Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 2, 1 February 1989 — Master Plan Addresses Cultural Revival [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Master Plan Addresses Cultural Revival

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs recently published its revised master plan in late 1988. It eontains amended goals, objectives and policies to guide the agency in its overall mission of bettering the conditions of the Hawaiiian people. Ka Wai Ola O OHA is publishing major portions of the plan in severa! installments. In this second part, we will publish the first of OHA's four goals and its specific objectives and policies.

"The OHA Master Plan," Part II of a Series Goal 1: To achieve revival, enhancement, and maintenance of the Hawaiian culture. The traditions and culture of the Hawaiian people are very mueh alive today. Although other cultures and modern life have greatly influenced

changes in many cultural practices of Hawaiians, still many of our values, beliefs, and practices have been retained from our ancestors. These practices, in particular our language, the performing and visual arts, genealogies, healing arts, and our values and beliefs, are unique. Through cultural exchanges with our Pacific Island relatives we are able to understand the ancestral heritage we share in eommon; however, we also become

cognizant that our identity, our way of life, and our language are truly unique in the Pacific. And in this State, it is our traditions and culture that have become a cultural and eeonomie asset to all who reside or visit here. However, many vital and integral elements of our traditions and culture face imminent extinction as daily practices, and their loss would be irreplaceable as a treasure to its people and to the State of Hawai'i. Certainly it is

the duty of our Hawaiian community to be vigilant and to eonhnue to maintain our own traditions and culture; however, the State has a responsibility to "promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history and language" and to "provide for a Hawaiian education program consisting of language, culture and history in the public schools." (Hawaii Constitution, art. X, sec. 4.) Moreover, the State has a responsibility to ensure that our language is re-

spected as one of the official languages of this State. No other tradition and culture in the State of Hawai'i holds such recognition, and no other tradition and culture is more threatened to become mere political and eeonomie symbolism in its own homeland. Therefore, OHA shall pursue, protect, and promote the integrity and resources of the Hawaiian culture.

OBJECTIVE 1.1 To provide a comprehensive range of activities within 10 years, whieh will promote, finance, and stimulate Hawaiian art and culture. Policy 1.1. a Encourage, assist, and advocate programs and public activities whieh support the works and performance of Hawaiian artists and Hawaiian arts in all areas of expression. PoIicy 1.1. b Support and encourage the revival of traditional Hawaiian games and sports throughout the State so that in five years, instructions and implements for all Hawaiian games and sports are available.

OBJECTIVE 1.2 To promote and maintain Hawaiian as a living language and literature so that in 10 years, 100% more than the current minimum estimate of 2,000 Hawaiians who are native speakers speak and read their mother tongue. Policy 1.2.a Support the development, publication, availability, proper use, and maintenance of the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian language materials so that annually over the next five years, at least one document in the Hawaiian language is published.

OBJECTIVE 1.3 To support and assist individuals, agencies, organizations, and commissions responsible for Hawaiian events and ceremonies. Policy 1.3.a Cooperate with others to research and disseminate information concerning Hawaiian events and ceremonies so that in five years, there is information on all such events. Policy 1.3.b Promote the formulation of a program that makes possible Hawaiian participation in indigenous international eultura! events so that in five years, Hawaiians are represented in at least one of these events annually.

OBJECTIVE 1.4 To assist and encourage the conservation and culturally responsive management of historic and culturally significant Hawaiian sites and natural resources to prevent further destruction. Policy 1.4.a Encourage, coordinate, and assist research activities involving native flora and its applicable uses so that in five years, the amount of research conducted increases by 10%.

Policy 1.4.b Encourage community participation in maintenance of historic sites so that in five years, memoranda of agreements between the State Historic Preservation Officer, developers, and community groups increase so that there are at least two per island.

Policy 1.4.c Monitor and support the State and counties in registering Hawaiian historic properties so that in five years, the inventory and register increases by 50%. Policy 1.4.d Design a mechanism for resolving disputes over the preservation of historic sites so that in five years, the mechanism is fully operational. Policy 1.4.e Establish standards for archaeological work, including restoration of sites, so that in five years, such standards are published and disseminated. Policy 1.4.f Support land and historical sites acquisition efforts by developing and implementing a land acquisition and management plan within five years.

Policy 1.4.g Support acquisition of land for any preservation purpose by transfer of title so that in five years, there is at least one settled acquisition on eaeh island. Policy 1.4.h Within five years, include the interests, values, and need.s of native Hawaiians in all land and natural resources use decisions in the State, including but not limited to flora and fauna. OBJECTIVE 1.5 To develop, advocate, and support a greater understanding of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian religious

practices and rites, and protocol so that in 10 years, information on these is widely available. Policy 1.5.a Conduct and assist in research on Hawaiian religious practices and rites, and Hawaiian protocol so that in five years, OHA conducts or assists in 10 new research projects. Policy 1.5.b Within five years, provide a comprehensive information service concerning Hawaiian religious practices and rites, and Hawaiian protocol.

OBJECTIVE 1.6 To advocate and support the traditionaI uses of land and associated rights such as water and gathering rights. Policy 1.6.a Support and assist in the eompilation of an inventory of available land suitable for traditional or cultural uses so that in five years such a list exists. Policy 1.6.b In five years, develop and implement a mechanism to assess, support, coordinate, and monitor traditional land use activities.

PoIicy 1.6.c Support acquisition of land for traditional uses by developing and implementing a land acquisition and management plan within five years. OBJECTIVE 1.7 To encourage Hawaiian scholars to write and publish documents on Hawaiian history based on a full understanding of basic Hawaiian values and culture. Policy 1.7.a Support and assist in research on Hawaiian genealogy so that in five years, OHA assists in three major projects that involve archiving genealogical records.

Members of the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors proceed to the rim of Kilauea Voleano in this circa 1920s photo captioned "The ancient rites parade."

Photo bv Tai Sing Loo. Bishop Museum Photoaraph Collection. . . ...