Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 7, 1 July 2016 — Hawaiians Haue a history of civic engagement [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians

Haue a history of civic engagement

Hawaiian role models inspired Aloha Āina, civic engagement and voting

% Jflrancine Kananionapua JHurtatf As the Hōkūle'a navigates the world without instruments, guided by the wisdom of its crew who read the heavens like celestial maps and feel the water move as if it is part of them, the ieonie vessel suggests memories of the rich and vibrant culture that thrived in Hawai'i — a self-sustaining large population with sophisticated land management practices, laws, religion, medicinal practices, and detailed technical and mathematical skills. During the reign of King Kalākaua, the literacy rate was extremely high by world standards — almost every Hawaiian could read and write, with many educated in colleges abroad through the monarch's foreign study program. A knowledgeable and advanced people with a community-focused civilization rooted in civic engagement, citizens at all levels actively worked to better conditions for the community as a whole. That sense of community and caring for one another is what helps people to excel through both the good times and the challenges.

Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell There were many Native Hawaiian role models who worked diligently to maintain our Hawaiian sense of community, among them Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell (1858-1908), the daughter of John Maipinepine Bright and Mary Kamai Hanaike. Born of royal Hawaiian blood from Maui, Abigail Kuaihelani Bright married James Campbell, an American businessman. Their children heeame heirs to the throne (ancestors to the living royal family). After the overthrow, two Hawaiian organizations were founded to support the Queen - Hui Aloha 'Āina for Men and Hui Aloha 'Āina for Women. After U.S. President McKinley signed the treaty of Annexation, Hui Kālai'āina, a Native Hawaiian political group established after the Bayonet Constitution, joined the two Hui Aloha 'Āina groups. United, they formed the Hawaiian Patriotic League in an effort to oppose annexation. Honorable and educated people themselves, the members of the Hawaiian organizations believed if the U.S. government knew that the majority of Hawaiian citizens opposed annexation then justice would prevail and the throne would be restored. This is when the Kū'ē Petition drive began. Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Emma Aima Nāwahl traveled on the interisland ship, stopping at every port with petition sheets for eaeh Hawaiian community to sign. They were greeted with lei, gifts and deep appreciation, returning with thousands of signatures. Mrs. Campbell served as president of Hui Aloha 'Āina for Women for as long as the organization existed. Often caring for underprivileged Hawaiians, she was remembered fondly for her many charitable acts.

MO'OLELO NUI C0VER FEATURE

Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell established Hui Aloha 'Āina for Women and gathered signatures for the Kū'ē Petitions. Pictured with her 'ohana. - Archive Photo

X Robert William Wilcox — Two rebellions - both to restore the power of the monarchs - were led by Robert William Kalanihiapo Wilcox (1855-1903), the first with 300 men in 1888 over the Bayonet Constitution, and second in 1898 to restore Queen Lili'uokalani. Wilson was sentenced to death for his treason, but later pardoned.

He continued to work to better conditions for the Hawaiian community and advocated for Hawaiians during the drafting of the Organic Act, whieh created the goveming legislation for the Territory of Hawai'i.

X Home Rule Party Hui Aloha 'Āina worked to secure civil and poliheal rights for Hawaiians. Concerned that the Democratic and Republican parties would not represent them well, the two Hui Aloha 'Āina organizations merged, creating the Home Rule Party. David Kalauokalani became the party president. Party meetings were often held in Hawaiian and members encouraged Hawaiians to participate in civic activities and run for office to maintain some political power over how the people of Hawai'i were governed. David Kalauokalani served as a senator in the territorial legislature, and a member on the Board of Heahh. 1 A member of the Home Rule Party, Robert Wilcox was elected Delegate to the U.S. Congress, without voting rights (1899-1902). Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole also joined the Home Rule Party and served as the nonvoting Territorial Delegate to Congress (1903-1922). In Congress, Kūhiō secured appropriations for the territory, lobbying congressmen behind the scenes to fund new public buildings, the dredging of Honolulu Harbor, and the building of Hawaiian lighthouses among other benefits for the islands. In 1918, out of deep eoneem for the Hawaiian eommunity, Kūhiō established the Hawaiian Civic Club as a way to remind Hawaiians of their inherent civic pride.

According to the Civic Club website it "was dedicated to the education of the Hawaiian - young and old, to help elevate and promote their social, eeonomie, civic and intellectual status, all while promoting the principles of good government as they themselves became outstanding citizens, leaders in their communities and take an active part and plaee in the civic progress

of Hawai'i and its people." ? In 1919 he secured $27 million in federal funds for improvements in Hawai'i, and endorsed a territory bill for woman suffrage. With a strong desire to preserve the Hawaiian people, whose numbers were dwindling, in 1921 Kūhiō was instrumental in helping to pass the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, a homestead program whieh

provided land grants to Hawaiians who wanted to return to farming or ranching on parcels large enough to raise a family and for commercial production. He also lobbied for funds for the leper colony at Kalaupapa, and for federal monies for public schools.

X Aloha 'Āina After the overthrow, prolific writers and artists emerged and Hawaiian language newspapers grew, becoming a valued resource for sharing oral traditions, mo'olelo (stories) and politics, such as the work and mission of the Home Rule Party. Love of the land, Aloha 'Āina, eame to be the Hawaiian equivalent of patriotism, amplified by the old Hawaiian concept of how people are born of the land and are related to it like family through mother earth - in Hawai'i her name is Papahānaumoku, who gave birth to these islands. Thus, caring for the environment provides for the individual, families, the community, and future generations. Today there is a resurgence of Aloha 'Āina, coupled with Mālama 'Āina as many return to their roots by returning to the land. Be inspired by the stories of Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell who traveled the state gathering signatures forthe Ku'e Petitions, Robert William Wilcox and Prince Kūhiō who fought to restore the Queen and the passion that fueled their work to better the lives of the lāhui by doing what they could within the systemof their time. Let themmove you. Let Aloha 'Āina move you, as it did our ancestors, to engage civically this eleehon year - to get involved and vote.

In 2015, the state of Hawai'i faced numerous tumultuous issues like rising housing prices, homelessness, pollution, construction, traffic and the ever-increasing cost of rail. The added issues of gun control, heahh care, minimum wage and immigration were also in the news. Concerns over these issues have left many feeling helpless or frustrated. Change ean happen if people get involved. Voting in the state and county elections ean have a great impact on loeal issues, laws and regulations. Exercise your patriotism. Let your voice be heard by voting for candidates who align with your beliefs. If elected officials do not do what they promise, voice your disapproval with your vote. Your voice matters and every vote counts. In 2010, Marilyn Lee won the State Legislature House of Representatives District 38 race with only 16 votes. You ean make a difference in the next loeal election. Voting is easy. Now registration ean be done from the convenience of your home, online at the Office of Elections website: https://olvr.hawaii.gov. To vote from home, you ean register Permanent Absentee from the same website. If you are already registered to vote, the deadline to register absentee is seven days before the election. If you are a first time registrant, the deadline is 30 days before the election. ■

Hui Aloha 'Āina o Nā Kāne. - Archive Photo

Hui Aloha 'Āina o Nā Wahine. - Archive Photo

Robert William Kalanihiaapo Wilcox was the first Delegate to the U.S. Congress from the Territory of Hawai'i, lobbied for the Hawaiian community in the U.S. after failing to get the Queen reinstated locally. - Archive Photo

Prince Jonah Kūhīo Kalaniana'ole. - Archive Photo