Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 10, 1 October 2010 — ROWENA AKANA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ROWENA AKANA

1. The biggest issue Native Hawaiians currently face is the encroachment on our Native lands and resources by the State and Federal governments. A good example is the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, whieh are a part of the ceded land trust. First, President

George W. Bush makes it a national monument, whieh sounds good except when you read what the fine print of the management documents actually says. Hawaiians cannot practice their spiritual and cultural traditions unless they have permission from three government agencies. Even the few allowed in to practice subsistence fishing cannot bring their catch home to feed their families. While Natives are harshly restricted, the U.S. Military has full access to the area. I believe the Trustees must make the State and Federal governments accountable for any devastation done to our lands and resources by making them pay reparations. Secondly, OHA must have a central role in the management of the ceded lands located within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This resource is too precious to our beneficiaries for OHA to allow others to manage it as they please. OHA Trustees must be leaders, not followers! 2. OHA's role with respect to the formation of the Native Hawaiian Nation should be strictly financial. OHA was created in thel978 Constitutional Convention with the intent that it be a temporary organization, until the nation was formed. All of OHA's assets are to be turned over to the nation onee it has been established. The elected leadership of the first Constitutional Convention should lead the new nation in developing a Constitution, in consultation with its members. OHA should play no role at all in the fonnation of the new nation. 3. These issues have been around since 1978. The reason the past due revenues have not been settled is really quite simple. It has been all about Trustees' personalities getting in the way of sincere negotiations. SEE AKANA ON PAGE 6

TRUSTEE AT-LARCE — OFFICE OF HAWAIIAM AFFAIRS

1) What single issue facing Native Hawaiians concerns you the most anel how woulel you address that issue as an OHA trustee?

2) Should the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act be enacted into law, what role do you believe OHA should play in the formation of the Native Hawaiian governing entity?

3) How would you like to see OHA and the state resolve the ceded lands revenue issue, both in terms of past due revenue and the annual revenue due to OHA?

PAI KA LEO I LIFT YOUR VOICE

AKANA Continued from page 4

In 1990 and 1991, OHAhadagreatopportunity to settle the past due revenues with over $250 million in cash and ahnost half that amount in land. However, five (5) Trustees voted against the offer by the state. Two of those Trustees, Haunani Apoliona and Colette Machado, are still on the Board. OHA has never been able to resolve the past due amount since then. As for future revenues, it will take great effort on both sides to rebuild trust and restart earnest negotiation. There has to be the politieal will to do it and all parties need to eheek their egos at the door. The other thing that needs to happen is that OHA cannot leave the Hawaiian community out of the loop. This only breeds mistrust. Unless all parties are on board, nothing will work. All members of the Board must be included in all stages regarding any settlement. Onee a tentative agreement is struck, the community must be informed to give them an opportunity to participate or not participate, if they so choose.

PAI KA LEO I LIFT YOUR VOICE