Posted on: Thursday, August 5, 2004
ISLAND VOICES
The time is right for nationhood
By Charles Rose
In the past week, thousands of Hawaiians have opened their mail to find a historic registration form, Kau Inoa. It seeks to finally right the wrongs committed in the illegal overthrow of 1893.
As head of one of the state's largest Hawaiian organizations, I'm urging all Hawaiians to fill out the form and make the quest for self-determination and nationhood a higher priority in their lives. And I want to stress that this effort is not tied to the Akaka bill.
Yes, this is not the first time we have asked Hawaiians to sign up. Painfully, each and every self-determination proposal, no matter how valid, no matter how innovative, no matter how creative, no matter how popular, has failed to capture the hearts and minds of the majority of the Native Hawaiian people, let alone the general community. This in spite of formal apologies for the tragedy and harm that resulted from the illegal overthrow in 1893.
In addition, there is concern about the Akaka bill. While recent polls show strong support among both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians for federal recognition, opponents have once again surfaced. Many are supporters of independence who see federal recognition as a threat. Others are non-Hawaiians who oppose any form of justice for Hawaiians. These voices, although in the minority, have been very vocal and on occasion hostile.
In 2002, the trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved facilitating the nationhood process and providing the necessary funding. This effort toward nationhood is currently under way and should be supported by everyone. I submit that if nationhood is to become a reality, the current attempt must succeed. This should be the final effort.
The challenge for us is to persuade every person of Hawaiian ancestry that nationhood is the most important issue facing our people and that they should actively become a part of the process. We must capture their hearts and minds.
Please encourage all of your family, extended 'ohana, friends and associates to fill out the Kau Inoa form. If you require additional application forms, please let us know. We need to provide the opportunity for every person of Hawaiian ancestry to participate in the process.
In order to succeed, we will need the cooperation of every single person of Hawaiian ancestry. I appeal to everyone, let's set aside our differences, let's mobilize our people. Let's get to work.
Charles Rose is president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
