Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 1, 1 January 1994 — COME TOGETHER FOR JUSTICE [ARTICLE]

COME TOGETHER FOR JUSTICE

MERICAN courage is often tested by the need to stand up and fight for our country. The United States has never failed to meet this test. But a truer test of national character is the willingness to admit wrong and to apologize for harm done. Last November, the United States demonstrated this courage when Congress passed and President Clinton signed "Senate Joint Resolution 19." This resolution clearly recognizes the illegal participation ofU.S. diplomats and mihtary forces in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom 100 years ago; the resultant loss of Hawaiian sovereignty and the denial of Hawaiian rights; and the taking of 1,800,000 acres of government, crown and pubhc lands without consent or compensation.

lt also acknowledges that these actions are the basis for Native Hawauan claims against the federal government, and states that "nothing in this Joint Resolution is intended to serve as a settlement" of any of these claims. This first step in redressing the harms of more than a century ago is gratefuhy aeknowledged. Mahalo a nui loa especially to Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye, and Representatives Patsy .Mink and Neil Abercromliie, for their leadership in securing this apology. But many more steps wih be needed before justice truly is done. That's why — as Native Hawauans and Americans — we need your help and support. E ho'olōkahi i kūpono. Come together for justice. The determination and basic goodness to achieve justice is the ideal of the American spirit. It is also the Aloha spirit. By working together — for eaeh other, for justice — we will meet this test.

Excerptsfrom Senate Joint Resolution 1 9 November 23, 1 993 "To acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and to offer an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United Statesfor the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. " "...Acknowledgement and apology, the Congress —

• " . . . apologizes to native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United Statesfor the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on January 17, 1893 with the participation of agents and citizens of the United States, and the deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination and • " . . . expresses its commitment to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, in order to provide a proper foundation for reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people. . . " ". . . Nothing in this Joint Resolution is intended to serve as a settlement of any claims against the United States. "

If you wish to learn more about the history of Hawaiian claimsfor land and sovereignty, or want to help develop and deliver the message of justice, please eall or write the OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS

For more information, contact the: OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS O'ahin 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste 500 • Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 586-3777 FAX: 586-3799 Kaua'h 3100 Kūhiō Highway, C-4 • Lihu'e, HI 96766 Phone: 246-3511 FAX: 246-9551 Maui: 140 Ho'ohana St., Ste 206 • Kahului, HI 96732 Phone: 243-5170 FAX: 243-5016 Moloka'i: P.O. Box 1717 • Kaunakakai, HI 96748 Phone: 553-3611 FAX: 553-3968 Hawai'i: 688 Kino'ole St., LInit 4A • Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: 933^1349 FAX 933-4744 75-5706 Hanama Plaee, Ste 106A Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Phone: 329-7368 FAX: 326-7928 Or elip and mail the accompanying response form to OHA.

I 1 I I □ YES! 1 believe n American Justice for Native Haivaiians. I I Please send me the full text of Senate Joint Resolution 19. I I Send me more information on Hawaiian claims. I I Call me to schedule a speaker for my organization. I I Call me to help. Name I I Address I I I I Phone I I