Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 3, 1 March 1994 — Our Readers Write [ARTICLE]

Our Readers Write

To the editor: I recently asked for a meeting of the "five Trustees" who signed an affidavit, stating that they voted for another person as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator, whieh is now in the hands of the Attorney General*s Office as an "official complaint." My request was ignored by one honorable and arrogantly snubbed by another, declaring "It did not meet open meeting requirements and because the Attorney General had not been notified."

This is a sad example of "practice what one preaches." Notwithstanding the embarrassment of this whole silly matter, I dared to take this pilikia to a higher level, the Hawaiian way — ho'oponopono. TTie time for repentance is now past. It would have been far less agonizingly painful (the Hawaiian way) compared to what now hangs over the head of one "Trustee" who has committed "perjury." Samuel L. Kealoha, Jr. OHA Trustee, Moloka'i & Lāna'i

To the editor: I commend OHA for its support and coverage of the Te Waka Toi exhibit. However, little attention was paid by OHA in recognizing the work of Hawaiian artists whose serious efforts mirror their Maori counterparts. As long as contemporary Hawaiian art fails to be effectively reviewed and interpreted, particularly by Hawaiian journalists, the contemporary Hawaiian art movement will continue to remain "underground." Hawaiians and nonHawaiians alike will fail to benefit by this unique visual expression.

I ask that future exhibits of this type be provided space and attention. Contemporary Hawaiian art, like language and dance, is an important expression of culture that ean only prosper when supported by the institutions of the Hawaiian community. Your assistance and support is desperately needed to expand the definition of contemporary art to include the contribution and perspective of native Hawaiians. Herman Pi'ikea Clark, Jr. Honolulu, Hawai'i

To the editor: Thank you for publishing such an accurate and informative paper. I live in California and a friend brought me a copy of Ka Wai Ola O OHA from O'ahu when she was visiting relatives. I love it and believed I learned more from reading the August (1993) issue than I could have researching for many hours on my own. I write and am greatly interested in the revival of Hawaiian eulture. Could you do some articles about the South Point area of Hawai'i island? I am especially

interested in koa canoes and early eanoe landings in the Hawaiian islands. Do you have a contact person that I might write to, who is an expert in this field? Carol Koehler Hebert Benicia, Califomia (Editor's note: Readers who know of experts in early history ofSouth Point, early eanoe landings in Hawai'i, and koa canoes are invited to contact Ka Wai Ola O OHA. Mahalo!) continued page 12

[?]

from page 4 To the editor: As more monies are being received by Hawaiian organizations, the responsibilities these organizations have towards the Hawaiian people likewise increases. Native claims to politieal sovereignty ean only be aided by efficient and meanihgful use of what money has already been allocated for Hawaiian use. In the same breath, waste and/or mismanagement of "Hawaiian money" ean only hinder and be detrimental to the long-suffering cause of Hawaiian sovereignty. The leaders of today's Hawaiian organizations must be willing and able to display a higher sense of community responsibility than

that shown by our federal and state governments. Without possessing the vast tax resources of the United States or State of Hawai'i, Hawaiian groups must be more diligent and exacting in the usage of what eeonomie resources we do have. Our ancestors lived this concept daily, by utilizing the 'āina to its greatest production (without destroying it). The same principle ean be applied to eeonomie, political and educational

resources as well. In short, people resources. Let us not follow the path of waste, but rather, let us reclaim the path of stewardship. What we do today not only affects us, but our children and our children's children. Charles Wagnersmith III Honomuni, Moloka'i Pollcy on Letters Letters to the editor are gladly accepted for publication on a space-available basis. Letters shall be: • specifically addressed to Ka Wai Oia O OHA; and • !egibly signed by the author; and

• accompanied by an address and/or telephone number(s) for verification purposes. OHA reserves the right to edil all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable contents. Letters cannot exceed 200 words and must be typewritten and doublespaced. Send letters to: Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 500, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813.