Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 7, 1 July 1999 — COMMUNITY COMMENTARY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

for a dozen years, OHA has convened Hawaiian high school juniors from across the islands to learn about leadership, government, culture, sovereignty and the legislative process. On June 18, the final day of the week-long program, delegates shared their mana'o.

"As we approach the new millennium, what is the most important issue facing Hawaiians?"

Alisha Christiansen, 17 Waiākea High Elected kia 'āina 'ōpio. Sovereignty and getting our rights spoken about. Nobody is heard anymore in the Hawaiian nation. We're kind of just pushed off to the side. I want people to hear what I'm going to say about everything and what I believe will be good for the Hawaiian people. I'm going to fix it! When I'm older. I'm going to be president! I want people to listen and to know that Hawaiian children are smart. ■

Joshua TaIamoaElderts, 16 Waiākea High School I think the most important issues is Hawaiian homelands. They want to lower the blood quantum requirement, but there are thousands of people waiting on the list. I used to live in Pana'ewa homestead, but now I live in Waiakea Uka. I'd like to get involved with Hawaiian groups and stay involved with the legislature. We should take care of the 50 percenters first and then lower the percentage. I think the reason it's taking so long is because of the state.B

Napua Hanohano, 17 Waiākea High School I think its education and the promotion of Hawaiian eulture. We all need to learn more about Hawaiians. I want to get involved in Hawaiian programs and probably eontinue on in school. Hawaiian language is my favorite class now. ■

Aja Smith, 17 Ka'ū High School I think one of the biggest issues coming into the new century is sovereignty. We can't go backwards, but we need to reclaim our land rights, and have a bigger say in a Hawaiian govemment in the state. Right now, ceded lands and Hawaiian homelands are being leased for commercial

purposes. There are so many Hawaiians low ineome Hawaiian families that could use the land, farm it and provide for themselves and their children. They could grow food or flowers to support their families. I'd like to run for legislative office in the future. I believe in being an activist and speaking up, standing up to your beliefs. I want to try and start a youth group to be in affrliation with OHA to participate in demonstrations and land issues, especially when they try to limit our power as Hawaiians to utilize our resources. ■ V

V PHOTOS: MANU BOYD

Matthew Ives, 17 Lāna'i High I think it would be the land because Hawaiians are having a hard time getting ceded lands. They could use if for their crops, or whatever. I'd like to get involved in groups that support land issues. In 'Aha 'Ōpio, we learned how to write bills the way it is done in the actual legislature, so we are able to write bills for what we think is needed. Get involved in the political process. ■

Kananiola Kihoi, 17 Sacred Hearts Academy Homestead issues. One issue in particular is blood quantum. I'm 42 percent Hawaiian, and do not qualify, but me and my family live on homestead land in Waimanalo. I feel that I need to marry a Hawaiian so that my kids will have more than 50 percent. I think, though, that the blood quantum requirement should remain as it is because there are so many people waiting on the list now. It would cause more problems. ■

Kapuni Harvest, 17 Leilehua High School Sovereignty. I think our generation will see sovereignty, but not right now. Sometimes when people get ahead, people try to pull them down. Lots of infighting. We should try to get together more. Get involved and don't sit on the side. If you don't believe in it, then you need to find out more about it. ■

Keonaona KapuniReynolds, 17 Nā wahīokalani ' ōpu ' u I ko'u mana'o, ka mea nui, 'o ia ho'i ka hana ma ka politika. No ka mea, inā 'a'ole mākou e hana i kēlā, 'a'ole hiki ke ho'onui i ka 'ike o nā Hawai'i. Ko'u mana'o, e ho'ā'o paha wau e holo no kēia 'ano mea no ke Kenekoa a i 'ole ka Hale 'Ano hoihoi loa kēia hana. Hiki ke kōkua i ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i a kōkua i nā hana Hawai'i a ho'omau i kēia 'ano hana. Pono ka lāhui e kāko'o i kēia 'aha 'ōpio Hawai'i, no ka mea, he mea waiwai loa ia no kākou a pau.

Hiki ke 'ike 'ia ma kēia wahi nei, hiki ka hapanui ke alaka'i, a he Hawai'i kākou a pau. ■ (To me, the most important issue is in politics. Ifwedon't get involved, we'll not be able to increase the capacity ofour people. I think l'll try to run for office in the Senate or House. This kind ofwork is really interesting to me. I could help to support the Hawaiian language and other Hawaiian programs, and eontinue this sort ofthing. Our people should support this Hawaiian youth conference because it is ofgreat value to us all. You ean see right here that the majority ofus are eapahle ofbeing good leaders, and eaeh one ofus is Hawaiian). ■