Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 1, 1 January 1993 — Sovereignty -- A contemporary approach [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Sovereignty -- A contemporary approach

by Rowena Akana Trustee-at-large We've talked about it, debated it, researched it, compiled informaūon on it,

rehashed it and < still we're not quite sure where we want to go or quite how we are going to achieve "it." Sovereignty. Many say sovereignty is inherent, we merely need to exercise that I

whieh is already of the Hawaiian people. Many say we will be sovereign when we reclaim what was taken from us unjustly. Everyone else falls somewhere in between these two concepts. Some say we should take it all back. Others say we need just enough to care for our people who are without clothing, shelter, food and schooling. Some woik on the issue of sovereignty every day, compelled by their hearts or their anger or maybe a little of both. Some have a spiritual guidance that moves through them like a warm breeze, washing over their lives with great purpose. Some fight

within the system and some bump up against the system from outside. The one eommonality is that all people striving to change the current status of Hawaiian people in

I Hawai'i do want to see sovereignty as a viable, breathing entity that has substantial evidence of improvement in daily lives. The history is indisputable and most agree some- ' thing should be

done. But what? How? To what degree? These are the questions that rip at the very fabric of solidarity. Why, with a peaceful and caring people like Hawaiians, is there such discord over an issue all would like to see become a reality? Arguments ean be made that "spoilers" from the system have been planted wiihin the ranks of the sovereignty movement to stifle any growth or advancement. Respect must be accorded the Hawaiian community's desire to forge their own future. Obviously there is little trust in outsiders weighing in with friendly advice. History speaks

for itself in this case. OHA ean play a part in the molding of the Hawaiian naūon, but that role must largely be of enabling the Hawaiian people to move autonomously to create their own nation. OHA is not a parent instilled with the onerous responsibility of discharging the very future of eaeh Hawaiian soul, but rather it would better serve the community by playing a supportive role of guidance and facilitation. OHA is best in its educational capacity of perpetuating the eulture by sponsoring Hawaiian events, increasing the visibility of the Hawaiian cause by keeping it in the forefront of the state Legislature every year, disseminating information about current happenings in the state with its wide audience in the Ka Wai Ola 0 OHA and respecting the process that must eome from the spirit of the people themselves. Montbs on the road with the OHA sovereignty eommiuee have opened my eyes to the depth and breadth this issue reaches in communities islandwide. The levels of passion reached when coming down to the nitty-gritty of enacting aelion never cease to amaze me. Some

things have become crystal clear. The time is now, the issue is ripe and there is a lot of work to be done on this healing journey. Enough with the "facts" of what occurred, when-where-why-how. Let those facts become the foundation upon whieh we build. Let's use history to propel us forward in the ultimate reality of sovereign status for Hawaiian people on Hawaiian land. I bear often that Hawaiians are unique and 1 agree. But we are not the first people to suffer under the tyranny of imposed leadership, and we will do well to learn from our brethren around the world. By studying struggling communities that have achieved full sovereignty we ean leam from their mistakes and accomplishments. I hold that the Hawaiian movement will be unique, but that is not to say we cannot gain mueh knowledge along the way that will ultimately save us time and heartache. There are incredible individuals in our community now who have a passionate dedication to bringing to light new information. They are our backbone.

There are others dedicated to bringing the information to our people. They become our eyes and ears to the world. There are still others who constantly remind us of our inner, spiritual selves and the importance of achieving goals in harmony. They are our conscience. All weigh equally in importance and all have their space in the movement. It is necessary to eneompass eaeh part of these lessons to create the whole of our goal. Let us understand our past, embrace it and eome to terms with iL January is the time. But from tbat pain and remembrance, let's walk away with a deeper and more meaningful conviction to change the future. As we do this, we must forever be mindful of broadening our circle of compassion for our sisters and brothers by extending our hands and welcoming their skill, talent or knowledge to the movement. In time, our strides will fall together naturally as eaeh step we take brings us closer to the spirit inside. It is then our Hawaiian sovereignty will engulf our people in justice. Aloha.