Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 3, 1 March 2011 — Taking a stand [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Taking a stand

Aloha Kākou, Our Board continues to work for the passage of legislation whieh will

secure continued funding for OHA from the State as well as resolution of our acknowledged elaim of past-due revenues from ceded lands never paid to OHA by the State. We are hopeful that the current Legislature will favorably pass this legislation and I suggest that it sure wouldn't hurt for you to advise your legislators to kōkua for our people and

settle this 30-year-iong dispute. But for a recently passed law that prohibits us from collecting interest, our elaim would be close to $1 hillion; however, the Legislature ean now sit as long as it likes without any interest accruing on our long overdue debt payment. I would say, however, that fromthe words of our Senate President, Shan Tsutsui, that he will do his best to accommodate us and I respect that. Hopefully the rest of the Senate and House will too. In addition, we look toward federal recognition via a variety of avenues. The Legislature of today seems somewhat removed fromthe Legislatures of my youth but I appreciate their willingness to run for office and face the heat. As I view the news I wonder where the part of our foundation based on moral principles has gone. I wonder why it has been allowed to dissipate thereby beginning what seems to be a disintegration of our values and thus the freedoms and rights upon whieh this country was founded. In Hawai'i, where outsiders brought us aleohol, sexual disease, worship of money as well as a new religion, one might observe that the laws being passed today are turning former vices into acceptable activities thus placing the progress of the indigenous population again at risk of reversal with the argument that it's not a big thing, it's fair, it won't

hurt anyone, we need to address the economy, etc. As observed by Alexander Pope in 1732 about vice, we first endure, then pity, then embrace. And

then, as with liquor, our people suffer the serious consequences and losses associated with this as well as with illieiī drugs, sex, gambling, crime, etc. as they take complete control. I appreciate those Japanese in Hawai'i who though being designated as "enemy aliens" persevered and eventually demonstrated their loy-

alty to the Umted 8tates and who volunteered to fight in such large numbers that not all could be accommodated. These humhle but determined men brought honor to their families, pride to their country and respect to the world in whieh they were thrust and proved themselves beyond all expectations. Some of these veterans returned and heeame involved in politics and their values and appreciation of family and honor amongst their peers set a solid example for others. Senator Daniel Inouye is the best representative of this group. Others merely heeame a part of the community and contributed their talents and their dedication to freedom. One of these was Lanky Matsumoto, who recently passed and whose legacy in the Boy Scout community on Maui will forever be observed. Another was the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, Barney Hajiro, a Maui native, who also recently passed at the age of 94. Whether Japanese modern-day warriors or Hawaiian, such as Herbert Pililā'au, these men sacrificed for their country and ean neither be forgotten nor ignored. They fought that we might live. But do we honor them by allowing our societal foundation to erode away? Do our elected officials honor their legacy? I wonder; regardless, we ean ourselves by Standing for Something. ■

Būyd P. Mūssman Vice Chair, Trustee, Maui