Posted on: Sunday, June 1, 2003

COMMENTARY
OHA will be teacher; all Hawai'i can learn

By Boyd Mossman

As the Office of Hawaiian Affairs launches a campaign to educate the people of Hawai'i about issues relating to the creation of a Hawaiian governing entity, I would like to explain some critical Hawaiian issues facing us today and why OHA has embarked upon an accelerated effort to gain federal recognition and establish a Hawaiian governing entity.

I am aware of those who rely on the United Nations and want only complete independence from the United States, as well as those arguing equal rights who want no Hawaiian benefits to continue — and I do not address these groups. They will not be interested in these words, so I address those who must wonder what recognition, nationhood, ceded-lands settlement and equal rights for all have to do with living in Hawai'i.

People of Hawaiian ancestry make up the largest percentage of Hawai'i prison inmates, the homeless, the undereducated, the broken families, the drug-addicted, etc. A familiar pattern, perhaps, as with the Native American and Alaskan Native tribes who involuntarily gave up homelands to a United States intent on expanding its borders. In each case, concern and attention resulted in a trust relationship between the United States and the native peoples and, for better or for worse, these indigenous peoples have been accommodated in one way or another for more than 100 years.

Though there is not complete consensus as to the historical justification for the overthrow of the Hawaiian nation and annexation of the Hawaiian Republic by the United States, suffice it to say that the United States knowingly or unknowingly, through its military might, caused an independent kingdom of Hawaiians to be denied its inherent rights as a nation.

Some may say that the Hawaiians did not suffer nearly as much as the Native Americans and so have not much reason to demand anything from the United States; however, the removal of the independence of an international nation recognized by the United States should be at least as significant as the removal of independence of tribal nations on the continental United States.

OHA is attempting to accomplish in two to three years what has not been accomplished in the last 110 years, by achieving federal recognition and creating a governing entity for Hawaiians to assist them in defending against the equal-rights lawsuits pending in the federal courts.

We believe we will be able to prevail in court and not only retain the benefits and entitlements being received by Native Hawaiians but also preserve the Hawaiian people and the Hawaiian culture. Then Hawai'i will continue to enjoy the aloha of a culture and people who themselves will, for the first time in more than 100 years, be able to conduct their affairs within the United States with recognition given them.

If we fail in the courts and Congress, if we cannot convince the Hawaiians themselves to unite in this effort, then you will have seen the last of the "Hawaiians" as we know them today. Hawaiians will be no different than Californians, Georgians, New Yorkers, etc.

We will no longer be identified as the descendants of a once-proud nation with a unique history, language and identity. We will melt into history.

The recognition, trust and entitlements heretofore provided the Hawaiian people will disappear. OHA's trust fund, Hawaiian Home Lands, the many state and federally financed programs addressing significant needs of Hawaiians will be no more.

Thus, we are compelled to press forward, against the contention, to seek to educate all the people of Hawai'i so they might have a better understanding, and then to facilitate the birth of a Hawaiian governing entity that will perpetuate the culture and people whose home, whose 'aina, whose spirit these islands are.

There remain many questions to answer, and time will tell the effect of our education effort, but I suggest that it would behoove us all to continue to keep Hawai'i Hawai'i — for as the Hawaiians go, so will Hawai'i.

Retired Judge Boyd P. Mossman is Maui trustee for the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs.