Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 November 1999 — Why unite? [ARTICLE]

Why unite?

Why do Hawaiians continue to perpetuate the big he, ka wahahe'e nui? We hemoan the fact we can't get together. Everyone is telling us, to unite. All you Hawaiians do it fight, fight, fight." But shouldn't we be proud of our independent thinking? There is power in diverse ideas that lead to discussions, debate and thoughtful solutions. Can anyone show us an issue on whieh all haoles agree? All Filipinos? All Japanese? We Hawaiians did unite to uphold our gathering rights and to smash the Autonomy Bill and its "global ceded lands settlement." Together we are cautiously rebuilding our nation. As a result of the mistreatment of our kūpuna, volunteers have formed the OHA Beneficiaries Task Force to improve beneficiary access to OHA and to ensure OHA follows its own mles as well as the Hawai'i Revised Statutes. Rice vs. Cayetano is simply solved by having OHA pay for its own elections. Currently the OHA voter list is tainted with inehgibles. We must not let anyone criticize our diversity. It is safer not to be little wind-up toys following a leader in utter, mindless adoration. There are too many of us for the boys to bribe. Lela Hubbard 'Aiea