Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 3, 1 March 1993 — "Spirit of Lōkahi (Unity)" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Spirit of Lōkahi (Unity)"

by Abraham Aiona, ViceChairman Trustee, Maui "Lōkahi" is defined in the Hawaiian dictionary as "unity, agreement, unison, accord and harmony," and that is what we saw exhibited during the week of the Centennial Observance ('Onipa'a) of the overthrow of

the Hawaiian nation in 1893. Although the solemn occasion and ceremonies brought back history and sad memories, they bore fruit as a reminder that a "wrong" had been done 100 years ago, and as a direction for

us to follow. The ultimate goal is sovereignty and the restoration of our sovereign nation. This is the time and we must seize the opportunity. As you may already know through the media and other sources, OHA has submitted bills "Relating to a Hawaiian Congress" in both houses of our legislature (H.B.1992/S.B.2129). As the bills wind their way through the various committees, we know that there will be some who may not like them or who may disagree with the proposal simply because it is an OHA pro-

posal. Others may not like it because their own organization has its own proposal for the establishment of a Hawaiian nation. Although we may disagree in some areas, it is important that we "talk story" and then agree to "lōkahi" in the pursuit of our goal: sovereignty and the establishment of our Hawaiian nation.

OHA's proposal is a democratic one in whieh the Hawaiian voters would elect the 101 delegates to the Hawaiian Congress. Those elected to represent their own districts would convene on Sept. 2, the birthdate of Queen

Lili'uokalani, to begin drafting a document for a Hawaiian nation over a 60-day period. There would then be a 21day recess to allow delegates to take back the proposed constitution to their people for hearings and input. Upon their return to the eongress, the delegates would have 2 1 days to finalize the document. The document would then be ratified by the Hawaiian voters and completed by Jan. 17, \99%, 101 years after the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. It is an enormous task with an

ambitious timetable and deadlines. However, we at OHA are confident that the "spirit of lōkahi" will prevail. As Gov. John D. Waihe'e said in his State-of-the State address to the 1993 Legislature, "So / eall upon you to support a proposal by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to convene a Hawaiian Congress, for all Hawaiians to elect their representatives, and to meet in convention."

These words eame from our own Hawaiian governor, a keiki-o-ka-'āina, and we should work toward our goal by establishing the framework during his term in office. What a fitting tribute this would be to our people and to our Governor Waihe'e. We must "lōkahi" and unify our Hawaiian people. It is therefore important that as Hawaiians we all lobby for passage of the bill by enlisting the aid of others in our community who know the plight of the Hawaiians and the injustices endured over 100 years. Justice shall prevail! Me ke aloha pumehana.