Posted by Donna Burns on August 30, 2009 at 4:57pm
INOUYE...get it straight...we are NOT indigeneous to the United States you idiot. It is a land grab, a take over of our homeland by outsiders (including you) and you need to behave....OR GO HOME.-----------------------------------------COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENTWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009The shaping of public policy can occur in many different ways. It can be donegently and by consensus. It can come as a result of negotiation and compromise. Itcan occur violently, amid hostile protest. As it relates to setting the course for amore hopeful policy for the benefit of Native people, of Native Hawaiians, it isimportant that we know our history.In my 30 years on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, I have been fortunate tolearn about the history of our country and its relations with the indigenous, Nativepeople of this land. It has not been, for the most part, a proud and glorious history.As a nation, we have changed course many times in the policies which governed ourdealings with Native people. We began with treaties between ourselves and theNative tribes, and then we turned to war. We made promises and then broke them.We enacted laws to recognize Native governments, and then we passed new laws toterminate those relationships.In more recent years, we have worked to restore our relationships with Nativegovernments, and have recognized the rights of our nation’s first Americans to selfdeterminationand self-governance.Similarly, Native Hawaiians have had a political and legal relationship with theUnited States for the past 183 years, as demonstrated by treaties with the UnitedStates, and more recently, by about 190 federal statutes. And, like the Native tribeswhose federally recognized status was terminated, Hawaii’s monarchy was alsoterminated and the Native Hawaiian government illegally overthrown. As such, theNative Hawaiian people never voluntarily gave up or extinguished their sovereignty.The Hawaiian protests on Statehood day dampened the commemoration of our 50thanniversary. There was a sadness, as it bruised our conscience. It made clear to methat reconciliation is long overdue.With the support of the Obama White House, Senator Akaka and I are confidentthat the Akaka bill will become law in this Congress. With its passage, agovernment-to- government relationship can, at long last, be established. Returningto Native Hawaiians their right to self-determination and self-governance, and withit, a measure of dignity and self-esteem. I am hopeful that the healing may then bemeaningful and long-lasting.As a part of this process, I encourage non-Hawaiians to step forward to supportHawaiian self-governance. There is nothing to be afraid of. While we can neverhope to repay or restore what was taken or lost, we can and we must do what wecan. For me, it is a simple moral obligation and duty.Native Hawaiians are Native Americans. Alaska Natives are Native Americans.You all have as your right, a cloak of sovereignty. Once Native Americans aredeprived of their sovereignty that will be the end of Native America. An attack onone is an attack against all. United, we must stand strong together. Divided, youwill fail.To fully effectuate this policy of Native Hawaiians taking their rightful place next totheir tribal brothers, with your permission, I would like to pursue two parallelactions. First, to add Native Hawaiians, where it makes sense, to existing Native setasides by adding additional funds to those accounts.I promised Native America when I became the Chair of the Indian AffairsCommittee that I would never take from their few resources, and give it to theHawaiians. Rather, parallel Hawaiian programs were established in some areas.By adding monies to the roads, water and community development tribal programsfor example, Hawaiians would have a place at the Native American table.Second, I want to work with you to establish new tribal set asides for Indians,Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians – in areas of renewable energy andbroadband technology, for example. Let’s work together on new opportunities forNative America, in line with the priorities of the Obama White House. This wouldbe both exciting and fulfilling.What can each of you do to positively shape Native Hawaiian policy? It is verysimple. Let us celebrate our successes, and quiet the “talk stink” chatter. Let us beproud of each other’s achievements, and not constantly pull each other down likethe a’ama crabs in the bucket. If we wallow in self-pity, it very easily becomes aself-fulfilling prophecy. Conversely, if we aloha and encourage the achievements ofour brothers and sisters, the perception of reality is much brighter and hopeful.I was on Maui last Friday for a few events. The first was to celebrate thedesignation of the Maui Supercomputer as an official resource center of theDepartment of Defense because of their outstanding performance. What began asan earmark is today a budgeted Pentagon asset. The man in charge - a NativeHawaiian. Gene Bal.The next Maui event was also to celebrate an earmark – the Joint InformationTechnology Center – becoming an official $20 million dollar program of theDepartment of Defense. The President & CEO - a Native Hawaiian. VaughnVasconcellos.A few days earlier, I was on the Big Island. I had the good fortune of attending ablessing to kick off, with economic stimulus funds, an environmental cleanup ofPelekane Bay, from mauka to makai. It is a beautiful, historic area, and the home ofthe Pu’ukōhōla Heiau, a strong symbol of the unifying force of Kamehameha theGreat. It is a Historic Site of the National Park Service. The Superintendent - aNative Hawaiian. Daniel Kawaiaea.The following day, I was so very honored and humbled by a Native Hawaiianwelcoming ceremony at the Hawaii Community College in Hilo. It is a place ofmuch promise, where culture so naturally and elegantly embraces the aspects ofacademic life, from the vocational trades, to culinary arts and the sciences. TheChancellor - a Native Hawaiian. Rockne Freitas.And, this all happened last week. I could go on and on. Nearly 100 NativeHawaiian doctors have graduated from the University of Hawaii School ofMedicine. The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers the first Doctoral degree inNative languages in our nation.A little bragging would be good. Be proud of yourselves, and be positive about theaccomplishments of Native Hawaiians. Perception drives reality, and perceivedreality drives policy.To the young leaders, you provide the hope for a brighter chapter in our nation’shistory. You carry the torch. You light the path, and make room for others. And,as the path gets bigger, the task becomes less burdensome.Stand tall – steadfast and proud.
to me...to talk about someone else's history and not your own is wrong to start with. To act in accordance with that adds insult to injury. Our way of life had its problems, but...they were our problems...and quite frankly, nobody else's opinions. When outsiders came in and made those decisions to STAY...they wove a web that we are still caught in to this day. The only way out is to see the truth, tell the truth, and live the truth.
Mahalo Judith and Pomai for your comments.
Perception drives reality? His perceptions and his realities are rooted in a federalist system that has been running rough shod on all systems of his government. His federalist system is eating itself inside out. It has been a great problem since the beginning.
Inoyue is pitiful in 2009. His speech making and over staged whistle stops are not enough anymore.
"The Hawaiian protests on Statehood day dampened the commemoration of our 50th
anniversary. There was a sadness, as it bruised our conscience." The Hawaiian Protests on Statehood Day was long over due and will continue till Hawaiian Independence is revived. The "State" of Hawaii is a FAKE STATE.
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomaiokalani
Comments
Mahalo Judith and Pomai for your comments.
Inoyue is pitiful in 2009. His speech making and over staged whistle stops are not enough anymore.
WIN Kanaka Maoli! YOU WIN!
anniversary. There was a sadness, as it bruised our conscience." The Hawaiian Protests on Statehood Day was long over due and will continue till Hawaiian Independence is revived. The "State" of Hawaii is a FAKE STATE.
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomaiokalani