Posted by Foster on August 5, 2009 at 3:02pm in Politics
Here is an article from the Sunday (August 2nd) Maui News written by Maui County Councilman, Wayne Nishiki responding to numerous criticism he received for displaying the Hawaiian Flag upside-down on his desk.
With Statehood Celebrations led by bypartisans Linda Lingle-R and Neal Abercrombie-D, I feel Wayne's article is a very timely realty-check before they celebrate the 50th Fake Statehood.
Please share in this forum what you think and WHY.
_________________________
VIEWPOINT: Upside-down flag is a reminder of all that Hawaiians have endured
By WAYNE K. NISHIKI
Recently, there have been questions about the upside-down Hawaiian flag on my desk in the Council Chambers. For those that have taken the time to ask me directly: Thank you. To those that I may have offended, I wish to humbly apologize and share some of my core beliefs relating to this issue.
Let me start by saying that I love America. In fact, like so many other Americans, I loved my country enough to leave behind family and friends to serve in the U.S. Army.
I also love and care deeply for Hawaii. It's where I was born and raised, where my children - and now my grandchildren - go to school, dance hula, pick limu, surf and explore tidepools.
An upside-down flag is the international signal of distress. I placed an upside-down Hawaiian flag on my desk in March after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a ruling by Hawaii's Supreme Court that had blocked the sale of 1.2 million acres of ceded land. I did this to show support for the Hawaii court's original ruling and to show compassion for the families of Hawaiian ancestry that have a beneficial interest in this land.
The flag reminds me that prior to Western contact in 1778, the Hawaiian race was thriving. Western contact brought devastation to the Hawaiians by way of fatal disease, loss of land and the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This was the start of what can be called the cultural genocide of the Hawaiian people. Their population declined by approximately 90 percent.
I am reminded that the suffering continues even today. Studies show that Hawaiians face numerous health problems and die at a rate higher than other ethnic groups in Hawaii due to such health problems. Specifically, Hawaiians have some of the highest statistics for substance abuse, alcohol addiction, depression, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cancer mortality.
The flag reminds me of statistics showing that people of Hawaiian ancestry are the most incarcerated race in Hawaii and that nearly half of their households experience problems with affordability, overcrowding and structural inadequacy.
It reminds me that taro farming, which relies upon cold, flowing water from streams, was a fundamental part of the Hawaiian culture. Tragically, the continued and excessive diversion of water from the streams of East Maui and Na Wai Eha is destroying the ancient tradition of taro farming. On average, a mind-boggling 163 million gallons of water per day (as much as all of Oahu consumes) is being diverted from streams on 33,000 acres of state ceded lands in East Maui and transported to Central Maui. This massive diversion of water leaves taro farmers with a mere average 3 million gallons a day. Surely our precious water can be apportioned more fairly without harming any users.
This lack of stream water has also impacted residents who exercise traditional and customary rights for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes, such as fishing, gathering limu and the taking of o'opu, hihiwai and opa'e from streams. In their diverted state, native stream life has virtually disappeared in most Maui streams, hindering the ability of residents to pass these practices on to future generations.
I am reminded of the ongoing desecration to ancient Hawaiian burial sites. For Hawaiians, like so many cultures around the world, the iwi kupuna (ancestral Native Hawaiian remains) should be treated with utmost respect. Sadly, rather than caring for and honoring the bones of our kupuna, those charged with protecting them either insist that burial sites do not exist in development areas, or allow the Hawaiian burials consisting of iwi to be excavated, removed from their resting places, and left in cardboard boxes, sometimes for years.
The upside-down Hawaiian flag reminds me that the Hawaiians relied upon the ocean and reef ecosystems for fishing, diving and subsistence. Today, they can only watch as once pristine reefs are being lost forever as wastewater from injection wells and other land-based pollutants continue to degrade nearshore waters and reefs.
It reminds me that access to beaches is being severely limited by resorts and million-dollar homes in gated communities. It reminds me that agricultural lands have been replaced by "gentlemen estates."
For those that are of Hawaiian ancestry, or were born and raised here, or have moved here and adopted our way of life, you understand my intent. The Hawaiians are a people in distress. I believe that many voted me into office trusting that I will continue to defend what is left of the Hawaiian culture.
* Wayne K. Nishiki holds the Maui County Council's South Maui residency seat.
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You are a true Kanaka Standing Tall, and I know that is true.
