Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 5, 1 May 1994 — Our Readers Write [ARTICLE]

Our Readers Write

Return of Washington Plaee — not eleetion year bait

Lt. Govemor Ben Cayetano is right in recognizing the inappropriateness of using Washington Plaee as the official residence of the state govemor. It is equally inappropriate and demeaning, however, to offer Washington Plaee as an eleehon year bait to attract the vote of Hawaiians. Washington Plaee should be retumed to its rightful owners, not because of an eleehon year promise, but because it is pono (right).

Washington Plaee served as the home of Queen Lili'uokalani, and her husband's family before her, until her death in 1917. The Queen's deed of tmst provided for use of the home by members of her 'ohana during their lifetime, after whieh it was to revert to the Lili'uokalani Trust (whieh she set up to benefit orphaned and destitute Hawaiian children after her death). Unfortunately, the home never did revert to the tmst. Four years after the Queen's death, the Territorial Govemment used its powers of eminent domain to acquire the property. In spite of that, the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center has served over 200,000 children (according to agency reports). Yes, Washington Plaee should be returned to benefit our Hawaiian children. Queen Lili'uokalani wanted it that way. Why wait for elections? Do it because it is pono. Lee Kamalau Honolulu, Hawai'i