakehe lnter. Sch. Kuhio Hale Hawn. Hms Keaukaha School Waimanalo School Ben Parker Elem. Kahuku High School Nanaikapono Elem. Wai'anae High School Highlands Interm. Central Inter. Aud. Laie Elemen. Sch.

**AII meetings begin at 6:00 PM For more information you may contact the ofFice at: 587-2834 or 587-3158 ■

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY REVIEW AND DISCUSSION JANUARY 11-21, 1994 The Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission was asked to submit a report to the legislature by December 30, 1993. However, the Commission has only recently completed its recommendations to take back to the community for review and discussion. The following information summarizes the recommendations that the Commission will be submitting in an interim report. We are asking the Hawaiian community to review the information and be prepared to discuss it at the Public Informational Meetings in January. The Commission is seeking the support of Hawaiian organizations to help facilitate participation in this process. A final report will be submitted to the legislature on February 28, 1994 incorporating changes whieh result from the Public Informational Meetings in January.

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE SOVEREIGNTY PLEBISCITE Proposed Question: Shall a Process Begin to Restore the Sovereign Hawaiian Nation? Proposed Date: November 8, 1994 at the same time as the general election Proposed Method: Two processes will be occurring at the same time. 1 . A polling process whieh builds upon the current OHA-registered voter base and is conducted within the general election laws of the State. Any eligible Hawaiian individual may register to be included in this voter base. Eligible Voters: Hawaiians, 1 8 yrs. of age, residents of Hawai'i, U.S. citizens, registere(f to vote 2. A mail-out process whieh allows all Hawaiians to participate without regard to citizenship, residency, or forfeiture of civil rights (Voter must register through a special registration process) Eligible Voters: Hawaiians, 16 yrs. of age, non-residents, noncitizens, those serving prison sentences, Hawaiian citizens who are not registered to vote in the polling process

CONVENTIONS COMMITTEE If a majority of the voters in the Plebiscite vote YES then the following process is proposed: 1. January 1995 - Elections on eaeh island for representatives to their own island convention and a convention for Hawaiians living in America 2. 1995 - Island conventions meet and work on same agenda for drafting of a constitution 3. January 1996 - Election/selection of representatives to central convention 4. March 1996 - Central Convention 5. July 1996 - Ratification of the work of the convention by Hawaiian community

ISLAND COUNCILS Island Councils will be established as soon as possible on all islands to facilitate education efforts relating to the Plebiscite, voter registration, and eleetion processes. The Commission will be seeking help from Hawaiian organizations to ask for their input and involvement. It is possible that the Island Councils could be set up within designated moku districts.