Report on anti-Grassroot Institute direct action

Rec'd via email

From: Ikaika Hussey <ikaika @ husseyassociates.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 15:05:51 -1000
Subject: Report on anti-Grassroot direct action

Aloha Aina Kakou:

Mahalo to everyone for coming out today at such short notice for the action against the Grassroot Institute. Mahalo to Dee Jay Mailer and Ann Botticelli of KS, the haumana and kumu of the Hawaiian charter schools, Mervina Cash-Kaeo of Alu LIke (update–attending in her personal capacity only, not as CEO of Alu Like), Jon Osorio of CHS, Uncle Kekuni Blaisdell, and our taroroots activists --- Uncle George Kahumoku Flores, Ben Manuel, Lynette and James, and Regina Gregory and her daughter. And mahalo to Adrian Kamalii for the mea 'ai, and to the Democratic Party for allowing us to use their photocopy machine.

We started to show up shortly after 10 am. The actual action began at 10:30, when the students arrived. We opened with pule, and a lively rendition of Kaulana Na Pua, led by Jon Osorio. We discussed the parameters for the action, and the ground rules (no harm to businesses, focus only on GR Institute, abide by landlord's directives). Jon Osorio gave a great speech, congratulating the spirit of resistance, followed by Dee Jay Mailer's invocation that we were there to protect the inheritance left to us by our alii. She said that this kind of action isn't foreign to Kamehameha Schools, and that "it's just right." We couldn't agree more.

After the opening, the students and adults took the sidewalk with small handheld signs. The students performed powerful chants. Visually, it was a stirring sight --- bright t-shirts, majestic Hawaiian flags, and clear voices. We distributed an open letter to the tenants of the Interstate Building to inform passers-by about why we were there (enclosed below).

At about 11:30, a delegation of about 12 students and teachers went upstairs to speak with the Grassroot staff, and ask them to explain why they are attacking our rights. A student informs us that just as we were getting to their office floor, he saw someone quickly leave the office with a stack of boxes. By the time the delegation got to the office, it was completely vacated.

Jon Osorio made the excellent point that we (the lahui Hawaii) move in the open, in the light of the day, without fear or shame, while the Grassroot types move in the shadows, as if they are ashamed and afraid of confrontation. We should be proud of our wiwo'ole -- our fearlessness -- in our willingness to take action publicly.

We closed the event at about noon with pule and oli mahalo.

Reporters from Ka Wai Ola o OHA, KGMB, the Honolulu Weekly, and Olelo were there to document our action and our leo.

Several major organs of our Hawaiian nation are working now as a coalition to develop a strategy to protect against the lawsuits. The unity being built is impressive. Unfortunately, because of schedule difficulties, more organizations couldn't be with us today. Hopefully more people will be able to participate next time.

Aloha aina,
Ikaika

Flyer handed to building tenants in the extended entry...

Update: Lynette has some photos from the protest.

Tenants of the Interstate Building
1314 South King St.
Honolulu, HI 96814

June 8, 2007

Aloha Tenants of the Interstate Building:

This morning, members of the Hawaiian community are gathering outside your workplaces for a single purpose: to shine a light on an organization housed here that is working to undermine and erode Native Hawaiian rights. That organization is the Grassroot Institute, located in Suite 1163. The Grassroot Institute, both corporately and via its members and affiliates, is part of a reactionary movement to expropriate the collective inheritance of the indigneous peoples of Hawaii. In so doing, they have misused the grand language of the U.S. civil rights movement to facilitate their goals, while continuing the deplorable tradition of the jingoists, the yellow journalists, and the annexationists of the 19th century.

On May 15, 2007, attorney David Rosen sent an e-mail entitled “Request for Plaintiffs” to two individuals, Richard Rowland of the Grassroot Institute, and attorney William Burgess. Mr. Rosen explained in the e-mail that he intended to file a new lawsuit challenging Kamehameha Schools’ admission policy, only days after a settlement in Doe v. Kamehameha Schools was announced to the public. Mr. Rowland accepted Mr. Rosen’s request for assistance and forwarded the e-mail to an unknown number of recipients.

Mr. Rosen is a mere attorney – but it is the Grassroot Institute that serves as cheerleader, organizer, and think tank for the dissolution of indigneous rights.

And the Grassroot Institute does not operate alone: it is a local node in an ultraconservative sweep throughout the United States which aims to dismantle women’s rights, minority rights, LGBT rights, ecological sustainability, international cooperation, and supports for working families.

It’s our sincere hope that our presence here today does not hinder your daily business. Our intent is to educate the general public, and to defend our heritage. Thank you for your patience.

Aloha Aina

The People On the Sidewalk

Posted: Sat - June 9, 2007 at 05:27 PM

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Report on anti-Grassroot Institute direct action

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