Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 8, 1 August 2006 — 'Nutgrass network' conspiracy? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Nutgrass network' conspiracy?

(The following is part one in a series that will highlight "nutgrass network" connections, like the Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i, the Heritage Foundation, Citiz,ens for Equal Rights Allianee and Aloha ForAll. There will be more to eome in subsequent months.) Aloha nui kākou e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino. Important decisions from diverse opinions are made when we find eonunon ground. The capacity to find eonunon ground for fairness and justice is a direct product of our values and priorities. Our values and priorities move us to act. Ironically, it is our actions that decisively reveal our values and priorities. But mueh more is revealed to those who discern helow the surface observations, "to hear what is not said, to see what ean not be seen" as Queen Lili'uokalani said. Reflecting on the lune 8, 2006, decision by the U.S . Senate to ehoke hold and stall the debate and vote on the Akaka Bill, I decided to track the facts about the values and priorities driving Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i (GRIH), Heritage Foundation, Citizens for Equal Rights Allianee and Aloha For All, as well as the values and priorities of other loeal and mainland-based groups in the GRIH network, how they interconnect and share like-values in a "nutgrass network" (a concept most understandable to those who till the soil). Do members of this nutgrass network intentionally disregard or mischaracterize the indigenous legal and poliīieal status of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians in the 50 states? Is the real and lasting negative consequences to Native Hawaiian families caused by the erosion of self-determination, loss of connection with the land, degradation of cultural and social institutions and forced removal of indigenous governance for commercial gain at the expense of Native Hawaiians a trivial matter? Do these select individuals believe no just

and fair reconciliation is necessary to heal the deep and profound effects of the methodically planned illegal overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani an indigenous sovereign leadership? Do the values and priorities motivating GRIH and their nutgrass network associates seek to strengthen or destroy the unique spirit of Hawai'i and the fabric of our island communities emanating from out Native Hawaiian host culture? The more profound question is, Will people of compassion, honor, fairness, justice, who celebrate diversity as a strength rather than fear it, allow Hawai'i deteriorate in spirit and culture? Future columns will address these questions. This nutgrass network conspiracy is reminiscent of earlier Hawaiian history. This nutgrass conspiracy has a historical counterpart in Lorrin Thurston's Hawaiian League of 1887, whieh was purported to support "decent and honest government in Hawai'i," grew in number to 400 members and under Sanford Dole's leadership forced King Kalākaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution in 1887. In 1892, the core leaders of that Hawaiian League, under Lorrin Thurston's leadership, heeame the Annexation Club, whieh called for the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani. This group was renamed the Committee of Safety (after the French Revolution model). This latter group prevailed on U.S. diplomat lohn Stevens to land 162 fully armed American marines on January 16, 1893, to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. To save the lives of her subjects, Queen Lili'uokalani surrendered, under protest, on Ianuary 17, 1893. The nutgrass conspiracy is comparable to the secretive groups in early Hawaiian history that operated by trying to install their version of America with the intent of concurrently destroying what was Hawaiian. All who are part of the unique multi-cultural Hawai'i of today, especially Native Hawaiians, should be wary of these attempts to amalgamate Hawai'i into a "melting pot stew" with no appreciation of Hawai'i's current rainbow of parallel colorful, distinctive strands of unique peoples fueled by fundamental disregard for the host culture. 21/48 ^

LEO 'ELELE • TRUSTEE M ESSAG ES

Haunani Apuliuna. MSW Chairpersūn TrustEE, At-large