Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 3, 1 March 2007 — Two separate tracks to protect Hawaiian programs [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Two separate tracks to protect Hawaiian programs

Aloha kākou. Just how do federal recognition and Kau Inoa relate, and what is OHA's role in supporting these initiatives? Some of you have an idea, but it seems that a few of you are in the dark about OHA's involvement. Since 2000, OHA has been working to secure for our people a legal existence via federal recognition. That said, I recognize that there are groups and individuals who do not support this position or even being American citizens. To them, I respond that their positions need not change nor be significantly affected with or without federal recognition. To others, this is racial discrimination, and I simply refer them to the American Indians and Alaskans. For the rest of us, federal recognition is an option that ean lead to protection against legal ehallenges to our identity as a sovereign people and the attendant benefits and privileges provided us by the state and federal governments. The Hawaiian Recognition Bill (Akaka Bill) sets up a process by whieh Hawaiians ean establish a governing entity to return to us some degree of self-determination that will help us address our many problems and concerns, as well as re-establish our voice in our own land. With or without this bill, the creation of a governing entity elected by the Hawaiian people to speak for and on behalf of them ean and is being contemplated. This governing body would first require the support of the people whom it represents, the Hawaiian people. Upon its organization it would need to work with the State of Hawai'i to insure its legal existence and recognition in Hawai'i. Kau Inoa is the means for creating the voter base that would first elect the

delegates to a convention to formulate the structure and citizenship of a new government and next elect its leaders. This effort is being spearheaded by OHA in order to assist Hawai'i Maoli in registering Hawaiians who will make up a base of hopefully 200,000 voters from Hawai'i and the mainland. Onee this is achieved, the beginnings of a new government will be in plaee. On a completely separate track, OHA will continue its efforts in Congress in order to establish federal approval for the establishment of a governing entity elected by the Hawaiian people for the Hawaiian people. If that objective is attained, the governing entity created via the Kau Inoa voter base could be recognized and the two tracks united into one Hawaiian governing entity with the legal armor to protect Hawaiian rights, entitlements and benefits to include Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiian Homes and other Hawaiian entities. Thus it is important that all Hawaiians register to vote, and that process is Kau Inoa. It is not difficult, and your genealogy ean be confirmed even if you don't have a birth certificate handy. It is also important that all Hawaiians understand the importance of Hawaiian recognition and how it will help preserve for our posterity the culture, traditions and language of their ancestors. The more mundane objectives of life today such as housing, education, health, employment and preservation of our homeland will not be shot down by the courts with the shield of federal recognition in plaee. Let's not allow our pride in the past to wreck our hopes for the future. OHA will continue to work for all Hawaiians but where the twain may not meet we will stick to the road that best serves the people whom we serve. For information on registering to vote, contact Hawai'i Maoli: 394-0050 or www.hawaiimaoli.org/kauinoa.

LEO 'ELELE ■ TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Bnyd P. Mūssman TrustEE, Maui