New generation of Hawaiians explores sovereignty options

The Honolulu Advertiser reports that "More than 250 people attended an all-day event yesterday aimed at exposing a new generation of Native Hawaiians to the possibilities of self-governance."

The Maui News also covers the event.

The Maui News
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Event seeks to increase awareness of native issues

By MELISSA TANJI, Staff Writer

WAILUKU - Sixteen-year-old Stephen Henderson knows that he and other young people will be the future of Native Hawaiians.

"In about 20 years, they are not going to be around," Henderson said as he watched a debate of Hawaiian community leaders and an Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator on Monday at Maehara Baseball Stadium.

Henderson, a Hana resident, said the young generation of Hawaiians should be educated now so they don't repeat the ongoing debates about how Hawaiians should be governed.

Henderson joined at least 200 other Maui residents in attending "E Holo Mua" (to move forward), an event designed to educate the young Hawaiian generation as well as the public about Hawaiian issues.

The event, which included food and entertainment, was presented by the youth group Ke Au Hou (the new generation) with funding provided by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Henderson, a Hana High and Elementary School student, is a core member of Ke Au Hou and said he hoped the event would raise an awareness of all the Hawaiian viewpoints in the community.

According to group members, Ke Au Hou is made up of more than 1,015 youths in Hawaii, including about 200 from Maui.

The group does not advocate any model of government but believes Hawaiians must begin deciding what form of government they want as a way to respond to legal threats to Hawaiian cultural values, traditional and spiritual practices, lands and natural resources.

The group's members are youths 18 to 30 years old, although those younger and those not of Hawaiian ancestry are also invited to join.

Another core member, 16-year-old Kaimana Cabebe of Hana, said he appreciated the way the event brought Maui's youth together and let them know that they are not alone.

Cabebe said he hoped Hawaiian youths could "see what we can do together."

While the event was to gather Hawaiians together to learn about each other's opinions, there was much to be debated on what kind of sovereignty Hawaiians should seek.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Clyde Namuo said OHA is not advocating a certain type of government. "The people need to decide," he said.

But Namuo discussed parts of the Akaka Bill, which would provide federal recognition of Hawaiians in much the same way American Indians and native Alaskans are seen as indigenous groups.

Namuo said people might have questions about the Akaka Bill, such as whether Hawaiian claims would be settled against the United States if the bill were passed. (The measure would not settle any claims, he said.)

Among other things, the bill would establish an office in the Department of the Interior to address Native Hawaiian issues and create an interagency group made up of representatives of federal agencies that administer programs and policies affecting Native Hawaiians.

Henry Noa, prime minister of the Reinstated Hawaiian Kingdom, spoke against the Akaka Bill.

One of Noa's supporters, Dolly Vincent of Keanae, applauded Noa and booed Namuo's remarks.

Vincent said Hawaiians don't need to establish a government because "we have a government," with Noa presiding.

Akaka Bill opponents say that if the bill were passed, Hawaiians could not do anything before they consult with the Department of the Interior.

The debate's third panelist was Maui community leader George Kaimiola, who did not advocate positions on governance. But he vouched for the group Kau Inoa, which means place your name.

Kau Inoa's goal is to register 100,000 Native Hawaiians as the first key step in the formation of a new Hawaiian government.

Copyright © 2003 — The Maui News

Posted: Tue - February 17, 2004 at 08:24 AM

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New generation of Hawaiians explores sovereignty options

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