Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 November 1999 — Health initiative and reconciliation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Health initiative and reconciliation

ALOHA MAI e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i. My 36th article in a series of 46, highlights the board's action of Sept. 28 on the Native Hawaiian Heahh (Kūpuna) Initiative, and the federal government's December reconciliation consultations. Native Hawaiian Health Initiative The specific 14-page action sheet submitted to the trustees had not been reviewed by the Native Hawaiian Health Task Force appointed by OHA's chair for their health expertise. The motion to approve $1,068,500 for one year of funding, was withdrawn by the moving trustee, following our questioning of Task Force members and OHA staff. Concerns we raised included: • the laek of any feasibihty study for this specific initiative in light of the withdrawal of two previous task force and staff recommendations after feasibility was studied; • the imprecise forecast of

funding required over time; • the absence of any defined methodology to sustain a longterm commitment; • the laek of verification that the 18 "referral hub" organizations had agreed perform outreach and administrative tasks associated with implementation; • the laek of confirmation these organizations would sign agreements of intent to implement such an initiative; • the laek of substantiation of a federal/state contribution equal to $792,358. Onee the original motion was withdrawn, a trustee moved to fund a feasibility study. The motion failed for laek of sufficient detail. However, the OHA staff and the Task Force ean review concerns and regroup to refine a proposal for future eonsideration. Reconciliation Consultations Public Law 103-150, the "Apology Law" states, "The Congress on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the illegal

overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i on Jan. 17, 1893, acknowledges the historical significance of this event whieh resulted in the suppression of the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people." It also

recognizes and commends efforts at reconciliation initiated by the State of Hawai'i and the United Church of Christ. It apologizes to Native Hawaiians on behaff of the people of the United States for the overthrow in Whieh agents and citizens of the United States participated,

and for undermining Native Hawaiians' right to self-determi-nation. It acknowledges the ramifications of the overthrow as a proper foundation for reconciliation between the U.S. and Hawaiians. Finally, it urges the President of the United States to acknowledge these ramifications and to support such reconciliation efforts. In January 1893, Queen Lili'uokalani said, "Now, to avoid any collision or armed forces, and perhaps the loss of life, I do, under this protest and impelled by the said forces yield my authority until such time as the government of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo the action of its representative, and reinstate me in the authority whieh I elaim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands." Her protest fell on deaf ears; no restoration happened. In Junel897, President McKinley signed a treaty of annexation with representatives of the Republic of Hawai'i. McKinley then submitted the treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification. In December, a petition with more than 38,000 signatures protesting annexation was to be delivered to President McKinley and the

Congress by four Native Hawaiians representing Hui Kālai'āina and Hui Aloha 'Āina. This, along with Queen Lili'uokalani and her representatives, delayed but did not prevent passage of the July 6, 1898 Joint Resolution of Congress, the Newlands Resoluhon, making Hawai'i a territory of the United States. Again, the protest against annexation fell on deaf ears; no restoration occurred. Now, 106 Years later, representatives of the U. S. Departments of Justice and the Interior, in cooperation with Hawai'i's Congressional delegation, are coming here in December to consult with Native Hawaiians. They want to know how Native Hawaiians define reconciliation and self-determination. Perhaps, 106 years after the fact, our words will give life to the voices of Queen Lili'uokalani, of our ancestors who signed the petitions and of the Native Hawaiians who led the way to this moment. It is my hope that Native Hawaiians across Hawai'i nei will make this opportunity count. Watch for consultation dates or eall OHA's Public Information Office. ■

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