Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 7, 1 July 1988 — Officers Elected by New Nanakuli Group [ARTICLE]

Officers Elected by New Nanakuli Group

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamakai A. Ranahele III was recently elected president of the newly reorganized Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association. The group, formerly known as the Nanakuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, also elected Black Ho'ohuli as vice president; Midget Ei, secretarv; and David Garcia, treasurer.

Aloha: In response to Jan Newhouse's letter concerning trustee Moanikeala Akaka, I'd like to offer a few observations. First, Ms. Akaka is among the strongest and most outspoken proponents of Hawaiian and Polynesian integrity; and she does have her facts in order when she speaks and writes. The sting of truth is what has made Mr. Newhouse reeoil and react — good! This is the nature of truth and critical thinking. As a product of the cross cultural and social explosion that has occurred in Hawaii these last 100 plus years she reads very clearly indeed the numerous carrots on a stick and candied superficialities offered to Pacific Peoples by the big powers from Paris, Washington or wherever. Hawaii is the center of the Pacific and Akaka is right on in condemning the colonialistic attitude that dominates French Policy, and to a degree lingers about Hawaii. Apparently Mr. Newhouse has not bothered to see the video Tahiti Witness whieh Akaka is reviewing and commenting upon in her article. The video is shocking, the witnesses convincing and the reposting responsible (it was made in New Zealand). Obviously the French would rather the matter were continued unbeknown to the peoples of Polynesia and the world. Let us not forget that the French blew up the Rainbow Warrior, killing a young Portuguese environmentalist and had intentions of killing the entire hierarchy of Greenpeace on board the vessel, and would have had the crew not gone ashore unexpectedly. I'm sure Jan Newhouse will find reason to condone this murder and sabotage in being, unwittingly or not, an apologist for France's lingering eolonial aspirations. The fact of the matter is that the Peoples of Polynesia today must defend the integrity of the environment and culture, land, sea and air. Short of this we are remiss in our responsibilities as the generation in charge. Trustee Akaka is consistent in warning us of events that threaten to short circuit the future of Hawaii and the Pacific; the environmental well being and the advancement and protection of indigenous cultures depends on what we do today! Needless to say this is no easy task, but it must be done if the Pacific community is to live out the bright future so many anticipate. Nothing, but nothing will prosper if the Pacific is made a polluted, radioactive, stripped mined sea bottom — environmental disaster! If anything, Ms. Akaka has been too patient with the foot draggers who are anxious to play ball with these whose eoneem is quick profit and see not the danger to the Hawaii we all elaim to love. Jan Newhouse is an example of the attitude that traditionally separates the intelligentsia from the eommon people; he knows history yet prefers to cover up the trespasses to comfort the status quo. I would be interested in seeing Mr. Newhouse's remarks AFTER he has viewed the video Tahiti Witness. It is available by calling the OHA office, although I understand OHA paid no part of Ms. Akaka's recent Tahiti trip. It has been a long time since these Hawaiian Islands have had anyone as politically akamai as Trustee Moanikeala Akaka speaking out for Polynesia against abuses heaped upon these gentle and good Pacific Peoples. There are many who will make excuses and compromise away the integrity of Polynesians; but the day is definitely past when these abuses will go unnoticed and unchallenged. For all his studies and contacts with the Pacific the good professor has not eome to understand the magic of Aloha Aina. We agree on the fact that OHA is becoming an important vehicle in determining the future of these Islands and the newspaper Ka Wai Ola O OHA is playing a key role in getting the ideas out there for discussion. This is a Hawaiian glasnost. Mahalo and Buena Suerte, TomasBelsky, Hilo