Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 12, 1 December 1989 — Single definition vote is to be held [ARTICLE]

Single definition vote is to be held

Ballots are on the way

The Office of Hawāiian Affairs will conduct a referendum of all eligible Native Hawaiian voters, in December and January, to clarify their wishes regarding a "single Native Hawaiian definition." The announcement was made by Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr., chairman of the OHA Board of Trustees, at a news conference held Nov. 20. The referendum was mandated and funded by the state legislature. Bilingual ballots wiO be mailed out Dec. 5 asking people of Hawaiian ancestry to vote yes or no on the foflowing: As it defines the beneficiaries of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trust and entitlements, should the term "Native Hawaiian" mean all descendents of the indigenous people inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778? This will be OHA's second referendum on the

question of a single definition of Native Hawaiian. The results of last year's referendum of OHA's qualified"voters showed 84 percent in favor of a single definition. The 1988 referendum was eonducted to inform the OHA trustees of the true wishes of its Hawaiian voters. Kaulukukui said this second referendum is for the state legislature. Kaulukukui said this referendum gives the Hawaiian people the opportunity to decide for themselves who is Native Hawaiian. "In the past, this definition has been made by non-Hawauans", he said. He added that a single Native Hawaiian beneficiary definition will make it possible for all Hawaiians to benefit from OHA trust revenues. The trust revenues were originally derived from ceded lands set aside for all Hawaiians. Kaulukukui said, "A single definition of Native Hawaiian will mean our people will never again be separated from our land or from eaeh other." "Because the law governing OHA is a state law, the legislature sought further clarification before

enacting legislation to change the law. "We are, therefore, obligated to carry out their request and present the results to them," he said. The results will be taken into consideration during deliberations on proposed legislation to change the law. Kaulukukui s«iid special provisions have been made to prevent the logistical problems whieh plagued the first referendum. "First, we have extended the ba!loting time to a fufl seven weeks. Second, all ballots will be mailed first class and in time to avoid holiday delays." Kaulukukui said trustees believe that this referendum will give equal status to all Hawaiians. A single Native Hawaiian beneficiary class definition provides equality to all people who are descendents of Hawaii's first and, for nearly 2,000 years, only people. He said it eliminates any separation of families due to blood quantum. The referendum will further answer the question of whether Hawaiians wish to have a single continued on page 15

Vote

from page 1 Native Hawaiian beneficiary class as it pertains to OHA trust revenues, Kaulukukui said. Today, over 60 percent of the total Hawanan population has less-than-half native blood. In another 15 years 70 percent of the Hawanan population will be excluded from OHA programs and activities funded by trust funds. Kaulukukui said it is because of these statistics that OHA trustees believe a single Native Hawanan definition would best serve aH Hawanans seeking benefits from OHA trust revenues. There had been some eoneem over what effect the referendum would have over the Hawanan Homes definition, Kaulukukui said. The Hawauan Homes definition of a Native Hawaiian was established in the Hawaiian Homes Act of 1920, a federal law enacted by Congress. He said because it is a federal law it will not be affected by the OHA referendum. The referendum wiH clarify the wishes of the Hawaiian people pertaining to OHA, not Hawanan Homes. If the state legislature decides to enact legislation to change the law on the OHA referendum question it would not change the adopted policies by the OHA board of trustees. These policies give "preference" to Hawaiians of 50 percent-or-more native Hawaiian blood where there is a demonstrated need, he said. "I join with the members of the OHA board of. trustees in recommending a "yes" vote on the referendum question of a single Native Hawaiian definition," Kaulukukui said. Voter registration information Where to register on O'ahu Office of the Lieutenant Govemor, State Capitol, 5th floor, Honolulu, Hawai'i. Phone 454VOTE or 548-2544. City and County of Honolulu Elections and Registrations Office, Honolulu Hale, 530 South King St., Room 100, Honolulu,

Hawai'i, 96813. Phone 5234293. The Elections and Registration Office will also direct callers to contact the closest Satellite City Hall office and will provide telephone numbers for the offices. Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1600 Kapi'olani Boulevard, Suite 1500, Honolulu, Hawai'i, 96814. Phone 946-2642. Recorded hotline 946-5703. Neighbor Islands It is suggested that neighbor island residents eall the loeal OHA liaison office for voter registration locations and hours as follows: Kaua'i at 245-4390, Maui at 2444219, Moloka'i at 553-3611, Hilo at 961-7349 and Kona at 329-7368.

Neighbor Islands Hotline l-800-442-Vote (toll free) Neighbor island residents may also eall their loeal county clerk for additional information.