Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 2, 1 February 2004 — ʻKau Inoaʻ registration effort launched [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻKau Inoaʻ registration effort launched

Organizers hope 100,000 Hawūiians will sign up to join in the formūtion of ū governing body By Ka Wai Ola staff At the traditionally auspicious hour of midday on Jan. 17, the 1 1 1 th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Hawaiian community leaders gathered near the downtown Honolulu statue of Kamehameha I to symbolically become the first to "kau inoa" (sign up) in the process of building a new native governing body. Twenty-seven Hawaiian leaders representing a broad spectrum of the

community — including the ali'i trusts, civic clubs, royal societies, homesteaders and elected officials — participated in the ceremony that launched the "Kau Inoa" registration drive. Organizers of the drive hope to eventually register at least 100,000 Native Hawaiians who are willing to participate in the shaping of a new Hawaiian governing entity. According to Census 2000 figures, there are approximately 240,000 Hawaiians in Hawai'i and more than 160,000 across the continental United States. Registration is open to Native Hawaiians living anywhere in the world. There is no blood quantum requirement, but Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by records such as a birth certificate or by previous verification through programs like Hawaiian Home Lands or OHA's Hawaiian Registry and Operation 'Ohana.

See KAU INOA on page 4

Top: OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona, Royal society members Aunty Marguerite Kealanahele and Hailama Farden, and Lt._Gov. Duke Aiona inaugurate the Kau Inoa sign-up. Below: dancers representing the 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition offer a hula, and native-rights attomey Bill Mehe'ula shares his mana'o. Photos: KaWaioia statt

KAU INOA from page 1 Remaking history The Kau Inoa launeh ceremony was held in front of a red-and-gold festooned Ali'iōlani Hale, the former seat of the Kingdom's legislature and the spot where Sanford Dole announced the eoup against the monarchy in 1893. Returning to the site that "witnessed the demise of Native Hawaiian governance," OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona said at the event, "we gather together to refocus, renew and reaffirm our commitment to Native Hawaiian self-determination." In welcoming participants to the signing ceremony, Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. Director Mahealani Kamau'u said, "Today, we build upon the good works and the strong foundation of a great and loving people. Let us be grateful for our strong spirit, a sacred gift from our kūpuna. Let us heed that spirit, as we continue to move along the immutable path toward full restoration of our nation." Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona was among the first group to sign registration forms produced after several months of planning by broad-based community working groups. Other participants in the signing ceremony included Robert Awana, chief of staff for Gov. Linda Lingle; Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer; Hawaiian civic club leader Charles Rose; OHA trustees; kūpuna Auntie Mālia Craver and Auntie Genoa Keawe; state Rep. Ezra Kanoho; First Hawaiian Bank Senior VP Corbett Kalama; retired Judge Walter Heen; royal society members; and Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the Hawaiian-rights polhieal action group the 'īlio'ulaokalani Coalition. Takamine expressed the eoalition's support for the Kau Inoa effort, but, acknowledging a nearby group of about 20 protesters voicing opposition to the process, she also cautioned that "in order to assure maximum support from the broader Hawaiian community, we must be assured that this process is not eontrolled or influenced by any government agency." Takamine called on

Community eouneil to guide process The Kau Inoa registration drive is part of an ongoing process aimed at the formation of an elected body to represent Native Hawaiians. Decisions about the next steps in that process will be made by an advisory eouneil of Hawaiian community leaders representing a broad diversity of perspectives on Hawaiian self-governance. That eouneil is now in the process of being formed. Speaking at the registration kiekoff ceremony, OHA Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o stressed that the agency will not seek to "eall the shots" or control the advisory council's decision-making process. As an example, he pointed out that the Kau Inoa registration records will be kept by the organization Hawai'i Maoli, a nonprofit arm of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Speakers at the event were especially careful to point out that this process is independent of the "Akaka-Stevens" federal recognition bill before Congress, and will go forward regardless of whether or not the bill is passed. Community activist Lela Hubbard — considered one of the OHA's fiercest critics — also participated in the registration launeh, and urged members of other "dissident groups" to sign up as well. "I think that the dissident groups — and I'm part of the loyal opposition to the Akaka Bill — need to sign on to this enrollment," Hubbard said. "Because that will bring us to where we ean kūkākūkā, we ean argue our issues among ourselves, and that is what will build a strong nation." For more information on the Kau Inoa registration effort, including a downloadable registration form and texts of speeches from the kick-ojf event, please visit www.oha.org, or eall Hawai'i Maoli at 394-0050. ■

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Above: OHA Community Outreach Coordinator Aulani Apoliona (at right) explains the registration process to event attendees. Right: Community activist Lela Hubbard and Rep. Neil Abercrombie share views. Photos: Derek Ferrar

"independent observers" like the League of Women Voters to ensure a fair process.