Army, Native Hawaiian community signing symbolic accord tomorrow
The Army tomorrow will sign a first-of-its-kind "Native Hawaiian Covenant" with representatives from Native Hawaiian organizations in an effort to improve a sometimes contentious relationship.
The agreement will be signed at 12:30 p.m. at Fort DeRussy.
"The covenant recognizes that Hawai'i's rich cultural and historical experiences are shaped by the land and surrounding ocean," said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry, commanding general, 8th Theater Sustainment Command. "We acknowledge that the Army has the responsibility of being good stewards for the lands we maintain and that we must be mindful to protect and preserve this fragile environment for future generations."
The Army said the pledge is a symbolic accord between the Army and the Native Hawaiian community "signifying the commitment to forging a stronger relationship of cooperation, appreciation and understanding of Hawai'i's native culture and resources."
The agreement also recognizes the Army's role in Hawai'i and the soldiers who are a part of the local community.
"We firmly believe that it is possible to protect Hawai'i's precious cultural and natural environmental resources while still meeting the mission and goals of the Army," said Matthew T. Margotta, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i. "The covenant outlines our pledge to do just that."
The Army and Native Hawaiians have clashed in the past over the Army's use of Makua Valley for live-fire training and the decision to bring the Stryker Brigade here.
To strengthen mutual understanding, the Army said the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council was created to guide the Army in working with the Hawaiian community.
The Distinguished Lecture Series also was created featuring prominent Native Hawaiian guest speakers who share the history, culture and customs of Hawai'i with soldiers and their families, the Army said.
Prior to tomorrow's ceremony, members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha and Benevolent Societies will hold a traditional offering for fallen warrior ancestors.
Rev. William Kaina, the senior pastor of Kawaihao Church, will give the opening invocation, or pule.
Neil Hannahs, Kamehameha Schools and Bishop Estate land manager and a member of the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council, will be one of the guest speakers.
The ceremony will conclude with the ceremonial planting of an ulu tree representing the partnership.
"The ulu is one of the trees brought by canoe to Hawai'i by the first Hawaiians," said Annelle Amaral, Native Hawaiian liaison to the Army.
Replies
Make no mistake, I am for all veterans who have sacrificed their lives for freedom. We need to look beyond the rhetoric and see exactly what is going on in the military. Recruiting young men and women to fight in Wars, that we should not be involved in to begin with, offer hope and a better life, some do, but most former military gets lost in society once they get out of the military service. Look at what is happening now, with these ex-military people trying to assimilate into our society. They need medical help and be taken care of for life, but we don't, that is wrong.
The pollution the military has caused since their occupation of Hawaii is staggering. We know many wrongful deeds the Military has done here and around the world, they certainly don't want the public to have adverse opinions about them. Now, they want us to trust them, again? I think not. They have Wars to fight. Billions of dollars to waste that could help our economy. This is the reality of the military and its leaders.
Here you have a dog and pony show in Waikiki by signing a covenant. The Hawaiian speakers there have really lost touch of their culture. Is more concern for their personal benefit than of Kanaka Maoli's and Hawaiians at heart who understand our sacred culture.
We as Kanaka Maoli's will never sell out our land, natural resources, and its' people for personal benefit, we seek justice and peace.
I hope the public understands when we speak out against wrongful deeds that are Hewa, we bring awareness to the fore front. If we don't speak about injustice, then who will?
Malama Pono
This is not what I was looking for, but can you read and comment since you were there. What was it like? I was interested in the Iwi found at Ft. De Russey before the ADB Protest 5/2001., Sorry for the poor citation, I need to go to work:
"Lori Lucking (Lucking) says the project is an upgrade of electrical systems. Some new trenching will occur and the existing lines shall be examined. Many iwi have been found at Ft. DeRussey before." 2004
DATE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2004
TIME: 10:00 A.M.
PLACE: STATE OF HAWAI'I
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, 1151 PUNCHBOWL STREET, #132
HONOLULU, HAWAI'I 96813
8:00 &endash; 9:30 AM Closed Site Visit at Luana Hills Country Club as requested by the O`ahu Island Burial Council to gather more information on previously identified burial sites, Maunawili Valley, Kailua Ahupua`a, Ko`olaupoko District, O`ahu (TMK: 4-2-06:1, 4-2-08:1, 4-2-09:1)
ATTENDANCE:
Members:
Van Horn Diamond, Chair
Chuck Ehrhorn
Kehau Kruse
Analu Josephides
Jace McQuivey
Tom Shirai
Aaron Mahi
Kalei Kini
Absent:
Coochie Cayan
Cy Bridges
Nettie Tiffany
Staff:
Melanie Chinen, SHPD Administrator
Mary Carney, SHPS Burial Sites Program
Vince Kanemoto, Deputy Attorney General
Sara Collins, SHPD Archaeology Branch Chief
Guests:
Sally Apgar
Trina Armstrong
David Shideler
Pua Aiu
Kawika McKeague
Ka`iulani Akamine
Laurie Lucking
David Grant
Jerry Matsuda
Aki Sinoto
Moana Lee
Miles Takaki
Donna Leong
Alex Luka
Amelia Gora
Richard Paglinawan
Kealoha Kuhea
William Lawson
Momi Keana`aina
Regina Rash
Vicky Keana`aina
Luther Keana`aina
Michelle Keana`aina
Stuart Lau
Henry Noa
Mina Ellison
Thanks I just posted on Dick Algire's posting, need more I believe hopefully people will post too. Thanks for the heads up. Kaohi
The U.S. paternalism is like a father that molests his child for self-gratification and prances around like the Pope of Rome commanding obeisance, respect and obedience. "Do as I say; not what I do." rings famiiar in this scenario of sado-masochist paltry comedians who persistently carry around their Ky Jelly or vaseline for a smoother and painless (?) insertion into their being.
It's truly akin to the nebulous A-kaka Bill.
Tane
perhaps "Native Hawaiian Covenant" does sound nasty, but "Covenant" comes from the idea of a contract with God. This is fundamental to the Mosaic laws and well understood and hanai by the Hawaiians.
Do not covet the Vineyard of Naboth- This is also about covenants and that is between the people and the Aina in perpetuity....
Kai
I know what a covenant is; I was being facetious and playing with words. Hawaiians believed your word was your honor; unlike U.S. Americans and their followers. It's all a Sales and Marketing scam and making a pact with the devil.
I like you facetious comments.
many of us live by covenants and this one is between two non real entities. I still like know we the Natives are?
There is really no N[n]ative Hawaiians in the Hawaiian Kingdom, just the people of the covenant...
aloha nui
Kai
The last census done in the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1890 listed the entire population at 89,990. Here follows the breakdown by nationality:
Hawaiian nationals 48,107
Aboriginals (pure/part) 40,622
Natural born Hawaiian nationals* 7,495
* These include those foreigners who were naturalized as Hawaiian subjects and those born in the Kingdom of foreign parentage who acquired Hawaiian nationality by birth.
Portuguese 4,117
Chinese and Japanese 1,701
Other White foreigners 1,617
Other nationalities 60
Aliens 41,873
United States nationals 1,928
Chinese nationals 15,301
Japanese nationals 12,360
Portuguese nationals 8,602
British nationals 1,344
German nationals 1,034
French nationals 70
Polynesians 588
Other nationalities 60