Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 9, 1 September 2011 — The width of a blade of pili grass ... SB 1520 becomes Act 195 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The width of a blade of pili grass ... SB 1520 becomes Act 195

Eoē nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino. Sept. 2, 201 1, marked the 173rd birthday of Lydia Lili'u Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamaka'eha-a-Kapa'akea, Queen

Lih uokaiam, eighth ruier ot the Hawaiian Kingdom. We honor and remember this Native Hawaiian leader who faced stressful leadership challenges during tumultuous times in Hawai'i yet steered a deliberate course through the storm, a course that, today, we as leaders of Hawai'i are equally ehallenged to define.

On July 6, 1887, 124 years ago, King David Kalākaua, seventh ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom, affixed his signature to the Bayonet Constitution. On July 6, 201 1, Gov. Neil Abercrombie affixed his signature to SB 1520, SD 2, HD 3, CD1 as Act 195. The findings of Section 1 note previous state support for the Sovereignty Advisory Council, the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission, the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council, the Native Hawaiian vote, and the convening of the 'Aha Hawai'i 'Ōiwi (the Native Hawaiian Convention) along with passage of various legislative resolutions supporting Native Hawaiians as the indigenous people of Hawai'i with the right to self-government. Section 2 amends the HRS by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "Chapter NATIVE HAWAIIAN RECOGNITION -1 Statement of recognition: The Native Hawaiian people are hereby recognized as the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli people of Hawaii. -2 Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to provide for and to implement the recognition of the Native Hawaiian people ..." Section 3 of the Act establishes a five-member Native Hawaiian roll commission, appointed by the Governor, assigned two basic tasks relating to establishing a Native Hawaiian enrollment. "One member shall reside in the county of Hawaii; one member shall reside in the city and county of Honolulu; one member shall reside in the county of Kauai; one member shall reside in the

county of Maui; and one member shall serve at-large," remaining silent on the issue of residency. Since 2004, OHA has done

outreach to JNative Hawauans both in Hawai'i and on the continent encouraging them to stay alert, be informed and prepare to participate in the organizing of the Native Hawaiian governing entity. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs' Mainland Council has grown by seven clubs since 2004: Ke Ali'i Maka'āinana HCC (chartered

2004), Ke Ali'i Victoria Ka'iulani HCC (chartered 2005), Moku'āina a Wakinekona HCC (2006), Hui Hawai'i o Tenesi HCC (chartered 2008), Kai 'Ula Pono'I Texas HCC (chartered 2009), Kahā I Ka Panoa Kaleponi HCC and Nā Kānaka No Hawai'i HCC in AZ (chartered 2010) for a total of 15 that also include 'Ahahui 'o Lili'uokalani HCC (chartered 1975) 'Āinahau o Kaleponi HCC (chartered 1982), Hui Hawai'i o Utah HCC in Salt Lake City, Utah (chartered 1983), Las Vegas HCC (chartered 1989), Nā Keiki o Hawai'i HCC Alaska (chartered 1990), Kauwahi Anaina Hawai'i HCC Utah (chartered 1992), 'Ahahui Kīwila o Hawai'i o San Diego (chartered 1993), Pi'ilani HCC of Colorado (chartered 1998). Po'e o Colorado HCC (organized 1987). Po'e o Colorado HCC later disbanded and was not chartered by the Association. Over seven years, Native Hawaiians on the continent, inspired by OHA's outreach in partnership with the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, organized on the continent to express the voice of Native Hawaiians who live away from the homeland. Unfortunately, Hawai'i Revised Statute requires Hawai'i residency as well for the atlarge commission seat. It is my greatest hope that Governor Abercrombie will receive wise counsel to seek out and find that certain Native Hawaiian who meets Hawai'i residency AND is equally embraced by Native Hawaiians on the continent as their legitimate, credible and trustworthy voice. 33/48 ■

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