Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 7, 1 July 2018 — JACOB KA'ŌMAKAOKALĀ AKI [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JACOB KA'ŌMAKAOKALĀ AKI

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Ke Au BHawai'i's vision No kākou e nā pua e ho'oulu ai (It is for us, the descendants, to rebuild) We celebrate the vibrancy of Native Hawaiian culture,

recognize pivotal events tliat altered the course of Hawai'i's history, and honor the advancements made by Native Hawaiiam that eontinue to enrich the lives of all people ofHawai'i. J I 1 ./ —

/i generation has passed since more than L- 1 40,000 Hawaiians gathered at Aloha A. A Stadium for Ho 'olokahi - Hawaiian Unity Day - the eulminaūon of the Year of the Hawaiian, Ho'olako, in 1988.

Today those who remember Ho'olako ean look back on three decades of accomplishments, while young Hawaiians ean consider how to build off these advancements over the next 30 years and beyond. On Aug. 4, thousands of Hawaiians ean join together for Ke Au Hawai'i, a Year of Hawaiian festival at Aloha Stadium. Ke Au Hawai'i recalls Ho'olokahi in 1988 -but in a different loeation, and in a different era. For a perspective on what the Year of the Hawaiian means in 2018, we asked Jacob Ka'ōmakaokalā Aki, a 23-year-old emerging leader who has advocated for Hawaiian issues at the state Legislature, at the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs annual convention and even at the United Nations. WHAĪ D0ES IT MEAN T0 Y0U T0 BE HAWAIIAN IN 2018? I believe that in this day and age, having the koko doesn't necessarily make you Hawaiian. To me, being a Hawaiian in 2018 means that ADVANCEMENTS Advancements over the past 30 years (since the last Year of the Hawaiian celebration in 1988): > Creation of Kula Kaiapuni immersion schools > Growth of Hawaiian focused charter schools to 15 > Creation of Kahaka'ula o Ke'elikōlani Hawaiian language immersion college > In 1994, return of the island of Kaho'olawe to the people of Hawai'i > Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage: raised global awareness mālama honua > Repatriation of Kalani'ōpu'u's mahiole and 'ahu'ula to Hawai'i > Creation of laws to protect iwi kūpuna and sacred burials > Resurgence of Native Hawaiian action to reaffirm our people's relationship with 'āina, kai and our environment; imbed our customs, traditions and values in govemment and decision making processes > Creation of Papa Ola Lōkahi, serving Native Hawaiians in heahh care and wellbeing, in 1988 through the Native Hawaiian Heahh Care Act | > Various Acts of Congress and Executive actions at the federal level recognizing the special legal and political relationship between the federal government and the Native Hawaiian people, based on their unique polhieal status as Hawai'i's Indigenous people ANNIVERSARIES These are accomplishments from the last generation. >125 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom > 100th anniversary of the first Hawaiian Civic Club by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole > 40th anniversary of the creation of the Hawaiian Language immersion programs; Hawaiian language was brought back from the brink of extinction; more than 20,000 people now speak the language > 25th anniversary of the issued formal apology by the President of the United States for America's role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893 > 40th anniversary of the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs by the 1978 Constitutional Convention, and vaiious advancements of Native Hawaiian rights through the amendment of the Hawai'i State Constitution > 40 years since the State recognized Native Hawaiian rights to a pro rata shaie of Puhlie Land Trust revenue; that portion of Hawaiian Kingdom lands currently held by the state as a puhlie tmst

you have an understanding of what your role and kuleana is in the efforts of advancing our people forward. Being Hawaiian is understanding your kuleana. WHY IS IT IMP0RTANTT0 HAVE THIS YEAR PR0CLAIMED YEAR 0F THE HAWAIIAN? I believe that the Year of the Hawaiian ean serve as a catalyst for unity amongst our people. 2018 is a significant year because it marks 125 years since the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom; 100 years since the founding of Hale O Nā Ali'i O Hawai'i and the establishment of the Hawaiian Civic Clubs; 40 years of 'Ōlelo Hawai'i as an offi-

eial state language; over 35 years since the beginning of the 'Ōlelo Hawai'i movement; and 30 years since the issuance of the Apology Resolution by President Clinton. Ke Au Hawai'i ean serve as a platform for us to celebrate our successes, but more importantly, it serves as a reminder for the hard work that we have ahead of us. I think every year should be the year of the Hawaiian, but 2018 ean serve as the starting point of where we want to steer our lāhui for the next thirty years.

