Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 12, 1 December 1999 — Keep it simple [ARTICLE]

Keep it simple

Efforts to register people with the inherent right to participate in deciding what course of action we of native ancestry take is the first step to understanding. Another attempt should be made to accomplish this as effective communication only begins when it flows two ways. The reason early attempts failed is due to established groups basing their claims of legitimacy on registration cards returned through their organizations. OHA has the means to make available forms stating no endorsement is indicated by this registration. Information needed to confirm ehgibihty to vote ean be obtained from state birth certificates. Eligible individuals will not have to go further back than grandparents to find records here. The heritage of island people is to keep methods as simple as they ean. The knowing of Hawai'i's unique balanee by islanders today is becoming rare and causes the kapakahi, or onesided, perception destroying our natural eommon sense. We are fortunate the opportunity exists to restore the heritage of our forefathers. AU that needs to be done is for native descendants to take the first step together. Richard L. Feliciano Peari City