Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 2, 1 February 2001 — From a distance [ARTICLE]

From a distance

I have been reading the Ka Wai Ola o OHA for years, and it is very exciting to see Hawai'i pop out of its eoeoon. The issue of self-deter-mination, retribution etc. will never eome about until the Hawaiians make it a national issue and catch the attention of activists interested in human rights. I'm beginning to see small articles in the newspapers in Seattle about the Akaka Bill. I am also against limiting blood quantum to 50 percent. While I agree the Hawaiians with the most Hawaiian blood have suffered the most, there should be benefits for all Hawaiians with a "drop of Hawaiian blood." Otherwise, OHA will appear to be racist and not helping a the majority of Hawaiians. OHA gave my daughter a scholarship many years ago, whieh she apphed to her tuition at the University of Washington. Ever since, she has been telling people she is Hawaiian, even though she is only 1/32 Hawaiian. What better way to spread the message of Hawaiians than through its people who receive OHA benefits. Also, Seattle is receiving more and more Hawaiians because they don't have jobs in Hawai'i. The Native Hawaiian Trust Fund is not helping the Hawaiians onee they move abroad. It is very sad to see so many transplanted Hawaiians being forced out of Hawai'i due to finances. OHA should help these people! Sandra Coffey Castell Seattle