OHA advances plan for Hawaiian self-rule

West Hawaii Today ^ | Friday, June 23, 2006 9:08 AM HST | Nancy Cook Lauer

[ckilmer]

OHA advances plan for Hawaiian self-rule

by Nancy Cook Lauer
Stephens Media Group
nclauer@stephensmedia.com
Friday, June 23, 2006 9:08 AM HST

HONOLULU -- Just two weeks after the U.S. Senate refused to consider self-rule for Native Hawaiians, the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday unanimously advanced a plan to create a new Hawaiian government by the end of 2007.

Most of the details of the ambitious plan were discussed during a closed-door session with OHA attorneys. The trustees then opened the meeting for a formal vote.

But a draft copy of "Hooulu Lahui Aloha, to Raise a Beloved Nation," obtained by Stephens Media Group details plans to hold a constitutional convention next summer, followed by the election of officers and transfer of Hawaiian assets by the end of the year.

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"I don't see this government here as being a stand-by government," said OHA Administrator Clyde Namuo, responding to a trustee's comment. "We need to assert ourselves as a sovereign people. And I think, as we have laid this out, it is with that goal in mind. Let's not, please, consider this to be simply a placeholder."

OHA itself would be dismantled, with its powers transferred to the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity. The new government would then negotiate with the governor, the state Legislature and Congress for full autonomy.

Namuo said the ambitious timetable is due in part to having a "friendly administration" to help pressure the state Legislature to amend statutes and the state constitution to accommodate the new government. Gov. Linda Lingle, who is considered very likely to win re-election this year, is an advocate of Native Hawaiian rights.

OHA's action follows the failure earlier this month of an attempt by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, to get the Senate to consider a bill paving the way for Native Hawaiian sovereignty.

The Akaka bill seeks to put in place a process for the estimated 400,000 Native Hawaiians -- about half of whom live in Hawaii --- to form a government entity and win formal recognition from the U.S. government.

It also would establish an office in the Department of Interior for Hawaiian issues and create an interagency group to monitor programs and policies that affect Native Hawaiians.

On the day the Akaka bill failed, Lingle held a news conference where she said she would be meeting with OHA to see how to "create a mechanism, a structure so the Hawaiian people can have the authority and responsibility for their own resources and assets." She had declined to be more specific.

Neither Lingle nor Akaka could be reached for further comment Thursday.

OHA's work builds on the efforts of a coalition of community leaders who, in 2003, started collecting names of those with Hawaiian blood as the first step in creating a Native Hawaiian governing entity. With help from OHA, the registration drive, known as "Kau Inoa," has collected more than 50,000 names.

Some OHA trustees worried that the coalition and other groups that have been pushing for Native Hawaiian rights might be taken aback by the aggressive involvement of OHA, which is a semiautonomous self-governing body created by state government to protect Native Hawaiian interests and assets. It is governed by a nine-member elected board.

"While these groups have history, and certainly brought the issue forward, kicked it around in the community, sometimes peacefully, sometimes more aggressively, I think it's all part of the maturation of the community," said Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona. "This framework is supposed to catalyze, invigorate and cause vibration in the community, but I think it's clear and I think our trustees know that this ultimate long-term process will not go forward without the support of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs."

[ckilmer]

Obama is bought and paid for...

He will push through the Akaka amendment.

[mamelukesabre]

i can’t figure out what the Orlando Housing Athority has to do with hawaii.

[weegee]

So are they seceding? Civil War II in the offing?

[ckilmer]

No, the USA will just fade away

[weegee]

I can’t find out what authority they have to declare independence. They already had to vote FOR statehood.

Puerto Rico keeps shying away from it. If they eventually DO become a state, would those who vote against it still be able to eventually declare “native peoples” claims?

What about “native” Americans who were here for generations before the 20million illegal immigrants?

[rfreedom4u]

While the tourism business is huge in Hawaii, I seriously doubt it will come anywhere close to making up for the loss of federal aid the state will lose if it secedes. Parts of Hawaii are comparable to a third world country already.

[bigbob]

Fat, drunk and addicted to Spam is no way to go through life, son.

[DB]

And the next hurricane that hits Hawaii will have them dialing for federal dollars... Funny how that works...

[John Valentine]

This haas nothing to do with secession. It is a manifestation of left-wing loon affinity for the notion of “diversity”. The end result of such identity politics is a loss of national identity and cohesiveness, and a rise in factionalism and discord.

It is insanity and akin to poking one’s self in the eye with a stick repeatedly. You can rest assured that NOTHING good can come of such nonsense. But it remains a favorite of the left and they will pursue this Balkanization of the United States to it logical conclusion. That is the end o the country they hate so much: The United States of America.

We need to fight these loons every and any place they surface. We need to get serious about it too, because they are VERY serious.

[davisfh]

"Fat, drunk and addicted to Spam is no way to go through life, son."

Bingo!!

[This Just In]

“Parts of Hawaii are comparable to a third world country already.”

What a load of bovine manure. I was born and raised in the Hawaiian islands (now living in one of the lower 48).

A group of people camped out on the beach, down the street, so to speak, from WALMART, and receiving their government assistance checks can hardly be described as “third world”.

The last time I talked with our missionary friends living in the real third world, the conditions they described can’t be compared to Hawaii.

Incidentally, the article is almost two years old.

[This Just In]

The problem is far deeper than factionalism. Marxism is at the root of this. I believe that for Communists, this is about gaining “sovereignty” for the Hawaiian people in the hopes that America will eventually close our military bases.

As you know, our military forces stationed in the islands hold a vital installation. If our military ever shuts down these installations, the United States will be vulnerable.

Dangle this kind of “Sovereignty” carrot in front of a people that have been disenfranchised, and they’ll naturally take the bait. But the average Hawaiian that’s been schooled through the public education system hasn’t a clue as to the diabolical motives behind this whole “movement”.

[cherry]

well if they do it, then I don’t want them voting in MY elections...just like I don’t want the Indians voting in MY elections...as long as they want a separate govt. then they should stay away from MY govt.....no taxes...but no benefits....

[cherry]

"Incidentally, the article is almost two years old."

LOL....we're right on top of things....

[This Just In]

CORRECTION: The article is almost 3 years old, rather than 2 as I previously stated.

It’s dated Friday, June 23, 2006 9:08 AM

[ckilmer]

I don’t see why being fat, drunk and addicted to Spam gives Hawaiians the right to a huge land grab.

[stormer]

“Parts of Hawaii are comparable to a third world country already.”

I’m guessing you’ve never been to either.

[rfreedom4u]

Actually I was in Hawaii (2002 to 2006) for 3 1/2 years (and want to go back). I’ve also been to Mexico and Morocco and I am currently in Iraq.

[stormer]

I stand corrected and appreciate your service.