We’ve received more than a few inquires about the ongoing ceded lands issue.What exactly are they, who owns them, who, if anyone, has the right to control or sell them, and where did they originally come from?All of this of course results from the recent Hawai`i supreme court decision preventing the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs attempt to sell some ceded lands for pennies on the dollar.Now Hawai`i state attorney general Mark Bennett is appealing all the way to the US supreme court to get that decision overturned.But here’s where it gets really interesting – twenty-nine states in the US have filed friend of the court briefs supporting Mark Bennett’s position.Why would they do that? What’s the connection, and what do they all stand to lose should the US supreme court refuse to hear the case or uphold the Hawai`i supreme court decision?Watch Free Hawai`i TV this coming Wednesday for answers.We’ll explain exactly what ceded lands are as well as why those 29 states are so interested in OHA and Mark Bennett getting their way, and what you can do that will make a difference.And if you support our issues on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network, please email this to a friend and see below how you can help us continue our work.Remember, Voices Of Truth now airs on Maui on a brand new day – Mondays at 6:30 PM on Akaku, channel 53.We’ve got three of our most popular and recent shows for you this week. Individuals who have made a difference in Hawai`i and sure to inspire you to do the same right here on Voices Of Truth Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future.MONDAY, June 16th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, June 20th At 5:30 PM –Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53“Kukulu Kumu Hana O Punalu`u – A Visit With Sheryl Waimakalani Iona”“We don’t say no, we just say come.”With those words Kukulu Kumu Hana O Punalu`u, a two week residential summer cultural immersion program for children of Ka`u district on Hawai`i island was born.Kukulu kumu hana, which means to pool one’s thoughts to solve common problems, brings children down to the beach at Punalu`u to discover who they are and their connection to the `aina.Started by the late Keola Hanoa, Sheryl Iona stepped in after her cousin’s passing. She had big shoes to fill, but for Sheryl, that was no problem at all.She tells us, “We share with them who we see they’ll become. They always end up being it, having pride in themselves, their culture and their ancestors.”Participants now come from all over the island, even foster children, to learn respect, values, commitments and to malama (care for) each other and the `aina.With the original students now acting as teachers, the circle keep growing as participants learn the cultural importance of cleaning the land, planting, and rising early each morning, chanting to greet the sun.You’ll be as moved as we were in our amazing visit with Sheryl as she shares with us the secret of her success - “We love these children no matter what and see them as they are. In the end, they always leave feeling good about themselves and their future.”MONDAY, June 16th At 6:30 PM –Maui – Akaku, Channel 53“Hale Halawai – Monument To Activists – A Visit With Soli Papakihei Niheu”People were concerned about longtime Hawaiian political activist Soli Papakihei Niheu.In poor health and living in an old one-room structure in Waimea, his friends knew he needed something better.So they decided to act. They collected contributions, both money and materials, and soon had enough resources to build him a new house.That’s when Soli stepped forward to let them know he didn’t want a house.Instead he wanted the one thing missing in Hawai`i that’s common throughout most other islands in the Pacific - a hale halawai.Similar to the Maori marae in Aotearoa, (New Zealand,) hale halawai is a formal meeting place to receive and host visitors from far and wide, through Hawaiian protocol and hospitality.Soli saw his hale halawai as a place to host sovereignty movement activists from all over Te Moana Nui – The Polynesian Triangle.Because Soli had dedicated his life to serving others, they knew they now had to do the same thing for him.So they built it for him.In our moving and highly inspirational visit with Soli, you’ll hear him tell his story and see the pictures for yourself of how his hale halawai became reality. Surviving two earthquakes and many other challenges, Soli persevered in his vision of having both a monument to his heroes, the early pioneers of the sovereignty movement, as well as a place for today to teach the young.THURSDAY, June 19th At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, June 20th At 8:30 AM –Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52SATURDAY, June 21st At 8:00 PM –O`ahu - `Olelo, Channel 53“The Health Of Our Nation – A Visit with Dr. Kawika Liu”It’s no secret the health of Hawaiians today needs to vastly improve.But what some people may still be unaware of is how it got this way.Dr. Kawika Liu, a Native Hawaiian pediatrician, sees the answers on a daily basis.Kawika knows that the health of the people is directly tied to the health of the `aina, and the `aina’s health is tied to the health of the Nation.On Molokai Dr. Liu witnesses first hand how the continued illegal U.S. occupation of Hawai`i has impacted it’s residents, including, most importantly, Hawai`i’s keiki.While that may seem far-fetched to some, Kawika talks about the direct physical effects, what caused them and how a Free Hawai`i is such a large part of the solution.Hear it firsthand from this fiercely dedicated and knowledgeable medical expert who knows, along with his moving description of what a truly healthy Hawai`i and it’s people could be like.Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.Please consider a donation today to help further our work. Every single penny counts.You may donate via PayPal at VoicesOfTruthTV.com or by mail –The Koani FoundationPO Box 1878Lihu`e, Kaua`i 96766If you missed a show, want you see your favorites again or you don’t live in Hawai`i, here’s how to view our shows anytime – visit VoicesOfTruthTV.com and simply click on the episodes you wish to view.And for news on issues that affect you, watch FreeHawaiiTV.com.It’s all part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.
Comments