Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 12, 1 December 2016 — Wrapping-up 2016 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Wrapping-up 2016

rongratulations to all of the candidates who were elected to office in 2016. eamnaiuninu

\ is a grueling process but J the real work is about to begin. I look forward to working with all of you in the 2017 Legislative Session to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. The Constitution of the Native Hawaiian Nation On February 26, 2016, the majority of the Na'i Aupuni 'aha participants voted to adopt Tlie Constitution of the Native Hawaiian Nation. As one of 154 individuals that participated in the

'aha, it is very difficult to put into words what an awesome experience this was for me. Not only was this an important historieal turning point in our history, but it was moving to see people who were often on opposite sides of an issue eome together for the good of the whole and finally draft the governing documents needed to restore our nation. Forced Land Sales Bills During the 2016 legislative session, Kamehameha Schools led the charge against legislation that would have forced Hawai'i's landowners to sell leasehold lands to theirlessees. If HB 1635 orHB 2173 had heeome law, private land developers could have moved in to condemn and redevelop historical lands that were passed down from generation to generation of Hawaiians. Thankfully, on February 8th, KS announced that the House cancelled the hearing for HB 1635 and HB 2173, whieh effectively killed the bills. However, 2017 brings a new legislative session with new legislators who are unfamiliar with the issue. Let us all be maka'ala (watchful). Wishing our dear Princess a very happy 90th birthday It was with great admiration and respect that I dedicated this eolumn to honoring Her Royal Highness Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa who celebrated

her 90th birthday on April 26th. Age has not slowed her efforts to help the Hawaiian neonle and to nreserve and nrotect

in perpetuity the legacy passed down to the present generation. "One Voice, One Message" On August 24th, the BAE Committee and OHA's CEO proposed a new policy called "One Voice, One Message," whieh required that all external eommunieations be submitted to the CEO for review and approval prior to execution or engagement. If this policy were to be approved, Trustees will no longer be able to publically voice their

opposition to any board decision without facing severe sanctions for speaking out against the majority. Thankfully, the proposal was deferred due to concerns about it being unconstitutional. I will continue to strongly oppose this undemocratic policy if it retums to the board table. The U.8. Department of the lnterior announces a pathway to nationhood On September 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a "hnal rule to create a pathway for reestablishing a formal govemment-to-govemment relationship with the Native Hawaiian eommunity." It is now time for all of us to work together for the cause of recognition. While the board has NOT voted to accept the rules as written, let us begin to agree on the things that we ean agree to and set aside the things we differ on and move forward together for the future generations of Hawaiians yet to eome. Merry Christmas May eaeh of you have a joyful and merry Christmas surrounded by family and friends. Stay safe out there. Aloha Ke Akua. ■ lnterested in Hawaiian issues and OHA? Pīease visit my website at www.wwena akana.org for more infonnation or email me at rowenaa@oha.org.

Rnwena Akana Trustee, At-large