Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 6, 1 June 2000 — Sovereignty issue [ARTICLE]

Sovereignty issue

Hā Hawai'i has not begun its work going to the communities to do its process on the sovereignty issue. It may have elected representatives (7,000 elected them) but this does not give it a true representation of the Hawaiian people who number 200,000 statewide. If Hā Hawai'i truly represents the community, it should have been funded by the Legislature and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Instead, it was denied funding. Now we have a federal Task Force appointed by Senator Akaka. this is where all 200,000 Hawaiians should focus and concentrate on working together in "lōkahi." The sovereignty issue is a federal issue not a state issue. Clara Kakalia Kailua The following was sent to Senator Akaka. The issues at hand eoneem all of us as a nation: "I understand you have called certain Hawaiian individuals and organization heads to kūkākūkā with you on classifying our Hawaiian people. This could affect our God-given rights. Have you overlooked the independents? We have mueh to say about the hves, futru:e and self-deter-mination of our 'ohana. We have a lot to share about why we are not to be classified as American Indians or any other race for that matter. I am now aware of the truths eonceming the illegal overthrow of our Hawaiian Kingdom. I believe God brought about Public Law 103-150 whieh you helped pass. By returning that whieh is stolen, as it is stated, the federal govemment ean bow out of this embarrassment with grace and get back the respect of all other nations who are watching. Give back all of it, not part. The tmth is we have always been a nation with rights given to us by God. We have all been taught to tell the truth. So I ask you, my dear Mr. Akaka, wouldn't you rather live for and in truth? I pray you eome to understand that God has called us to hve and die in tmth. Would you like to join us?" KeAloha Aiu Makiki

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