Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 5, 1 May 2004 — Coalition forms to address governance process [ARTICLE]

Coalition forms to address governance process

By OHA staff Over the past several months, a coalition of organizations and individuals from throughout the Hawaiian community has begun taking shape to work toward the re-establish-ment of a governing entity to represent Native Hawaiians. The group includes nearly all major Hawaiian organizations, including the ali'i trusts, as well as those with political viewpoints ranging from federal recognition to independence. Nearly 60 participants initially gathered on Feb. 28 at the request of OHA to form an "advisory eouneil" that would help establish guidelines for the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for the re-emergent Hawaiian nation. However, at the council's initial meeting, the participants decided first to re-examine the purpose and ultimate membership of the group. As a result, it was decided that the group would organize itself not as an "advisory eouneil" initiated by OHA, but rather as an independent coalition of Native Hawaiians working toward the formation of a governing body. The group also decided to conduct outreach into the

community and begin some informal organizing by island and moku (district). The issue of membership and specific tasks and goals for the coalition were left for consideration onee further island meetings, or puwalu, were conducted. "We think that may be one of the fairest processes available to us right now," said coalition member Coochie Cayan during the discussion at meeting. "I think just the fact that we're all sitting in this room is a consensus in itself, no matter what hat you're wearing." On April 3, the group met again, this time with about 90 participants, to begin discussing the issues of vision, purpose, membership and how to maximize community involvement. The group broke into smaller workgroups to discuss these issues before bringing them back to the larger group. In the afternoon, they also held island caucuses to eontinue outreach efforts within their respective communities. These discussions are expected to continue at the group's next meeting, whieh is tentatively scheduled for May 14 & 15 at the Honolulu International Airport Conference Center. The coalition's meetings are open to all Hawaiians. For more information, please eall 594-1902. ■