Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 11, 1 November 2001 — Blood quantum issue continues to divide [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Blood quantum issue continues to divide

Linda Dela Cruz

Trustee, Hawai'i

For as long as I ean remember, I have been telling everyone I talk to that the Hawaiian Homes Commission act and Section 5(f) of the Hawai'i State Admission Act is not a trust, not a grant; but a "for real" rehabilitation program for native Hawaiians. I have also said, the Hawaiian people have been a divided race of people for the last 80 years. Now, what does this mean? How does one define the word "rehabilitation?" The Webster's College Dictionary 2001 series reads, 1) To restore or bring to a condition of good health, ability to work or productive activity. 2) To restore to good condition, opera-

tion, or management. 3) To re-estab-lish the good reputation of. 4) To restore formally to former capacity, standing, rank, rights or privileges. 5) To undergo rehabilitation. There are source documents that go back to the Territory of Hawai'i days when that terminology was meant specifically for the Rehabilitation of native Hawaiians that have the 50 percent blood quantum. That makes sense since everybody either had 50 percent blood quantum, or they did not. Prince Kūhiō was correct when he said, "Hawaiians are a dying race." We must never change the 50 percent blood quantum in the Hawaiian

Homes Commission Act. Instead we must elaim our ancestral rights through the 50 percent ancestors. That means, all of the Hawaiian people today are "descendants." As a divided race of people, we have spent the last 80 years fighting among ourselves. This fighting must stop now and I have a plan; but I need your help. While we were fighting with eaeh other, others helped themselves to our land; and now our money. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be registering all Hawaiians who had an ancestor with 50 percent blood quantum, that lived before 1921 when Congress

passed the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. We will issue ^n identification card (like the driver's license or the senior citizen's card). This card will have multi-identifica-tion purposes (whieh will be explained in the forthcoming saga). We need to change the adage: We are the richest people in this state; yet we are the poorest. We cannot expect others to recognize Hawaiians until we recognize ourselves. The Akaka Bill is pending in the Congress, and it is my opinion, that this is the beginning of a new entity. No matter what, something is better than nothing. Aloha nō, a hui hou. ■