Posted on: Monday, June 13, 2005
Independence seekers urged to go to U.N.
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer
A U.N. expert on indigenous peoples is encouraging those seeking an independent Hawaiian nation to press their case for self-determination at the United Nations, saying the body could provide an international forum to air their grievances.
Julian Burger, coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples Unit of the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, is speaking to college classes and Native Hawaiian groups as well as visiting key sites during a two-week trip sponsored by the Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights and other organizations.
"Please come and make as much noise as possible," Burger told a gathering of Hawaiian independence movement leaders at the home of activist Kekuni Blaisdell last week. "Use the space that exists to talk about the problems, speak from your hearts, give the evidence ... make sure the story is known as widely as possible."
Those gathered were among those Native Hawaiians who are opposed to the Akaka Bill, which would have the U.S. government recognize Native Hawaiians in the same manner American Indians and Native Alaskans are recognized, and instead seek a more separate relationship with the United States.
Asked what it would take to get the United Nations to accept Hawai'i as an independent member nation, Burger said he believes it would require the support of the U.S. government. "They could veto; they could hold it back," Burger said. "I think they could hold things up for you."
Blaisdell, convenor of the Kanaka Maoli Tribunal Komike and a separate group known as Ka Pakaukau, said he was inspired by Burger's visit.
The United States won't relinquish its grip on Hawai'i unless compelled to do so, not something that will happen anytime soon, Blaisdell said.
"That's why we have to appeal to the rest of the world, as well as to those with a conscience in the United States, to recognize who we are and to support re-establishment of our government under our control," he said. "We're calling on the United Nations to use its own law, international law, to support our cause."
Speaking separately with Advertiser editors and reporters this week, Burger said the United Nations may not be the last step for those seeking a separate government.
"In the United Nations and international law, there's no right to independence," he said. "What you have is a right to self-determination."
And while it can take many forms, "self-determination, at least in practice, is a very pragmatic concept," Burger said. "It allows an opportunity for one group to discuss with another group how it should relate to that group."
Many Hawaiian groups, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, disagree with the independence movement and believe the Akaka Bill is the best first step toward self-determination.
Anthony Sang, chairman of the state Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, believes it may be futile for Native Hawaiian groups to go international with their fight. He cited the effort of a Big Island man who, claiming his rights as a citizen of the Hawaiian kingdom were being violated, took his case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The case was rejected when the United States declined to be a party to the proceeding.
"We don't believe that's the channel that our organization wants to follow," Sang said.
Instead, he said, his group wholeheartedly supports the Akaka bill. "We want to stay within the framework of the United States Constitution. That's what we feel is the most logical way to eventually get what we deserve by law."
But Blaisdell said he and others don't buy into the Akaka bill. "Federal recognition is a sell-out," he said. "It's an attempt by the United States to deny us full independence by setting up a puppet government under the Department of the Interior such as the American Indians and Alaskan natives. They want to control it and call it self-determination, which it is not."
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8026.