What I know that is not true--is the 'walk and talk' that's because it's been played before by many Hawaiian men over and over. If I can recant your tract (not that you're listening) to its outcome, can you imagine the 'jokes' going on in labs by our adversaries.
On Oahu we're getting slammed like never before 24/7. Our Na Kanaka children are the ones that are feeling the pain and suffering. As a Hawaiian activist and from my perception, we lost Jo Ann (Kauai), Albertini is cautioning, Poka wants Akaka, and Wayne loves America. We only have seven islands and that's the majority. Walter and Sol K, who they stay join? Is it Mauians? This is all too comical already.
By the way my name is Luwella Kaohilani Leonardi (Mendiola-maiden name) all you had to do is ask, I'm open to any question you have about who I am, although I feel it's irrelevant on this forum. I can be reached at phonicsworks@gmail.com, I'm open to any questions? Meeting? Stay ovahs? We have a lot of work out here anytime you want to lend a hand while you're over here on Oahu email me. Phone #'s available too, just email.
I have no hold backs as far as what I say as you are well aware off on this form, and what anyone say about me either. I listen and take their words as a past experience--something that is unconscious and suddenly it become conscious. I know you are being nice by walking away, or disregarding my worth which is typical of Hawaiian men. Glass ceiling women and white men know this behavior and use it as a trump card in the game of politics and win most of the battles. I'm too old--been there and done that for 30 plus years with Hawaiian men with their 'lolo' politics. Did you here Kalani your rep. talk about Geothermal agian! The difference is, we had time, resources, and lot's of real activist. We don't have that today. Isn't this the eve of the Akaka Act to be? Or not to be?
The Akaka bill is a stalling political tool, it opens doors for our opposition to gain more land, which in fact, they have been doing pretty good so far. I believe we are teaching our children to be good stewards and 'love America' from abroad under the white man bossy attitudes.
Write back! If not read some of the stuff on this forum. Mahalo for writing or the drama Kaohi
Ululani,
In truth I got how you feel, and yes this can be overwhelming sometimes, for me that is.
Forgive me for saying this, I need more than understanding. I need to counter both the 'nice' community that I live in and why Nishiki is playing against us. That is not like him, something is not right, this is not the Nishiki I know.
When he wrote " you understand my intent" that's the cause from 'hell' and then he wrote "The Hawaiians are a people in distress. I believe that many voted me into office trusting that I will continue to defend what is left of the Hawaiian culture." What is left? F@#$! He has never in all the years that I've known him to say 'stupid stuff' like that. Foster may, but not Wayne!
The 'distress' stuff recently came from Washington DC Aljazeeras' just before the Obama election out of Waianae thanks to Keala Kelly. There was no physical contact with the homeless, which was my concern, just tickets and car towing which have turned into benchwarrants cause of the confusion, lack of money, and just plain exhaustion The sweeps on the beaches have been pretty deadly.
Last nights meeting should give NOAA the legal jurisdiction of our shorelines, and starvation for our people. Without the ocean we have nothing left to feed our people in between charity, EBT, school breakfast/lunch. Naone M he's doing his best to reach out to real scientist, but Lorrin Pang on Maui is our only Hawaii person that can counter some of what Tad Davis is doing.
If Mauians demand international scrutiny, and international conferences with their 'Sun' pesudo scientist maybe we can couch this mess in the international arena for the future generation. But, if last nights secret meetings continue we don't have a prayer. These people have all the trimmings of 'mad scientist' like Oppenheimer Los Alamos or Jacques Cousteau that joined them during the Tahiti Nuclear test bombings.
Ululani, can you not foster stuff and use your skills to get beyond the yada yada, I'm not sure where to go from here. Mahalo Plenty Kaohi
You are angry and bitter...insulting...and write as though you know me. You don't have to agree with me, but to be so condenscending and rude...unfortunate.
Look, spare the pubic your anger-issues and stick with the subject matter. It does not help the thousands of kanaka maoli working tirelessly to save our lands, culture and lives. At times through your writings you seem like you're calm and rational...then you have moments that...well, that you are having a serious melt-down.
Sad. With so much kanaka maoli stepping up with aloha, compassion, intelligence and SINCERE ALOHA and RESPECT for humanity...here you come with your eha!
.....mina mina.
