Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 12, 1 December 1997 — If you ask me... [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

If you ask me...

1) What is the foremost issue impacting Hawaiians today? 2} Do you feel included in decisions that affect Hawaiians?

Questions were posed to Hawaiians at the recent AOHCC convention in San Diego. ~

Luana Sala

Waipahu, 0 'ahu 1) Hcalth. If we don't do something to improve the overall health of our people, then all else is nothing. Teach them to understand the old lifestyle and diet that includes kalo and 'uala. 2) Yes. I try to put as mueh time as I ean into our eommunity, but my 'ohana comes first. After that, ī'm committed to participate.

Henrv Gomes

Mililani, O'ahu 1 ) Political sovereignty. The discussions on sovereignty today are very different from what they were a decade ago. There are sociological problems among the Hawaiian "transplants" who have had to move away. Political sovereignty could impact increased self-esteem.

2) Yes, directly through the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and indirectly through my job as an educator and researcher.

Kanani Kapuni'ai

Waimea, Hawai'i 1) There is apathy among Hawaiians about their health. Seeking health prevention doesn't seem important. They wait until there is a health emergency, and by that time it's too late for prevention. 2) I or anyone ean feel as included relative to what you put into it. If we want to leam and participate, we have to get involved. If we just sit back, others will eonhnue to make decisions for us.

Bill Keoniana Kelly

Orem, Utah 1) Education. We need to be educated in many things. Native rights, academics and cultural issues.

2) I have not been previously involved. We are so far away that by the time information filters down to us, it's too late to impact any decisions.

Kauanoe Kamana

Hilo, Hawai'i 1) Education. Our challenge is to get involved in education and 'direct' it. In that way, we will help to determine the knowledge necessary for our children in the century to eome. We must unite in our mana'o, and not be satisfied with the status quo. Otherwise, we won't go anywhere. We have for a long time promoted lōkahi (harmony), laulima (cooperation) and pono (halanee, righteousness). But how are we living these words? Our children ean work alongside of us on these goals. Akamai lākou (they are smart). 2) I participate in decisions. 'Ma ka hana ka 'ike' (in the task is the knowledge and understanding). You do not have to be invited to participate in decisions that impact Hawaiians. This belongs to us. ■

Sala

Gomes

Kapuni'ai

Kelly

Kamana