Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 1, 1 January 1996 — A Hawaiian plebiscite for all Hawaiians [ARTICLE]

A Hawaiian plebiscite for all Hawaiians

0 H A U P 3 e

This month's issue carries a full page advertisement by Ka Lāhui Hawai'i whieh opposes the "State of Hawai'i Plebiscite." This ad is being published by Ka Wai Ola O OHA in the interest of allowing OHA voters and readers of Ka Wai Ola O OHA to consider for themselves what is being said about the plebiscite, and to investigate the facts regarding the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council plebiscite — what its real purpose is, and what it means to all Hawaiians, worldwide. A plebiscite is an official vote of the people on a special issue or question. It will ask this question: "Shall the Hawaiian people elect delegates to propose a native Hawaiian government?" If the majority of Hawaiians vote "yes" there will be an election of delegates to begin the process of developing a native govemment for all Hawaiians to consider and formally approve. A "no" vote means there will be no such process funded by the Legislature at this time. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Tmstees has taken official action to support and partially fund this historymaking plebiscite because OHA consid-

ers this a truly Hawaiian plebiscite, whieh, for the first time in our history, gives all Hawaii:ms, the opportunity to decide for themselves on whether they wish to begin a process to rebuild the Hawaiian nation and to resolve over 100 years of injustice. Those who say the plebiscite will not provide any land for Hawaiians, nor sovereignty, nor change for Hawaiians are presenting a misleading impres-

sion. It would be improper for the plebiscite to attempt to do these things without the Hawaiian people first having a ehanee to meet to discuss such very important questions such as: What model of sovereignty should be adopted? What lands should be returned to the nation? These are matters whieh are deserving of full and fair discussion by all Hawaiians in a convention of delegates. The Ka Lāhui ad claims that Section 14 of House Bill 3630, whieh created the HSEC, leaves Hawaiians "powerless to change their status in the state." But Sect.

14 just states the obvious, that the State of Hawai'i cannot violate its laws and constitution by agreeing in advance to the decisions of another sovereign entity. When Hawaiians form their nation, they must negotiate with the state and federal governments to press their claims. The laws and constitutions will then be amended to reflect the results of these negotiations. The Hawaiian

plebiscite is a first step. When all Hawaiians participate in the plebiscite, by voting and returning their ballots, then we are taking that step together. For informational brochures about the Hawaiian plebiscite and the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council, eall the HSEC at 587-2834. Neighbor islands and mainland U.S. eall 1-800-95-VOTER.