Now...with that out of the way. Tell me please, Did I offend you in the past? Am I supposed to know you? if I did offend you in some way aside from my writings that make it to the public venue...what, where, when??? You see...I have no memory of meeting a "kaohi" ..of having any kind of relationship throughout my entire life.
You seem confrontational and thrive on picking on people you really don't know. So inmature....and frankly na kanaka maoli have no time for such childish antics.
Ask
Noelani Diego-Josselin, too she's pretty good at arranging public stuff for she is in contact with Puanani Rogers and others. I strongly recommend several showings in different communities if one can afford it. The other person would be Sharon Pomroy, ask Noelani or Puanani where you can locate her in Anahola.
Kaohi
Hi Kaohi...please call me...652-1249. I would like to have your regular e-mail address as well as your phone number.
I hope you're well. I'm okay over here but been pretty overwhelmed with many issues.
Take care,
Lvu,
Nani
e-mail: kealiagirl2004@yahoo.com
Kaleo Farias > Puanani RogersAugust 6, 2009 at 12:02am
Aloha kaua e Aunty Puanani,
Could you give me a call Aunty at your earliest convenience? Wanted to see if you could help me find a place in Kaui where we could have a screening for the outstanding documentary Hawaii - A Voice for Sovereignty, which played at the Capitol in Washington D.C on July 4th and also played at the Maui Film Festival and won the Maui Film Fest Audience Award "Best Hawaii Film" to. I am helping Catheirne Bauknight, www,catherinebauknight.com, who founded, directed, and coordinated this outstanding documentary, to secure locations throughout the entire Hawaiian Archapelego, from August 21st, 2009 to the middle of September, before her Dvds will be ready to be purchased at that time.
Look forward to hearing from you! A hui ho! Malama pono! Mahalo nui to you and your Ohana!
Kaleo
One more thing, please let me know when you want me to come up to Kaui, so we can follow through with getting everyone's palapala documented and filed with the Bureau of Conveyance!!!
Nice my okole, da meeting was hidden away at Kamehameha's Center in Nanakuli not Waianae Center. Number two, no filming or recorder was allowed because Kamehameha does not allow filming in their center. Moving on, thirdly, just white guys telling the brownies 'da'ass okay you going ma'ke early' we going use white out for da pain and suffering wi'dth all us guys random/ control data collection from the Westside.
Any how, da pseuda scientist said, "if we have samples of 'what evah's' we can bring it into his UH Manoa lab and he will test it for us, after all he is getting paid by the state." kinda quote
So, I took the guy up on his offer. I asked him if he test 'plumes' ah.. ah.. ah. was his response, of course he said, 'ainokan' because I have to come and take the samples myself scientifically...I interupted (before he'e back paddle) you can come check my roof (he taught I meant on top my roof). I said, under the gable of my roof--I have a small air hole...(back paddle) you can check all the roofs in Waianae for samples of toxic contamination iincluding the car air conditons, from our chop shops (nah I nevah said da't). Lorrin Pang from Maui said, the air condition filters is wh'ea stay the contaminant evidence ( nevah said da't either)
They changed subject, some women talked about having cancer as in 'nice'. Nice was pretty much the flavor in this secret hide away meeting with Tad Davis. I told Wm Aila to make sure they register 'da robots' with the DMV. Fishermen have to register their fishing net's with DLNR, so why not! It's all nice.
As for the moral authority, they have an educational character building program for our Na Keiki in Waianae, "Remember the three 3Rs"
Recognize! when you may have encountered amunition
Retreat! Do not touch, move or disturb it, but carefully leave the area.
Report! At sea: Use Channel 16 (156.800 MHz)
On land: Call 911
Don't be tempted!
Touching these can be deadly!
And, they have pictures of fish and amunition side by side. And they even have coloring books, huge posters (Regge Colors) with happy dog with his tongue hanging out and bombs, and amunitions, rockets'
"Not every bomb looks like a bomb don't touch!"
"UXO Unexploded ordnance"
If you did not drop it, do not pick it up!
Recognize: What may be UXO
Retreat: Safely leave the area
Report: Call 911
We are so nice to our children, we (entice) teach our children about bombs on our Waianae Shores. Aren't we nice to crawl around the universe on our hands and knees begging the nice Army to continue to contaminate our bodies at Makua, so that we can accumulate more toxins and simply die of cancer. Rell Sunn-- Queen of Makaha our tourch bearer of He'e Nalu please make me understand nice! I'm having a difficult time with ha'a ha'a too--ugh!! Dammit-- men they suck sometimes. I deserve one swear word! Kaohi.
