Native Hawaiian groups, lawmakers offer views of global issues

Ka Wai Ola O OHA
November 2008

By Liza Simon / Ka Wai Ola

At the annual Native Hawaiian Convention, a panel discussion with state lawmakers ranged from energy solutions to the pending U.S. Supreme Court review of the state's ability to sell ceded lands. From left are: Sens. Russell Kokubun, Colleen Hanabusa, Jill Tokuda, J. Kalani English and Rep. Mina Morita. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

While it was not planned to be a dominant theme, fallout from the world economic crisis came under examination at the Policy Roundtable and Town Hall that capped off the seventh annual Native Hawaiian Convention organized by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. The purpose of the Oct. 2 roundtable was to present state lawmakers with Native Hawaiian policy recommendations by CNHA's 90 member organizations. However, many speakers drew connections between the initiatives they were prepared to discuss and the breaking news about turmoil in the nation's banking system and the fact that the U.S. House of Representatives that day was sitting down to debate a proposed $700 billion bailout of failed U.S. financial institutions, which President Bush later approved.

"Definitely there was a consensus that we as Hawaiians need to be proactive and engaged if the state is to be successful despite hard times we are now facing," said CNHA director Robin Danner, who moderated the discussion at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

One audience member brought up sustainability initiatives as key Native Hawaiian issues and advocated for Kanaka Maoli input in bringing down soaring energy costs that are adding to the nation's economic slide. "We should be incorporating more Native Hawaiian solutions when it comes to clean energy," said Rep. Mina Morita (D-Hanalei, Anahola). "Annually, we are sending $7 billion out of state to pay for energy, when we could be transitioning to solar power, setting the example for other states and, at the same time, recirculating more money inside the state," said Morita, adding that she would call for a tax in the upcoming legislative session to fund energy programs. Morita added that families would save in long run if Hawai'i becomes energy independent.

Lawmakers strongly agreed that maintaining a decent standard of living in Hawai'i is contingent on prudent land use policy. "The idea that our land mass is both precious and finite as a resource is something we must come together in recognizing, because it's the basis of our food and fuel. It's also the foundation of our Native Hawaiian cultural practices," said Sen. Russell Kokubun (D-Waikea Uka, Kalapana, Volcano, Kahuku).

Echoing comments made earlier by Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, Kokubun expressed concern that the economic downturn would trigger support for developing or selling public lands. Along with the nation's grim economic news, Kokubun said he was disturbed by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision Ð announced as the convention got underway Ð to hear a case that could open the way for the state to sell ceded lands, which are lands once held by the Hawaiian Kingdom but are now under state purview. Kokubun told the audience he would push for a 2009 bill requiring stringent legislative oversight of any public land sales.

Many of the general policy priorities promoted by CNHA related to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and OHA and how the two agencies can best collaborate on ideas including agricultural and pastoral homesteading, grant programs and joint funding.

Despite the intrusion of gloomy headlines, the roundtable discussion resounded with many upbeat comments about the enthusiastic crowd of Native Hawaiian policy advocates at the three-day convention. "There was a very positive feeling that we can bring our Hawaiian values to the table in providing solutions for problems that are not just Hawaiian issues," said Sen. J. Kalani English (D-East Maui, Lna'i, Moloka'i). "When faced with a crisis, we (as Hawaiians) have an ability of looking to our history for a road map into the future."

Original article URL: http://www.oha.org/kawaiola/2008/11/story07.php

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