Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 5, 1 May 2005 — We support recognition as a reasonable, viable option for Hawaiians [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

We support recognition as a reasonable, viable option for Hawaiians

Aloha nō kākou. The past few weeks have seen several newspaper articles about the Akaka Bill and its contents. Every Hawaiian should now have a fairly good idea of what it is all about, but is that true? Do you know what its purpose is and why we need it? Do you understand that despite the objection of Twigg-Smith and Arakaki types and the objection of independence minded Hawaiians, there really is only one reasonable, rational, and logical solution that will provide the means for Hawaiian cultural and legal self-preservation? Do you understand that in order for Hawaiians to survive, federal recognition as provided by the Akaka Bill and success in the Amkaki case whieh seeks to end alleged discrimination by Hawaiians are necessary? Without the Akaka Bill we will lose Amkaki, and thus the Amkaki plaintiffs are making every effort to derail the bill as well as hoping that providence will be on their side; and in D.C. anything ean happen.

The fact that two so diverse views are collaborating in an effort to defeat Akaka should alert the rest of us that something is seriously wrong with the justiciability of their positions. But alas, because of ignorance and indifference too many of us are without a elue and thus undecided. These are the sins that most seriously affect mankind and so it behooves us to take the time to educate ourselves on the issues and take the most reasonable course in seeking to preserve our existence for our posterity. The wrong ehoiee will lead to the removal of "native Hawaiian'" from the laws of our nation and state and will terminate any recognition, benefits, or entitlements now being received by Hawaiians whieh will also affect non-Hawaiians and our state. And so be advised that OHA will eonhnue to support passage of the Akaka Bill. Our board has eome a long way, baby, and unlike its political past I believe that today's

board is more trustee-oriented and better understands its fiduciary duty to its beneficiaries. We will continue to seek what we as trustees believe is best for all Hawaiians and where there is a unresolvable conflict, then what we believe is best for the most Hawaiians. OHA will cease to exist with or without passage of the Akaka Bill as either a new government takes over with Akaka or the State of Hawaii takes over without Akaka. I for one believe politics has no plaee in a trust relationship with beneficiaries as the disfunctionalitis of the past has so aptly demonstrated; nevertheless, we have reached a time in history that we need to acknowledge the labors of our predecessors, reap their fruit , add our efforts to serve our people, and bring Hawaiians together as best we ean. We support Akaka. We fund Kau Inoa and wonder why more Hawaiians have not registered to vote. What is there to lose? You are either Hawaiian or not and if you

are why should you not have the right to vote and have a say in the future of our people and the birth of a nation? Even if you register, you need not vote. And if the list were ever used to provide names should Akaka pass, you ean remove your name. So every Hawaiian needs to register to vote under the Kau Inoa voting effort. Call me at 5941898 for forms. We left hundreds in San Antonio on a recent visit. Call the Hawaiian Civic Club whieh is running the registration. Go to their website www.aohcc.org. or www.oha.org. Register to vote for your representatives to an 'aha or constitutional convention who will in turn craft and create for our people a government whieh ean lead them into the future and keep Hawai'i Hawaiian. May God bless us all in this endeavor.

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Boyd P. Mossman | Trustee, Maui