Aloha kaua e Kaohi. There are many Hawaiians who have suffer/ed from cancer and much more. Kids being exposed to this too... so TOTALLY understandable.
Replies
You are a true Kanaka Standing Tall, and I know that is true.
What I know that is not true--is the 'walk and talk' that's because it's been played before by many Hawaiian men over and over. If I can recant your tract (not that you're listening) to its outcome, can you imagine the 'jokes' going on in labs by our adversaries.
On Oahu we're getting slammed like never before 24/7. Our Na Kanaka children are the ones that are feeling the pain and suffering. As a Hawaiian activist and from my perception, we lost Jo Ann (Kauai), Albertini is cautioning, Poka wants Akaka, and Wayne loves America. We only have seven islands and that's the majority. Walter and Sol K, who they stay join? Is it Mauians? This is all too comical already.
By the way my name is Luwella Kaohilani Leonardi (Mendiola-maiden name) all you had to do is ask, I'm open to any question you have about who I am, although I feel it's irrelevant on this forum. I can be reached at phonicsworks@gmail.com, I'm open to any questions? Meeting? Stay ovahs? We have a lot of work out here anytime you want to lend a hand while you're over here on Oahu email me. Phone #'s available too, just email.
I have no hold backs as far as what I say as you are well aware off on this form, and what anyone say about me either. I listen and take their words as a past experience--something that is unconscious and suddenly it become conscious. I know you are being nice by walking away, or disregarding my worth which is typical of Hawaiian men. Glass ceiling women and white men know this behavior and use it as a trump card in the game of politics and win most of the battles. I'm too old--been there and done that for 30 plus years with Hawaiian men with their 'lolo' politics. Did you here Kalani your rep. talk about Geothermal agian! The difference is, we had time, resources, and lot's of real activist. We don't have that today. Isn't this the eve of the Akaka Act to be? Or not to be?
The Akaka bill is a stalling political tool, it opens doors for our opposition to gain more land, which in fact, they have been doing pretty good so far. I believe we are teaching our children to be good stewards and 'love America' from abroad under the white man bossy attitudes.
Write back! If not read some of the stuff on this forum. Mahalo for writing or the drama Kaohi
In truth I got how you feel, and yes this can be overwhelming sometimes, for me that is.
Forgive me for saying this, I need more than understanding. I need to counter both the 'nice' community that I live in and why Nishiki is playing against us. That is not like him, something is not right, this is not the Nishiki I know.
When he wrote " you understand my intent" that's the cause from 'hell' and then he wrote "The Hawaiians are a people in distress. I believe that many voted me into office trusting that I will continue to defend what is left of the Hawaiian culture." What is left? F@#$! He has never in all the years that I've known him to say 'stupid stuff' like that. Foster may, but not Wayne!
The 'distress' stuff recently came from Washington DC Aljazeeras' just before the Obama election out of Waianae thanks to Keala Kelly. There was no physical contact with the homeless, which was my concern, just tickets and car towing which have turned into benchwarrants cause of the confusion, lack of money, and just plain exhaustion The sweeps on the beaches have been pretty deadly.
Last nights meeting should give NOAA the legal jurisdiction of our shorelines, and starvation for our people. Without the ocean we have nothing left to feed our people in between charity, EBT, school breakfast/lunch. Naone M he's doing his best to reach out to real scientist, but Lorrin Pang on Maui is our only Hawaii person that can counter some of what Tad Davis is doing.
If Mauians demand international scrutiny, and international conferences with their 'Sun' pesudo scientist maybe we can couch this mess in the international arena for the future generation. But, if last nights secret meetings continue we don't have a prayer. These people have all the trimmings of 'mad scientist' like Oppenheimer Los Alamos or Jacques Cousteau that joined them during the Tahiti Nuclear test bombings.
Ululani, can you not foster stuff and use your skills to get beyond the yada yada, I'm not sure where to go from here. Mahalo Plenty Kaohi
You are angry and bitter...insulting...and write as though you know me. You don't have to agree with me, but to be so condenscending and rude...unfortunate.
Look, spare the pubic your anger-issues and stick with the subject matter. It does not help the thousands of kanaka maoli working tirelessly to save our lands, culture and lives. At times through your writings you seem like you're calm and rational...then you have moments that...well, that you are having a serious melt-down.
