Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 9, 1 September 1993 — Hui Naʻauao [ARTICLE]

Hui Naʻauao

Sovereignty & Self-Determination A Community Education Project

This article is the third in a series on Hui Na'auao, a threeyear sovereignty education pro-je-ct. Last month's article covered the continuing Ho'āla workshop *, whieh give historieal, cultural and legal bases for native Hawaiian sovereignty. The articles in this series are contributed by Hui Na'auao and presented by Ka Wai Ola O OHA as a service to our readers. Since January 1993, the 100th anniversary of the American invasion of the Hawaiian kingdom, requests for workshops have increased dramatically. Feedback from workshop participants indicates their strong interest in examining the many viewpoints and approaches to sovereignty proposed by native Hawaiian sovereignty advocates. They would now like to go beyond the facts of the over-

throw to discuss eeonomie, politieal and social ramifications of sovereignty and self-determina-tion. The second phase of the Hui's plan is to "Ho'okāhua," to lay a foundation. The workshop, "Ho'okāhua, Part 1: Elements and Models of Sovereignty," examines components of sovereignty including citizenship, land management, eeonomie development, governmental structure, educational systems, inter-gov-ernmental relationships, taxes, administration of justice, etc. Existing Native American and international models of sovereignty will be presented and discussed. "Ho'okāhua, Part 2: Models of Hawaiian Sovereignty" will focus on models within the prosovereignty movement in Hawai'i. This set of workshops

includes video presentations, small group discussions and question-and-answer periods in a forum where individuals may learn at their own paee. The workshops lay a foundation for discussion to help participants examine issues and make more informed decisions later. This foundation of knowledge may serve as an incentive for nā kānaka maoli to carry such understanding to its fullest expression — restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty and selfdetermination. Ho'okāhua's statewide forums feature a cross-section of individuals and organizations whose views represent some of the most advanced thinking on sovereignty and self-determination. These forums provide the public with opportunities to interact with many organizations who seek,

practice and are concemed about Hawaiian sovereignty and selfdetermination. Hui Na'auao facilitators suggest that prospective participants prepare for the workshops by thinking about state and federal governments, how they are supposed to run and how they actually run. Also, they might seek information on Pacific island nations and territories because Hawai'i shares many similar struggles in ecology, economics and cultural awareness. And, they might eome with a vision of sovereignty and what it means to them. Suggested follow-up to the workshop: people should contact and find out more about about other sovereignty groups. If they are already involved, they ean advance more specific ideas about how a sovereign govern-

ment should operate. Also, one should enlist another group of native Hawaiians to take the Ho'okāhua workshop, so it ean reach the broadest range of nā kānaka maoli. For more information on the Ho'okāhua workshop series for groups of 10 or more, eall O'ahu workshop coordinator Lynette Cruz at 671-6699, or Hui Na'auao at 947-6322. Upcoming events: KHVHNews 99 airs a new Hui Na'auao radio series at 5 a.m. and 7:05 p.m. on the second Sunday of eaeh month. Also, " 'O Ka Āina Presents," a weekly kānaka maoli program by Nā Maka 'O Ka Āina airs on cable ehannel 22 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, 17 and 24.