'Freedom Seekers' take to street, rally for isle's future

The Maui News reports on a new Hawaiian organization on Maui that plans to "fight against outsiders taking over Maui lands, stop breadwinners from having to work two to three jobs to make ends meet and help local children stay on Maui."

The Maui News
Monday, June 21, 2004

'Freedom Seekers' take to street, rally for isle's future

By MELISSA TANJI, Staff Writer

KAHULUI - The Freedom Seekers of Hawaii, a grass-roots group made up of Maui residents, rallied Sunday for the rights of the local working class and the future of Maui's keiki.

"This is for the children," said group founder Ken Hoopai Jr.

Hoopai and about 20 others held signs Sunday morning along Kaahumanu Avenue near its intersection with Kane Street, saying they want to fight against outsiders taking over Maui lands, stop breadwinners from having to work two to three jobs to make ends meet and help local children stay on Maui.

"Let's come back to the family thing," where parents and children sit down together for dinner and talk to one another, Hoopai said.

He said the tide of new Maui residents is partly to blame for the island's high cost of living and the need for longtime residents to juggle multiple jobs to take care of their children.

Christian Cummings, 14, agreed, saying she was participating "to support our islands."

"It's our island," she added.

Cummings and her brother Alex, 17, and grandmother, Edith Auwae, joined the group on Sunday.

"This is for their generation," said Auwae. "They are taking over the land."

Auwae said her children have Native Hawaiian blood, and she will fight for their rights for land.

But she hopes that other Hawaiians come out and unify.

Joining the Freedom Seekers on Sunday were members of the Sierra Club, the Reinstated Hawaiian Government and campaign volunteers for Maui County Council candidate Johnny Jackson, who's seeking the council's South Maui residency seat.

Participants held signs saying "Hands Off Maui" and "Maui for Maui's People."

Jackson said his campaign shares the goal of the demonstrators, which is rallying for working-class people such as those employed at fast-food restaurants, stores and hotels.

Every election year, the working class "gets thrown a few crumbs," he said.

Hoopai said he started the Freedom Seekers group about two months ago after seeing local residents trying to cope with Maui's high cost of living.

"I read the newspaper and saw the people suffer," he said.

Hoopai said the rally was the first public event for members of his group, but they plan to do more.

They hope to be a voice for those who are afraid to speak up, he said.

Among other issues raised was the selling of lands to outside developers.

Kahului resident Dennis Rieta Sr. said he is concerned about outsiders taking over agricultural lands and Maui residents not being able to afford homes.

Rieta, a farmer who has had to move from one farm site to another because agricultural lands were sold, said there is "no more compassion" for longtime residents.

Rieta said developments such as the Spencer Homes project in Waikapu, which is up for approval by the Maui County Council, are taking away lands.

The Spencer Homes project seeks to develop a 410-unit, at-cost affordable housing project in Waikapu.

"The County Council has the future of Maui in their hands," he said.

Rieta said he supports homes being developed and purchased by longtime residents who can afford them, but he's not pleased seeing Realtors standing in line for homes for Mainland residents.

For more information on Freedom Seekers of Hawaii, call Hoopai at 244-6162.

Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

Copyright © 2003 The Maui News

Posted: Tue - June 22, 2004 at 06:54 AM

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'Freedom Seekers' take to street, rally for isle's future

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