Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 6, 1 June 1994 — Our readers Write [ARTICLE]

Our readers Write

Thanks to Alu Like I was reading the April 1994 issue of Ka Wai Ola O OHA and really liked the article about Alu Like's aims to reform native Hawaiian offenders and exoffenders. I feel that Alu Like is a very special program. They understand lhat people who eome from prison have lots of problems. Alu Like not on!y helps them to find a job but gets personally involved to help offenders and ex-offenders understand their problems and their responsibilities to forgive, to love and to live in harmony and restitution with all mankind. Alu Like also re-introduces people to their heritage to let them know that they belong and have a purpose to live.

As a friend, I personally thank all members of the Alu Like program for helping and caring for people who have strayed and need a helping hand to get back on track. Keep up your good work and may God keep your 'ohana safe and strong. Joeann Lum Kāne'ohe, O'ahu Nā Pua No'eau I am the mother of six children and one foster child. Two of them are applying for the Nā Pua No'eau summer program. I wanted to voice my appreciation to OHA for funding these programs for our ioeal children. Here on Moloka'i our resources are limited, both economically and educationally, so these programs whieh

broaden and expose our ehildren's life experiences are that mueh more appreciated. I first leamed of the availability of these programs (on Maui, Kaua'i and Hawai'i) through an educational workshop held here in 1992. My children and I are excited that they have a ehanee, along with many others, to apply for these programs. We realize getting accepted is an honor. and if not chosen to participate, we will support OHA and your efforts to enlighten our children. Mahalo nui loa. Lori Buchanan Ho'olehua, Moloka'i

Kā'ai controversy According to Aunty Ruth Kaholoa'a, who was born and raised in Waipi'o and who is 89 years old, her grandfather told her that Llloa was living in Laupāhoehoe when his family in Waipi'o called him to become the haku (master or director) of his 'ohana in Waipi'o. When he died his remains were encased wiīhin the kā'ai and laid to rest. Later, Queen Ka'ahumanu ordered his bones to be removed from Waipi'o. (Their) removal would make way for the mana of King Kamehameha I to supercede all. It was a natural thing for her to do. It was not a natural thing to remove the bones of the haku of the 'ohana away from the family lands. The rightful plaee for the bones of the haku is within the confines of his own 'ili. ... It has been a great dishonor to the

'ohana of Waipi'o to have had their beloved haku removed from his 'ili, the plaee of his love and his honor, to see his remains displayed for the world to see. Neither I nor any of us would ever display any remains of our people before the public; or lay elaim over things whieh we do not own. I believe that through mutual respect and unification of heart and mind among our people, we will be able to achieve peaee and prosperity. Mālama pono. Liko o Hawai'i. S. Leikanui'okalani Tuinei Hilo, Hawai'i

A poliee officer tells investigators that it (missing kā'ai) is a very Hawaiian (sensitive) issue. "I don't know who took them. I don't want to know." ( Honolulu Advertiser, March 26): How ean he look at a eiime committed as being an ethnic issue? Taking the kā'ai is second degree burglary. "The theft occurred in 1858, when Kamehameha IV ordered the kā'ai removed from Hawai'i to the mausoleum at Pohukaina, 'Iolani Palaee, O'ahu." (Ka Wai Ola O OHA, April 1994, Trustee Akaka). How kīko'olā (rude) for anyone to imply, about the ali'i's jurisdiction, that it was a theft at that time. "Poliee traced it to Waipi'o and (it) was confirmed by Chief Nakamura. However, the chief denied telling her where the kā'ai might be, because the poliee don't know where they are." ( Hawai'i

Tribune Herald, March 29 citing State Sen. Eloise Tungpalan). The Kawananakoa family, Bishop Museum, Lili'uokalani Trust missed their ehanee to have a say in the future of the artifacts. By not participating they deferred to us, and by default, allowed us to make the decisions. All maka'āinana, according to ancient protocol, have no rights, let alone (to) countermand an order made in the early 1800s by successive ali'i until 1918. The numbers at the Honoka'a and 'Aiea gatherings totaled 150-plus. A sad and irresponsible representation to make any elaim or decision (out of) approximately more than 232.000 Hawaiians.

Auwē. My kūpuna are tuming in their graves. If you could hear their voices, they are saying: maha'oi (impertinent), lālama (meddler), hewa (wrong), etc. Dan Makuakane Pāhoa, Hawai'i (Editor's note: The Kawananakoa family, Bishop Museum, Queen Lili' uokalani Trust and Gov. Waihe'e had all agreed to a plan that was in progress at the time of the theft,for re-interring the kā'ai in a specially constructed repository at the Royal Mausoleum.) Recycling counts I would like to thank and eommend (Ka Wai Ola O OHA) for your recent environmental progress demonstrated in recycling newsprint. In my experience as chair of the House Energy and Environmental Protection

Committee, I have witnessed a strong move for environmental awareness throughout most industries in Hawai'i, none more than in the industry of whieh you are a part. As a legislator, I find myself in a position of continual struggle between preserving the environment and protecting the livelihood of businesses. I applaud your progress in recycling and thank you for being such a positive leader for other industries to follow. Anytime we ean achieve important environmental goals without passing legislation, our state is well served. Duke Bainum, State Rep. Dist. 21 (D)

roncy on L©ners Letters to the editor are gladly accepted for publication on a space-available basis. Letters should be: • specifically addressed to Ka Wai Ola O OHA ; and • legibly signed by the author, • accompanied by an address ; and/or te!ephone number(s) for , OHA reserves the right to edit all ; letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objec- . tionable contents. If you do not 1 want to see your letter cut, be sure ' it does not exceed 200 woids and : that it is typewritten and double- ; spacecL Send letters to: Editor, Ka ■ Wai Ola O OHA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd„ Suite 500, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813.