Sad. With so much kanaka maoli stepping up with aloha, compassion, intelligence and SINCERE ALOHA and RESPECT for humanity...here you come with your eha!
.....mina mina.
Now...with that out of the way. Tell me please, Did I offend you in the past? Am I supposed to know you? if I did offend you in some way aside from my writings that make it to the public venue...what, where, when??? You see...I have no memory of meeting a "kaohi" ..of having any kind of relationship throughout my entire life.
You seem confrontational and thrive on picking on people you really don't know. So inmature....and frankly na kanaka maoli have no time for such childish antics.
I leave you with this.... aloha
Foster
Ask
Noelani Diego-Josselin, too she's pretty good at arranging public stuff for she is in contact with Puanani Rogers and others. I strongly recommend several showings in different communities if one can afford it. The other person would be Sharon Pomroy, ask Noelani or Puanani where you can locate her in Anahola.
Kaohi
I hope you're well. I'm okay over here but been pretty overwhelmed with many issues.
Take care,
Lvu,
Nani
e-mail: kealiagirl2004@yahoo.com
Could you give me a call Aunty at your earliest convenience? Wanted to see if you could help me find a place in Kaui where we could have a screening for the outstanding documentary Hawaii - A Voice for Sovereignty, which played at the Capitol in Washington D.C on July 4th and also played at the Maui Film Festival and won the Maui Film Fest Audience Award "Best Hawaii Film" to. I am helping Catheirne Bauknight, www,catherinebauknight.com, who founded, directed, and coordinated this outstanding documentary, to secure locations throughout the entire Hawaiian Archapelego, from August 21st, 2009 to the middle of September, before her Dvds will be ready to be purchased at that time.
Look forward to hearing from you! A hui ho! Malama pono! Mahalo nui to you and your Ohana!
Kaleo
One more thing, please let me know when you want me to come up to Kaui, so we can follow through with getting everyone's palapala documented and filed with the Bureau of Conveyance!!!
Stella Burgess at the Grand Hyatt Poipu may be able to help. I trust her and she "gets it." Mahalo for supporting the film!
Nae'ole
Any how, da pseuda scientist said, "if we have samples of 'what evah's' we can bring it into his UH Manoa lab and he will test it for us, after all he is getting paid by the state." kinda quote
So, I took the guy up on his offer. I asked him if he test 'plumes' ah.. ah.. ah. was his response, of course he said, 'ainokan' because I have to come and take the samples myself scientifically...I interupted (before he'e back paddle) you can come check my roof (he taught I meant on top my roof). I said, under the gable of my roof--I have a small air hole...(back paddle) you can check all the roofs in Waianae for samples of toxic contamination iincluding the car air conditons, from our chop shops (nah I nevah said da't). Lorrin Pang from Maui said, the air condition filters is wh'ea stay the contaminant evidence ( nevah said da't either)
They changed subject, some women talked about having cancer as in 'nice'. Nice was pretty much the flavor in this secret hide away meeting with Tad Davis. I told Wm Aila to make sure they register 'da robots' with the DMV. Fishermen have to register their fishing net's with DLNR, so why not! It's all nice.
As for the moral authority, they have an educational character building program for our Na Keiki in Waianae, "Remember the three 3Rs"
Recognize! when you may have encountered amunition
Retreat! Do not touch, move or disturb it, but carefully leave the area.
Report! At sea: Use Channel 16 (156.800 MHz)
On land: Call 911
Don't be tempted!
Touching these can be deadly!
And, they have pictures of fish and amunition side by side. And they even have coloring books, huge posters (Regge Colors) with happy dog with his tongue hanging out and bombs, and amunitions, rockets'
"Not every bomb looks like a bomb don't touch!"
"UXO Unexploded ordnance"
If you did not drop it, do not pick it up!
Recognize: What may be UXO
Retreat: Safely leave the area
Report: Call 911
We are so nice to our children, we (entice) teach our children about bombs on our Waianae Shores. Aren't we nice to crawl around the universe on our hands and knees begging the nice Army to continue to contaminate our bodies at Makua, so that we can accumulate more toxins and simply die of cancer. Rell Sunn-- Queen of Makaha our tourch bearer of He'e Nalu please make me understand nice! I'm having a difficult time with ha'a ha'a too--ugh!! Dammit-- men they suck sometimes. I deserve one swear word! Kaohi.
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