North Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) — Local Hawaiians are meeting to discuss the process of reestablishing a native Hawaiian government to protect the rights of its people around the country.
It has been 121 years since the Hawaiian government was overthrown by American settlers.
At the time native Hawaiians said the nation had dozens of international treaties, including some with the United States.
Over the past two decades, efforts have been underway to make amends.
At this point that discussion involves federal recognition for a native Hawaiian government that is in the process of being reestablished.
“Work with the state, and work with the federal government, and work with the international,” Soulee Stroud, President of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs said.
Supporters of the government to government agreement, similar to that between the U.S. and Native Americans say it would help ensure continued support of the native Hawaiian population nationwide, including the large number of Hawaiians in Southern Nevada.
“In health, education and housing,” Stroud said.
Not everyone is in favor of government recognition, saying it would minimize the power of the native Hawaiians.
Some maintain that the nation should remain sovereign and reestablish an independent government that will seek to update the international treaties that were in place before the unites states occupation began.
“You might say in 1893 Hawaii was kidnapped by the United States, but is treated like it was adopted,” Dr. Keanu Sai said.
There is one positive both sides say is coming out of the discussion.
“I think what it is providing is a venue for people to start asking questions and that is good,” Sai said.
The Department of the Interior is taking written testimony on the issue until the middle of next month.
It will likely be several months after that before any movement is made on the issue.
I’m really glad Dr. Sai is in the US and hosting educational sessions to expand understanding amongst native peoples and Hawaiians in the US. And I’m also encouraged by native nations hosting discussions to bring to light what the DOI efforts are all about.
I listened to the Native America Calling radio show (link below) The panelists were OHA Trustee Rowena Akana, DOI Asst Secretary Rhea Suh, Professor Williamson Chang, Professor Kamana Beamer, and MANA’s Ke’opulaulani Reelitz. Trustee Akana getting heated about the professors’ statements and suggesting they might sue UH because of their inciting resistance against federal recognition was really interesting – and revealing.
It’s good to know how this conversation continues to be framed by supporters as this fed rec effort persists: http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/nac_past.shtml#jul
I also listened to that broadcast… I was outraged by Trustee Akana’s part of the conversation… Especially when she insulted Professor Chang and the UH research effort to set the record straight… I don’t know any of the OHA Trustees, but of the ones I have seen or heard in action, the only one that inspires my trust is Dr.Crabbe… OHA’s official position cannot possibly be within the perview of their sworn oathe to serve the needs of the native Hawaiians… ditto the HH and the HCC and yet when someone from Vegas asked if Hawaiians living on the continent would get the same benefits (like medical care) as those in the Kingdom; the HCC said yes, under the DOI fed wreck, all Hawaiians everywhere would get the same benefits… It should be a crime to purposefully mislead the Hawaiian people when your sworn work is to support us… I hope when the Kingdom if filing crimes, this one and the people doing deals with DOI are held accountable for treason, because if I am not mistaken, actively assisting the enemy against the Kingdom are treasonous acts… I pray I live long enough to see the US military removed from our land…
Wow, Akana was really a loose cannon! Thanks for the link, Luana. There must be some secret OHA history for trustee eyes only! LOL.
“main reason that Interior and Justice were here was to establish that the Hawaiian people had a political, which is important, a political relationship with the U.S. government through our treaties from the 1600’s. And that right up till today, we have over 122 federal pieces of legislation that recognize us as N/n?ative Hawaiians, although there is no document that says, ‘yes, we recognize all N/n?ative Hawaiians as the last native people to be recognized’, because that’s what we really are; they’ve recognized Native Americans, Native Alaskans…”
She must really feel the walls closing in to come onto a radio show and let herself fly off the handle like that.
The way that Akana spoke was out of line and talk about how Hawaiians should talk, she should watch herself it shows her how American she really is. Hope she voted out this time around. I feel for Dr. Crabbe sounds like he has no support from the trustees.
Mahalo Luana for that link. Wow, Anake Akana when loose um. Heh, Aunty no get nutts and just slow your roll. I have to applaud Professors Chang and Beamer for their professionalism, what a class act.
let us continue our recognition through the giant petition of 1897-1898 the
message was clear protest forever until the last Aloha Aina (Patriot) this is
the only roll we need to be on join the patriotic league