Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 November 1999 — Rice vs. Cayetano [ARTICLE]

Rice vs. Cayetano

The United States Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs held hearings in Hawai'i in February 1978 to consider including Hawaiians in the Indian education assistance programs. During testimony, Senator James Abourezk (S.D.), the committee chair, and others said, "Be careful not to bring yourself under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in any way, shape or form." The BIA has done a magnificent job of destroying what was left of the American Indians and will do the same to Hawaiian natives. Herb Kāne said Hawaiians claimed the retum of all crown lands to a tmsteeship by and for the Hawaiian nation and he argued for a department of Hawaiian affairs. Abourezk said he made a lot of sense. How does Harold Rice have the right to vote for trustees of the remnants of the assets of the Kingdom of Hawai'i? Race did not have a role in the ConCon or the general election. The descendants of those who perpetuated the overthrow eontinue the desecration of the Native Hawaiian. Rice states he loves Hawaiians and has Hawaiian grandchildren. He ignores the fact their inheritance eame through profits

from the overthrow. We must destroy another hostile attempt to reduce the Native Hawaiian to a worthless human being. Leon K. Sterling Jr. Kailua-Kona My compliments to you for attempting to retrieve the back pay the state owes the people of Hawaiian ancestry. As a result, the state and its constituents have retumed fire with this Rice vs. Cayetano whieh is a win-win situation for the dominant party of Hawai'i. I understand as of the moment the foundation of OHA is threatened. I know that your efforts to preserve our institution are at their best. Good luek to you all and stick together. Joshua C.K. Hauanio alii. h @attglobal. net I am really concerned with the issue of Mr. Rice wanting to vote for OHA tmstees. I fear that if the Supreme Court does favor him, this will open up bigger doors for people other than those of Hawaiian descent. They may even mn for OHA office. What would be the point of having an Office of Hawaiian Affairs if people not of Hawaiian descent run our Hawaiian affairs? I am writing to you folks so that I ean get the tmstees' opinion if they feel this will happen. I don't hate haoles or any other race. I am writing in the interest of the Hawaiian people. MHehell K. Gaspar mkgaspa @ aol.com