Ezra asks for ho'oponopono

According to an Advertiser article, at the court hearing over the Kawaihae cave objects dispute, Judge "Ezra yesterday asked parties involved in the dispute to participate in the Hawaiian practice of ho'oponopono or some other type of alternative resolution as a possible means to resolve the controversial lawsuit. The judge said he agrees with those Native Hawaiians who have publicly stated that the federal court should not decide the outcome of the case. 'The whole idea is to take the matter out of the courtroom and into the hands of Hawaiians,' Ezra said." Hui Malama says it "has always been open to this kind of Hawaiian alternative dispute resolution procedures."

Ezra also said "he would consider home confinement [for Hui Malama executive director Ayau] if, at some point, 'I see that progress is being made' to reach a solution to the conflict."

Also, "About a dozen supporters have been been holding vigils and offering chants on behalf of Ayau at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. each day across from the Federal Detention Center. The loose-knit group, over the weekend, also began passing out a petition seeking Ayau's release, said Mehana Hind, a traditional Hawaiian practitioner."

The Star-Bulletin story on the hearing concludes with this:

[Ezra] stressed that he is concerned about how this case is further "splitting native Hawaiians" because "a divided Hawaiian community is an ineffective Hawaiian community."

"If you wish to press for rights, you can't do it by being splintered and fragmented. And coming together once a year to march up and down Kalakaua Avenue isn't going to do it," Ezra said.

But in the Star-Bulletin letters, Keao NeSmith writes:

I am Hawaiian, and I do not feel less bonded to other Hawaiians over this issue. No matter what side of the issue we stand on, all Hawaiians who are physically able will show up at the next "Ku i ka Pono" march to demonstrate our solidarity and objection to the greater issue: the continued illegal occupation of the Hawaiian kingdom by the United States, which ignores kingdom law and implements its own laws to the physical and political detriment of Hawaiian nationals.

On July 5, 2001, the Hawaiian kingdom government filed a complaint against the United States with the Security Council of the United Nations regarding its occupation of the kingdom. It is only there that the issue can be fully appreciated.

And in the Advertiser letters Laura K. Manuel-Arrighi says, "'Auwe that those who applaud the arrest further perpetuate divisiveness..."

Also, in the Hawaii Reporter, Andrew Walden wonders if this dispute is a "Post-Akaka Power Struggle Preview."

Update: Doug has his thoughts on the latest development.

Posted: Fri - January 6, 2006 at 01:19 PM

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Ezra asks for ho'oponopono

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