Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 3, 1 March 2005 — Hawaiians need to stick together [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians need to stick together

i_ £ A no'ai kākou. As / \ Hawaiians and keiki o A. A.ka 'āina, we in Hawai'i have a responsibility for the perpetuation of our culture, our people and our future. Those on the mainland whose roots run deep in their homeland need also recognize the need to preserve for posterity our history, our life's stories, indeed our people. It is interesting how we still cannot seem to unite either as a people or a political force because of ingrained beliefs from a wide spectrum of sources depending on our life styles, jobs, interests, etc. A nalion united to become a force in Hawai'i and national politics for the betterment of Hawaiians is seemingly beyond our grasp because we cannot seem to agree on mueh; however, as regards to federal recognition, be advised that the vast majority of Hawaiians are in support and even some who favor complete independence, so long as they ean continue to try to persuade the

international community. And that's fine, but don't jeopardize the attempt to secure a nalion within a nation whieh will at least allow Hawaiians to gain a position of strength and recognition. Right now all we have that legitimately represents the people are the duly elected trustees of OHA, and we recognize that we are but a transition agency here to usher in the new government. A loss in the courts in the Amkaki case will be devastating to Hawaiians and will remove any possibility of a Hawaiian nation, period. Our people will be left to fend for themselves in the state system standing in line with all others in Hawai'i with no designated benefits for education, health, economics, housing, etc. We will have no say any more as a Hawaiian people and will have to continue to subject ourselves to both Hawaiians and others who will decide what's best for us as fellow citizens. Of course, some activists tend to

ignore the fact that they are American citizens too and due the benefits of freedom and liberty guaranteed by the constitution, a truly inspired document. Our opponents in court who argue equal protection say we should appreciate this fact and we certainly demonstrated this by sacrificing our young men in wars since the annexation, by hosting the invasion of myriads of immigrants into our homeland and by contributing our name, our talents and our energies to the building of our state. I deeply respect the ultimate sacrifice of Hawaiians like Lt. Nainoa Hoe and others who have honored their families and ancestors by their courage and determination to uphold their convictions and support their country. I also am proud to know newly appointed Maui Circuit judge, Richard Bissen, a pillar in the Maui community, a well-respected state administrator, and Hawaiian through and through. It is unfortunate that

during his confirmation in the Hawai'i Senate, the only one to vote no against him of 25 senators was another Hawaiian, former OHA trustee, Clayton Hee. That might not be surprising to some but considering the overwhelming support from legal, political, cultural, Hawaiian and community authorities as well as Mr. Bissen's demonstrated experience, competence, honesty, achievements and leadership, one cannot help but question the senator's motivation in this matter and his stubbom reliance upon his evidence, an "anonymous" complaint. When diligence mutates into a sordid political statement then someone needs to say something. Now that Mr. Bissen will become Judge Bissen, I congratulate him and urge him to exercise strength, compassion and fairness on the bench. To the senator I simply say that I am glad he has chosen to be a politician and wish him well, but I am glad to know that he will never become a judge. -i

Boyd P. Mossman Trustee, Maui