Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — E pluribus unum [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

E pluribus unum

Aloha kākou, The opportunity for Hawaiians to have a say in their own destinies is NOW since the Akaka Bill is back on track. Senator Akaka and the Ohama Administration agreed to changes that put us back closer to where we were prior to November of last year. Since that time, Congress has not been friendly toward the bill; however, now we stand a fighting ehanee of getting it passed. If we don't, the poliīieal horizon is hleak as pertains to

the bill passing anytime in the foreseeable future. Now is the time and time is of the essence. Hopefully by the time you read this, the bill will have gone to the Senate floor. If not, we still have a tiny window of time to seek passage before the end of the year. This time around, however, we will need to go back to the House and that is not a slam dunk. Suffice it to say, our Congressional Delegation has the ball and hopefully will carry it over the goal line . . . in time. The phrase "E pluribus unum" is found

on the seal of the United States and on every dollar bill. It means, "Out of

many, one." The phrase has been used by detractors of the Akaka Bill who claimthat the bill is divisive, racist and illegal. They are of the persuasion that we eome from many diverse racial backgrounds and, in America, should heeome one in a rainbow of unity. There's nothing wrong with that; but to ignore the benefits of diversity and its contribution to the strength of our nation by demanding we be all of one mold, is to accept mediocrity in the name of equality, and uniformity in the name of

a color-blind society. These detractors will be flaunting the words "e pluribus unum" in the halls of Congress loudly this month seeking to kill the Akaka Bill as contrary to this motto. As applied to the Hawaiian people, this argument is without merit since the vast majority of us do support the United States and are united with all other Americans in doing so; thus, we are one. However, as an indigenous people, we are also a First SEE M0SSMAN ON PAGE 31

Būyd P. Mūssman TrustEE, Maui

M0SSMAN Continued from page 29

Nation with distinct differences and unique attributes eommon to no others. We have an obligation to perpetuate our culture and traditions, our 'ōlelo and our mo'olelo. In doing so and in governing ourselves within the one nation to whieh we all belong as citizens, we are able to be one, yet still retain our unique identities as Hawaiians. When applying the phrase "e pluribus unum" to our State, we ean also say that as Hawaiians we

are one with the residents of our State in seeking to make Hawai'i the best state of the 50. We are a diverse population but are united and one in seeking to make this a better plaee to live. I have taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Hawai'i. Many others have done likewise. Many others pledge to do so. As residents of Hawai'i, we have an obligation to the people who are our neighbors and friends and this keeps us within the parameters of being one people without losing our identity. Federal recognition will secure for us the privilege

of being one yet distinct via the indigenous connection we have to our ancestors and the 'āina. As applied to our Hawaiian people, "e pluribus unum" needs some work. We are divided in our loyalties to our nation and State. We are divided in our understanding and support of federal recognition. We are divided as to the authenticity of government rule and class structure. We are many and have yet to heeome one. A governing entity in whatever form will offer Hawaiians the best ehanee to heeome one amongst ourselves while remaining one with our nation and our State. ■