Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 11, 1 November 1990 — Hawaiian issues as seen by GOP [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian issues as seen by GOP

by Linden A. Burzell 3rd Vice Chairman and Chairman, Platform Committee Republican Party of Hawai'i Where does the Republican Party of Hawai'i stand regarding issues of importance and eoneem to the Hawaiian people? Let me begin by quoting from the 1990 platform of the Republican Party of Hawai'i: "The Republican Party supportsself-determina-tion for Native Hawaiians in managing their own affairs and resources. We believe that the definition of "Native Hawaiian," in terms of blood quantum or otherwise, is a matter for Native Hawaiians to resolve, and we pledge to honor their wishes as expressed by popular vote. "Recognizing in concept a government-to-government trust responsibility similar to that afforded to other native Americans, we will work to end dependency fostered by state and federal eontrol of ceded lands and the unlawful diversion of revenues therefrom. Hawaiian-controlled lands should be free to become enterprise zones so that Native Hawaiians ean fully share in our state's future prosperity. We will work with duly constituted governing bodies to improve environmental conditions and will ensure equitable participation by Native Hawaiians in state programs in health, housing, job training and education." l.et me also quote from three resolutions passed at our 1990 State Republican Party Convention: "Repub|icans eall on the State Legislature and the executive branch of the government of the State of Hawai'i to do the following: 1 ) to act immediately to fulfill their iong-standing obligation to provide funds and develop strategies to plaee all waiting families of native Hawaiians on

their ancestral lands; 2) to seek maximum federal assistance for this effort, including guaranteed federal home loans, farmer's home loans and federal block grants; 3) to defer further amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, such as a "purpose clause," until there has been a full discussion whieh results in an understanding on the part of the Hawaiian community and the general public of the implications of such proposed changes and a consensus that such changes are needed." "Republicans eall for restoration of integrity to the process and dignity to the Hawaiian people by: 1) immediate renegotiation of leases of trust lands now leased to the state and private individuals on unfair terms; 2) supporting the use of the Hawaiian nation's assets and the proceeds of leases for the construction of homes for Hawaiians on vacant Hawaiian land; 3) immediate earmarking of 20 percent of the renegotiated lease fees to be dedicated to funding the infrastructure needed to implement the homestead program and an immediate speedup of the rate at whieh applicants are moved onto their land; 4) on ceded lands whieh are not vacant and to whieh the Hawaiian nation has a legitimate elaim, supporting the payment of a negotiated royalty to native Hawaiians; and finally, 5) a re-examination of questionable or improper use of trust lands by private individuals and government and the implementation of managerial reforms to prevent the many abuses whieh are likely to be discovered." "Republicans eall for state and federal legislation to permit native Hawaiians to sue the state for enforcement of the Hawaiian Homes Commission

Act in state and federal courts." Unless these good words are translated into actions they do no practical good; translating actions into words is the job of the state Legislature and the state administration. Let's face facts: the Republican Party has been out of power in Hawai'i state government for a generation; Hawaii's Democrats have controlled the governorship, the state Senate and House of Representatives, and the judiciarv for longer than a majority of our citizens have been alive! The simple fact is that Republicans have not been in a position for 25 years to shape state policy to any significant extent. The responsibilityfor the failures and abuses of the past generation lies elsewhere: Hawai'i has for three decades been governed by the Democratic Party's vision, and presumably what has happened to the Hawaiian people in that time reflects the Democratic Party's preferred future for this great people. We Republicans disagree, as our Party's official platform clearly states. In summary, today's Republicans are deeply disturbed by the current plight and treatment of the Hawaiian people in their own land. We are eommitted to redress the grievances afflicted on Hawaiians onee Hawai'i's people, through their support in the voting booth, give us the opportunity to show what we ean do. We believe that the time has eome for the people of Hawai'i, and especially the Hawaiian people, to say "enough is enough." Give Hawai'i's Republicans a ehanee to put their words in action. Give the people of Hawai'i the benefit of a real twoparty system with open, honest discussion followed by action in the public interest. Working together, we ean build a better Hawai'i for all.