Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 12, 1 December 1988 — Our Readers Write. [ARTICLE]

Our Readers Write.

Kamaka Family Trial (Editor's note: In August 1981, the State of Hawai'i filed a lawsuit to condemn 124 parcels of land in Waiahole Valley, O'ahu, in order to develop an agricultural/residential park, and in order to gain clear title. More than 150 claimants eame forward. Two families settled with the state and three families went through to trial. One family, the Kamaka family defended their elaim in a June 1986 trial. In that trial, First Circuit Court Judge Frank Takao dismissed the jury and then found in favor of the State. In August 1987 the Hawai'i Supreme Court reversed Judge Takao's decision and ordered a new trial. The Kamaka family is represented by attorney Keoni Kealoha Agard. The OHA Board of Trustees has gone on record as supporting the family's case. Fo!lowing is a letter received from the family.) Editor: This month, the Kamaka family will be busily preparing for our upcoming trial. On January 23, 1989, a new jury will be selected and trial will begin. We are relying on an 1862 deed that transferred ownership of this ancestral !and. The State of Hawai'i is relying on a subsequent 1872 deed. . .State law says that the first deed in time prevails. . Our deed was already upheld in an 1886 lawsuit. . . We feel we must stand up for our rights and that we have just cause to do so. The Kamaka family says "Auwe". . .howmany times must we go to trial to prove ownership? We have used, occupied, and lived on this land since 1862. . .Our family has continued to use and occupy our ancestral lands through cultivation of crops, grazing of cattle, and placement of precious family gravesites. . . We, the Kamaka family, eall to the entire Hawaiian community for your kokua, support and

prayers. Please send letters of support to Attorney General Warren Price. We also strongly urge all concerned Hawaiians to show up and attend the jury trial to start in the week of January 23, 1989 at First Circuit Court at Kaahumanu Hale. This trial will be a good education for all Hawaiians, especially if you and your loved ones will also be fighting for your ancestral lands. Our family received public endorsement by the Office o'f Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees in September 1986 (and again in 1987 and 1988). We are grateful to OHA for their continued support in this important legal battle. Beverly Chung Adolpho, Betty L.K. Ahlo, Yvonne L. Bagor, Wanda L.L. Carroll, Ellwood Chung, George Chung, Leroy Chung, Richard Chung, David E.K. Cooper, Robert L.K. Cooper, Sr., William L.K. Cooper, Annie E. Kalauli, Heirs of Mililani Violet Kaleikini, Abraham K. Kamaka, Albert B. Kamaka, Benjamin Kamaka, Charles M. Kamaka, Heirs of Charles M. Kamaka, Daniel K. Kamaka, Heirs of John K. Kamaka, Joseph K. Kamaka, Jr., Ronald K. Kamaka, Raymond I. Kamaka, Stanley K. Kamaka, Kahiwaonalani William Kamaka, Dahlia Chung Lingo, Alfred Morita, Henrietta K. Pahia, Helene M. Toscano, Judy M.P. Tsutsui, Rachel N. Uu, Mileka Alama, Lillian Lopes, Esther Hana Shoaf also known as Elizabeth Shoaf. ANA grant workshop Aloha Kakou There was a workshop held at Leeward Community College on November 12. . .designed especially for the person who has never written a grant proposal before. lt was for applying for a grant from fhe federal Administration for Native

Americans, commonly called ANA. ANA is the major source of funds available exclusively to Native Americans for social and eeonomie development projects. This fiscal year there is $15 million available nationwide from ANA. A warm, remarkable employee of your staff Grants Specialist (Christine Valles) worked very hard to make it a success. Many hours of pains taking were spent to present and share very valuable information and materials. I interviewed several people and every one was grateful. Could you please pat 'em on the back? "Thank you" in plaee of complaint will make their work very pleasant. Deepest Aloha and Mahalo a nui loa, Lorna K. Ariola, Wai'anae