Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 4, 1 April 2006 — Hawaiian prison letters [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian prison letters

Aloha. I am writing this letter on behalf of myself, my significant other, my daughter and any and all persons who believe that is a natural given right to practice ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i, whether in writing or in speech, within the state of Hawai'i. I am concerned about being stunted in the growth of my ancestral culture, as it seems that I am not allowed to send any correspondence in ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i to my significant other, who is presently incarcerated

at Hālawa Correctional Facility. Yet I have been made aware that letters written in other languages, such as Vietnamese and Samoan, are accepted through the mail process. I would love to gain more information as to why this is so. I send all correspondences with the English translation, so I do not understand why I have my letters returned to me.

Please help me in my quest for an answer that would justify such reasoning. Symphaeni Pesamino-Kumuko'a, Kahili Keohuhu and īilionapuanani Keohuhu Via the lnternet