Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 January 1983 — CONFERENCE ADDRESS [ARTICLE]

CONFERENCE ADDRESS

Moses K, Keale, Sr. Head of OHA Delegation Mr. Chairman, The Honorable Secretary-General, Distinguished Delegates, Eellow Observers and Members of ihe Press: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to attend the 22nd conference on behalf of our native people. We have listened with great interest to the dialogue of this conference: for our native Hawaiian people are also challenged to strive and maintain a high standard of education. heakh and welfare. You have made us feel quite at home and we have been able to broaden our vision that many of the difficulties our people are having with the reconciliation of traditional culture and modernity are shared with our southern cousins. As 1 listened to the distinguished delegates reiterate the philosophy of the Pacific Way, 1 was reminded of our King Kamehameha H's reply when someone asked him how he could be so wise. He answered: "Na Wai Ka Mea Akamai E Hele Ma Ka Ala Ma'amau O Ko'u Mau Kupuna" — Who would not be so wise to go upon the path so well travelled by my ancestors?" This conference has made us feel not alone in the Paeific. We have learned many lessons in our development from a kingdom to a member of the United States of America. We have reaped the benefits and opportunities of higher heakh standards, education, eeonomie opportunity, and the skills of high technology. We have also experienced the lessons of what ean happen to single cash economies, of over development. and the concentration of the population upon one island. Our agency was established by a state constitutional amendment in 1978 to help our native Hawaiian people in their attempt to become better participators in the Ameriean society. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is one of the more comprehensive institutions or systems of native American organi/ations in the United States. lt is an agency independent of the executive branch yet given the status of an agency in state government and theauthority to work with various levels of government. M r. Chairman, we do not elaim to have all the answers to the difficulties in the Pacific, but I would like to offer to the South Pacific Commission and all its Pacific lsland Nations our services, perhaps as a translator in the dialogue between modernity and Pacific life; we will make available all technical and advisory materialsand services to whieh we have access to in Hawaii; we would like to enter into cooperative agreements, and pilot projects to properly train and motivate our peoples in mutual trust, respect and benefit. Mr. Chairman, we seek to heeome more active participants of the Pacific Way. We heartily support the role of the Commission and find great mutual benefit in these particular functions; that the Commission serves as a eommon forum in whieh island peoples ean express themselves; as a vehicle forthe concept of regionalism; Assist in meeting the basic needs of the people of the region: to foster and develop the means to facilitate indigenous products and technology; and to act as a center for information. This conference has had a profound influence upon our delegation. As we prepare to return home. weshall bringa message to our people that has been forgotten. In an ancient chant from the district of Ka'u. on the island of Hawai'i, retained by Tutu Mary Kawena Puku'i, a part-Hawaiian, Samoan and Haole Scholar of the Bishop Museum, are the words of a proud and independent people known for theirability to survive: "Mai Uwe I Ka Hala. E Nana 1 Ke Ao Hope" Do not cry for the past. look forward to the new day. Mr. Chairman, before 1 conclude my remarks, I would like to present to you, in gratitude of your kokua, some smali gifts of appreciation. The Honorable Secretary-General, may I also present to you some small gifts in appreciation of your most generous invitation. E Ho'omaika'i Ia 'Olua Me Ka Pomaika'i O Ke Akua. Me Ke Aloha.