Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 10, 1 December 1984 — Chairman's New York Visit Seeks NAACP Kokua for Resolution [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Chairman's New York Visit Seeks NAACP Kokua for Resolution

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is asking the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to support OHA's efforts to seek restitution for the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian government in 1893. OH A Chairman Joseph Kealoha met with Dr. Benjamin Hooks and members of his staff atNAACP New York headquarters Nov. 15. Kealoha pointed out similarities in the eeonomie and social problems faced by both Hawaiians and blacks. Noting that the NAACP traditionally has ehampioned tne rights of all minorities and disadvantaged people regardless of race, Kealoha asked for NAACP adoption of OHA's resolution seeking redress from Congress for the illegal overthrow and its consequences. The resolution was adopted by the Honolulu Branch lastJune. At that time, Honolulu Branch President Ira Vanterpool wrote Dr. Hooks urgingsupport by the75-year-old national civil rights organi?ation. Vanterpool told Hooks that the Honolulu Branch supports aeioption of the resolution because "We sincerely feel that an injustice on thepart ofthe U.S. Government against a minority people was committed and correction must be made ..." Following his New York meeting with Dr. Hooks, Kealoha said he is hopeful that the resolution will be considered by the full NAACP Board of Directors at its next meeting in January, 1985.

Dr. Benjamin Hooks, executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Joseph Kealoha meet to discuss Hawaiian reparations recently in New York City.