Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 3, 1 March 1988 — 'We Accomplished Things Onee Considered lmpossible' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'We Accomplished Things Onee Considered lmpossible'

Harrington: Exercise Hawaiian Power in Vote

By Deborah Lee Ward, Assistant Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA As the eventng's program of enjoyable entertainment by Hawaii's finest singers, musicians and dancers drew to its conclusion, it was a time to thank the thousands of participants. This large ohana of supporters truly demonstrated the spirit of Unity Day by giving countless hours, effort and aloha as did the 50,000 who eame from all the islands and abroad to attend this historic occasion. With song, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees also honored the "Na Ali'i" or forefathers who onee led this land, and in "Hawaii Aloha" all Hawaiians past, present and future who share in its growth. OHA Board Chairman and Kauai and Niihau Trustee Moses K. Keale Sr.: "Ho'olokahi provides a challenge to eaeh of us as we approach the 21st century. It also provides us the answer for years to eome. This is the answer as we feel good about ourselves. This is a new OHA, a new beginning, a board that works together." ,A rousing ovation greeted members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and crew members of the Hokule'a voyaging eanoe. The ,voyages of the Hokule'a are part of a restored pride in Hawaiian culture, renewed ties to Polynesian brothers and symbolic of a new age of vision and achievement for Hawaii's people. Other special guests on stage included Governor John David Waihee III, U. S. Rep. Daniel K. Akaka, OHA Trustee and Ho'olako President Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr., Sam Ka'ai, Lt. Gov. Eni Hunkin of American Samoa and Henry K. Giugni, U. S. Senate sergeant-at-arms, the first Hawaiian ever to serve in this position. The program concluded on a powerful and positive emohonal high as masters of ceremonies A1 Harrington, Clayton Naluai and Zoulou, through songs and uplifting messages, reminded us all how mueh has been accomplished by Hawaiians. Harrington pointed to OHA, established through the democratic process, as a primary force for bringing about progress for the Hawaiian people. He said: "We must not forget the power shown this evening. That power is in the power of the vote. All of us must take this power and use it to bring about pride in our heritage. Let us not be afraid of the system but use it to bring back the things we thought we lost. We never really lost it. We ean attain all things. In a fervent exhortation to the thousands assembled in the stadium, Harrington urged all Hawaiians to stand firm to the dream of a strong, united Hawaiian people: "They said it was impossible to bring together 50,000 Hawaiians in a display of unity. But look at what happened today for the indigenous people of these islands. "They said the Polynesian peoples settled the Pacific by accident. The Hokule'a proved to the western world that purposeful voyaging was and is

possible. The Hokule'a became a vision that was fulfilled. "They said it was impossible to create and maintain an agency to oversee the concerns and issues vital to the Hawaiian people. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has for 10 years been addressing the fundamental concerns of native Hawaiians and continues to make progress in laying the foundation for increased benefits and rights in years to eome. "They said it was impossible for a Hawaiian governor to be elected. But one man stood up and said it was possible and today we have that man here, Hawaii's first Hawaiian governor, John David Waihe'e III.

"They said it was impossible to elect a Hawaiian representative to Congress. Today we have Rep. Daniel K. Akaka here as proof they were wrong. "All of these things were onee considered impossible. But we have accomplished them against the odds. We must never lose our vision. All things are possible to those who believe and support eaeh other." As Harrington and Naluai shared in song the inspirational words from "The Impossible Dream" composition, those in the stand and on the field joined hands in a giant circle, symbol of unity, to send forth from Ho'olokahi, Aloha Stadium, a spirit of hope, renewed pride and vision for the future.

Deputy registrars from John and Lita Cook's Hawaii Pa'u Riders man this voter registration table and sign up new voters.

Aulani Ahmad, one of Don Ho's former dancers who was recently named Oahu Secretary of the Year (see separate story this issue), does the hula to Kaulana Na Pua. Looking on in background from left to right are Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr., A (Frenchy) DeSoto, Governor John David Waihee III, OHA Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. (partially hidden behind Mrs. Ahmad), T rustees Clarence F.T. Ching, Moanikeala Akaka and Louis Hao.

Kohala's Lim Family was one of many, many groups who entertained the large crowd.

The banner clearly spells out who's sitting in this section. This is one of many families who used the occasion of Ho'oiokahi to eome together.