Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 7, 1 July 1996 — What next: the follow up to a "yes" vote [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

What next: the follow up to a "yes" vote

by Patrick Johnston On December 31, 1996, the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council will cease to exist. By that time, Hawaiians will have decided whether they wish to elect delegates to continue the process toward selfdetermination, or to wait for a future date to pursue the issue. A "yes" vote would set a number of things in motion. The first question to be addressed would be HSEC's replacement. One option would be to continue the Council, possibly with OHA funding, and have HSEC oversee the election of delegates and organize the convention. Another possibi!ity would be for OHA to take over the entire process, and contract an organization to manage the election. A third option would be to take it back to the Hawaiian eommunity on eaeh island and let them decide how to continue the process. After determining who would be overseeing the process after the vote and where the funds would eome from, the next step would be the election of delegates. Council members have proposed that individuals interested in being delegates be 18 years or older, of Hawaiian ancestry and not incarcerated. They have also supported Mainland representation. Councilmembers have also discussed the importance of delegates residing in the district they represent. However, no decisions were made as to how long they needed to have lived in that district to establish eligibility. Apportionment has not been determined but some councilmembers have suggested using the traditional moku and ahupua'a of 1848. Based on the least populated moku, there would be a minimum of five delegates per moku with a total of 209 delegates going to the central convention. The Mainland would be treated as one moku and would send five delegates.

Budgetary constraints could put limits on the number of delegates per moku. If that was the case, it has been suggested that the minimum number of delegates per moku be reduced to three with 101 going to the convention. To vote for delegates, individuals would have to be Hawaiian and 18 years of age. Prison inmates not yet fully discharged

would not be able to vote. The elections would be conducted through a mail-out ballot. After the selection of delegates, there would be the convention. The eonvention could take as long as three months and be structured like American conferences — in a formal conventioncenter atmosphere - or more Hawaiian style, outside in a relaxed, informal setting. The eouneil also discussed the possibility of having halawai or mini conventions on eaeh island prior to the central convention. Upon completion of the convention, Hawaiians would vote to ratify the delegates' proposal(s). If one is accepted, it would be taken to the state, federal or international level to negotiate and press for implementation. When this would take plaee has not been decided. HSEC director Lulani McKenzie says it could be in two years or it could be in 20. It

depends on the will of the Hawaiian people and the ability to raise funds. The upcoming vote does not address the question of funds or time. It only allows for the creation of a process for Hawaiians to eome together and discuss their future as a nation. To help with these efforts, the HSEC has created a non-profit organization - Ha

Hawai'i - to help raise funds for a future election and convention in the event of a "yes" vote. The non-profit is also promoting Hawaiian self-govemance and providing education about Hawaiian tyFor more information on Ha Hawai'i eall HSEC at 587-2834.