Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 3, 1 April 1984 — Hawaiian Organizations Observe Na Hoʻokupu at Statues Before Hearings [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian Organizations Observe Na Hoʻokupu at Statues Before Hearings

The U. S. Senatecommitteehearingon the Native Hawaiians Study Commission report Apr. 16 in Honolulu was preceded by a brief program at both the statues of King Kamehameha and Queen Liliuokalani. Called Na Ho'okupu (gifts of honor and respect), the program was organized by Kaulana Na Pua lnstitute ine., and included members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, Hale O Na Ali'i, Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Native Sons and Daughters of Hawai'i and others.

U. S. Sen. Spark M. Matsunaga and Rep. Daniel K. Akaka also participated at both places. Following a chant and the offering of ho'okupu, the group marched to the State Capitol where the same program was repeated. Three beautiful "Songs of Lili'u" were rendered by Nalani 01ds Napolean at the statue of Hawaii's last reigning monarch. Virtually everyone later filed into the State Capitol Auditorium for the Native Hawaiians Study Commission hearing

before the U. S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. All four of Hawaii's congressional delegation are in unanimous agreement there are errors of fact in Volume I of the majority report. The testimony of all four, Matsunaga explained, have been entered into the committee's records. The hearing recessed 15 minutes into the noon hour and then resumed promptly at 2 p. m. The committee was assisted by staff from Washington, D. C., and from Matsunaga's Honolulu office whieh his headed by his brother, Andy. In brief opening remarks, Rep. Cecil Heftel made an interesting observation when he said:

"The six members (of the majority committee) are what I consider to be midlevel appointees. These hearings are critical and we will prevail." City Council Chairman Patsy Mink eosponsored legislation aimed at the settlement of native Hawaiian claims in the U. S. House 10 years ago when she was a member of that body.

State Rep. Peter Apo, a former OH A T rustee, places lei at base of Kamehameha statue during Na Ho'okupu ceremonies Apr. 16. In background are T. Clifford Anderson, husband of Mayor Eileen R. Anderson, who served as master of ceremonies. Also in background are members of the Ahahui Kaahumanu resplendent in their familiar hlaek organizational attire.