Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 8, 1 August 1999 — Reconvene [ARTICLE]

Reconvene

Aloha. After 107 years of recess, we will reconvene and rebuild our nation. This is an honor given to us by our martyr, Queen Lih'uokalani, who protected her people, her eountry and our future. The overwhelming support of our kūpuna who signed those petitions of protest demonstrates the meaning of "ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono." We now see our kuleana even clearer. Our kuleana is to mālama our 'āina, our kahakai, our 'ohana and our independent Hawaiian nation. This is our ponahakeola, it comes instinctively, naturally and willingly. Our aloha and respect for all people of this papahonua (earth), home for all nations, including ours, will surely make the difference. We were never meant to be clones of any nation or people. We are who we were, and we know what our See LE i i ERS on page 3

LETTERS FROM PAGE 2 heroes did for our children's children. Recess is almost over. The bell will soon ring for our precious lreedom. Mahalo to all who have risen to the eall of justice, not just for Hawaiians, but for all. "'O ka makapō wale nō ka mea hāpapa i ka pō uli" (only the blind grope in the dark night). Justice may be blind, but we are not. 'Ohana, keep up the good work. We shall convene and kīloi the "'ōpalatics." Ma'o Mākua