WHAĪ ARE S0ME 0F TH M0ST SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES FR0M THE PAST 30 YEARS? Over the past 30 years, our lāhui has made significant advances in regard to the revitalization of our language, culture and identity as a people. Today, our keiki have the opportunity to engage with

'Ōlelo Hawai'i as a medium of education from pre-kindergar-ten to the 12th grade and into post-secondary and college; more parents are choosing 'Ōlelo Hawai'i and Hawaiian Cultural Based Education as the medium of education for their keiki. We have also experienced a resurgence in cultural practices that have inspired a new generation of Kanaka 'Ōiwi practitioners. This new generation of practitioners, many of whom are deeply rooted in language and culture, are beginning to innovatively and creatively integrate traditional practices with contemporary art and culture (i.e. Manaola, Kealopiko and etc.) More importantly, we have made significant advances in reclaiming our identity as a people. Embedded in that endeavor are major efforts to reclaim our history. Within the past 30 years, we have seen an increase in Kānaka 'Ōiwi scholars who are beginning

to tell our mo'olelo through our own lens. Non-Hawaiians have been telling our story for too long and we are making great strides to change the narratives. As a lāhui, we continue to suffer from many socio-economic disparities that have plagued our people for generation, thus, contributing to the historical trauma that we continue to experience today. However, as we are changing the narrative and beginning to uncover more of our own, we are beginning to learn more about

turselves. As Dr. Lilikala Kame'elehiwa explains,

" (we are) seeking historical answers for present-day dilemmas. As more Kānaka 'Ōiwi

are beginning to engage in our language and culture, we are seeing an increase in Kānaka 'Ōiwi pride.

H0W D0ES Y0UR GENERATI0N BENEFIT FR0M THE W0RK AND ADV0CACY 0F TH0SE WH0 WERE INV0LVED IN THE 1988 YEAR 0F THE HAWAIIAN? As kānaka, we stand on the shoulders of those who have eome before us. It is through tlieir hard work and sacrifice that we are able to continue to make the significant advances needed to move our people forward. Those who were involved in the 1988 Year of the Hawaiian and other prior efforts to revitalize our language and culture have laid the foundation on whieh we build on. If it were not for their vision, foresight and urgency, we would not have institutions like Pāinana Leo, Nā Kula Kaiapuni, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and others who continually advocate for our lāhui; we would not have the thriving culture that our keiki are able to experience today; and we would probably not be standing here celebrating the successes that we have experienced over the last 30 years. We owe a great deal to those that have eome before us. WHAT D0 Y0U H0PE WILL BE ACC0MPLISHED IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS? Personally, my biggest hope for the next 30 years would be to witness the re-estab-lishment of a Native Hawaiian government; I would like to see the raising of our Hawaiian Nation. However, I believe that our lāhui needs to eonīinue to make bigger strides before we are ready to govern ourselves. First, I would like to see more Kānaka 'Ōiwi engaged and rooted in our language and culture. I believe that the best way to rehabilitate our people is to provide them with opportunities to engage in cultural practices and activities. In order to raise a nation, we are going to need a strong population; and I am a firm believer that cultural engagement is one of the solutions to solve the socio-economic disparities that we continue to face. Secondly, I would like to see more unity among our people. I would like to see our people attain the political discipline needed to sit down, hash out our differences, agree to disagree and do what we need to do to create a more vibrant lāliui for future generations. Lastly, I would like to see more Kānaka 'Ōiwi in decision making roles. If we are to raise a nation, we need to begin grooming the next generation of leaders who are well-versed in both western and Hawaiian leadership styles. We need more Kānaka 'Ōiwi at the table where major decisions are being made and who ean be a voice for our lāhui. ■ ABOUT JACOB Jacob Bryan Ka'ōmakaokala Aki currently serves as the Chief of Staff/ Ii — - Office Manager to Hawai'i State Senate Majority Leader, Senator J. Kalani English. He is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and received a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Jacob is an active member of the King Kamehameha Hawaiian Civic Club and Pā Ku'i A Lua. In addition, he is currently the IkūHa'i (President) of Hale O Nā Ali'i O Hawai'i, 'Ahahui Po'o Helu 'Ekahi, Hālau O Wahīika'ahu'ula. His passion includes: Hawaiian language, Hawaiian culture, politics and being of service to the Hawaiian community. ■

Year of the Hawaiian - Ke Au Hawai'i Festival Aug. 4, 5 to 10 p.m. Aloha Stadium Lower Lot

Celebrate the Year of the Hawaiian 2018 with mele, mākeke, mea 'ai and mana'o. Entertainment inoludes 'Ekolu, Fiji, Sudden Rush, Hālau Hula Pua Ali'i 'llima and 'Aha Pūnana Leo. Tickets are $15, keiki 10 and under are free. Ticket and event info at www.keauhawaii.com. Mahalo to Ke Au Hawai'i organizers Kamehameha Schools, Kaiwi Entertainment, Hawai'i's Finest, the 0ffice of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Tourism Authority and Oouneil for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

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