Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 05, 1 May 2003 — Ka Lāhui: end of a nation [ARTICLE]

Ka Lāhui: end of a nation

Leka Kālele I I

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Ka Lāhni Hawai"i (KLH), a Native Hawaiian initiative for self-gover-nanee since 1987, finally held its elections in February for leadership positions as mandated by its constitution to be held every four years. l!he questionable way these elections were handled is the last straw fot the swelling number of disgruntled citizens who have been in exodus since the most recent KLH leaders, namely Treasurer Lehua Kinilau and Lt. Gov. Keali'i Gora, took office in 1999. Many citizens are speculating that the elections process and results were manipulated by KLH lcadership to hold on to power over a "nation" that has a long and reputable Native Hawaiian advocacy record in state, federal and international arenas due to the hard woik of predecessors like former KLH Governor Mililani Trask. With KLH grant monies to protect and negotiations for federal recognition underway, present KLH leadership has no intention of ever letting go of the

reins of power over an ever-diminishing constituency. The tactics used to manipulate the recent elections show the true character of the new "leaders." Before the election, Ms. Kinilau told KLH citizens that she would not run for KLH office again because she foresaw being in Washington, D.C., with her employer, a state legislator then running for the late Rep. Patsy Mink's seat in Congress. When Ms. Kinilau's legislator lost after the KLH candidate deadline, elections head Mr. Gora extended the elections deadline citing the small number of applicants. More questions arose when citizens received ballots very late in the aelual elections period or not at all, a candidate's name omitted and the ballot counting beld without candidates and O'ahu caucus members present. Despite being a candidate Ms. Kinilau controlled the KLH database and mail l out ballots herself. Mr. Gora was hard to reach during the processing period and did not show up at

O'ahu caucus meetings to announee any results. After many requests, they were obtained in mid-April. Unsurprisingly, Lehua Kinilau bas "won" KLH's highest office, Governor, while her colleague, Sam Kealoha, "won" for Lt. Governor. 0ver the past four years under the current leadership, the onee strong grassroots voice of KLH has been silenced. After the electoral escapades, KLH has now lost its integrity. Remembering those kū'ē (right on) citizens that eame before we feel both sad and angry that they gave so mueh for a "nation" that has been destroyed for self-gain of a few. Auē, the onee great "nation" of Ka Lāhui Hawai'i that stood for being pono (righteous) has ended. O'ahu: Moloka'i: Sweets Matthews Clatfys Duvachelle joao Havanna McLafferty Tanya Pua'ala Pale Olani von Oelhoffen F. Mililani Kong Healani Sonoda Billie-Jo Ah Yee Clara Kakalia Vienna Nahinu