Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 8, 1 August 1989 — "Operation 'Ohana" annouced [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Operation 'Ohana" annouced

OHA launches registry of Hawaiians

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launeheel a massive effort to register Hawaiians everywhere, creating a powerful cohesive force for the benefit of today's Hawaiians and those of generations to eome. The worldwide effort, called "Operation 'Ohana", was to be announced formally at a July 27 news conference in the office ofGovemor John Waihee. The Governor and members of his 'ohana were to be among the first to sign "Operation 'Ohana" registration forms. OHA Administrator Richard K. Faglinawan told Ka Wai Ola O OHA, "This is an exciting time to be Hawaiian. There is only one way for us to go, and that is forward and upward." However, according to Paglinawan, there are big gaps in the basic demographic information about Hawaiians. "In order for us to advance, we must find out how many Hawaiians there are out there, where they live and determine their needs and concerns."

Faglinawan said, "There is no one entity whieh has these data. We are working with organizations such as the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Kamehameha Schools, Alu Like, Lunalilo Home ahd the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center to gather this vital information for the use and benefit of all Hawaiian groups." The only way to aeeomplish this goal, Paglinawan says, is through the 'ohana, the basic institution of Hawaiian culture. OHA Chairman Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr. agrees. "From a practical point of view, the only way we ean achieve our manifest destiny is with numbers. When we are in a position to quote aecurate figures on the number and concentration of Native Hawaiians, they will have to listen . . . not only here in the Islands, but in Washington as well." OHA has printed a brochure describing the goals and purpose of "Operation 'Ohana". The continued on page 3

Operation Ohana: A wor!dwide effort to register native Hawaiians everywhere through the basic institution of Hawaiian culture (Douglas Peebles)

Operation 'Ohana From page 1

following information is taken from that brochure. The faces of Hawai'i are constantly changing. Hawaiian faces, too, are changing. And today's Hawaiians have many different identities. But they also share something whieh transcends all differences — their Hawaiian ancestry and culture. Hawaiian ancestry gives all Hawaiians a unique heritage, one that is rooted in the cultural and eeonomie history of Hawai'i. It draws upon generations of cultural and ethnic traditions, from family values to care of the land. But the opportunity to fully share in that heritage compels today's Hawaiians to join together in a powerful ethnic allianee. It requires a return to the unifying source — Hawaiians say "ho'i hou i ka mole" . . . return to the tap root. It is time to stand up and be counted as po'e Hawai'i. Determination and the sheer strength of numbers will provide the means for Native Hawaiians to obtain what is rightfully theirs. A unified Hawaiian people ean influence decisions whieh will benefit many generations of Hawaiians throughout the U.S. and Pacific region. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has organized an enrollment program whieh offers that opportunity. Operation 'Ohana enables all Hawaiians to speak with one voice, in an allianee whieh draws its strength from Hawaiian pride and historic rights. Operation 'Ohana will unite all Hawaiians in a eommon association, and move them closer to their birthright. I luna a'e! 'Ohana means lokahi 'Ohana is one of those special words inspired by the Hawaiian's reverence for living things. It comes from the word 'oha, meaning the buds or offshoots by whieh the taro plant reproduces itself. 'Ohana articulates the wonder and beauty that early Hawaiians saw in their favored taro. From this, they understood the binding power of love

and kinship that holds a family together. Today, the 'ohana system, the family system, is one of the most strongly held values of the Hawaiian people. It unifies families and eommunities, and allows them to function in a complex society. When the 'ohana is strong, its members are well. Operation 'Ohana builds on the traditional family system. It gives all Hawaiians an opportunity to transform family decisions into personal action that will keep their community moving forward. 'Ohana means ha'aheo Through Operation 'Ohana, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs invites people of Hawaiian ancestry to become part of an exclusive Hawaiian association. This association will include Hawaiians from all over the world who are willing to take a stand for their heritage. An 'Ohana association offers unlimited possibilities. It helps OHA determine how best to distribute benefits from federal programs addressing health, education and eeonomie development. It qualifies Hawaiians for special group benefits to be organized by OHA, including group insuranee and group discounts on selected retail and services purchases. Enrollment also helps re-establish cultural practices within family units. And it makes possible a genealogical library for Hawaiian families. More importantly, it establishes a framework to help OHA and other Hawaiian organizations identify issues of eoneem to all Hawaiians. 'Ohana means enrollment OHA sees an association of 150,000 enrolled Hawaiians by July 1990. To do this, OHA volunteers will be contacting eaeh individual 'ohana to collect basic data on family structure and history. A more complete data-gathering process will

follow in phase two, with emphasis on information needed to determine possible future benefits. Official Hawaiian membership will be granted through a special card that will qualify the carrier for special discounts, native American benefits and OHA elections. 'Ohana means kokua OHA is actively seeking volunteers to assist in the data-gathering and interviewing process of enrolling Hawaiians. These volunteers will serve as liaisons with specific 'ohana groups. And they will help recruit and train other volunteers for the task of enrolling all persons of Hawaiian ancestry. 'Ohana means you If you are of Hawaiian ancestry, you carry a proud heritage that ean be traced back many generations. You also carry the power to affect the future of your fellow Hawaiians for many generations more. By enrolling as a card-carrying Hawaiian, you join the movement toward greater unity and pride in your heritage. And you become part of the unified voice that will enable Hawaiian issues to be heard in Honolulu and Washington D.C. Enroll now! I luna a'e! For enrollment information or to volunteer for "Operation 'Ohana, contact the Office of Hawaiian Affairs: O'ahu: - Honolulu 1600 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1500 . 9462642 Kaua'i - Lihue Lihue Shopping Center, Room 219245-4390 Moloka'i - Kaunakakai Thomas Trade Center, Room 103 553-3611 Maui - Wailuku 400 Hookai Street, Room 206 244-4219 Hawai'i - Hilo 688 Kinoole Street, Unit 4A 961-7349 Hawai'i - Kailua-Kona 75-5706 Hanama Plaee, 106-B .... 329-7368