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Contact: Robert Oliveira Jr.
(808) 673-9393
righteouspromo@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Protest of OHA/Army Plan to Desecrate Kupuna Remains

Honolulu, Hawaii – There will be a protest on the sidewalk fronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), 711 Kapiolani Blvd. in Honolulu this Friday, March 5, 2010 from 6:30AM to 10:30AM.

The Army has announced that they plan to excavate “recently discovered” sacred burial complexes located in Makua Wahipana, for reasons of “safety” and to provide visitors access to the site. Apparently OHA and Hui Malama have agreed to allow the Army to do this, but the lineal descendants have not.

The protest is being led by Alika Poe Silva, leader of the lineal descendants of those buried at Makua Wahipana. Silva says of the action, “The Army wants to exterminate and obfuscate our concerns and the integrity of the Kane temples in Makua Wahipana…” The purpose of Friday’s protest is to challenge the Army’s impending action as well as protest OHA's failures to intercede and protect the integrity of the family's religious and burial complex sites.

“Mr. Namu‘o (executive director of OHA) has continued to ignore our request for ‘consultation with the army,’ and allow proper protocols to be breeched by allowing the Army to excavate without consulting with the lineal descendants. This is a serious violation of our traditions, domestic and international law.” The ‘ohana is also requesting a legal analysis and opinion from the Supreme Court of the Hawaiian Islands.

Poe Silva continues, “I see Namuo/OHA consistently condescending to such acts of violence and desecration by being silent and docile, routinely accepting failure, and using the cover of Hui Malama to carry out the hidden etho-cide from plain view.”

Alika Poe Silva is hopeful that this protest will cause a Ho'omalu – a time-out -- from the Army excavations, so that the family can have their say in the matter, and that the sacred sites and their kupuna’s bones be allowed to rest in peace and privacy.

~PLEASE KOKUA OHANA FOR WE ARE ALL OF ONE KOKO, I‘O LAKO! NANA I KA PIKO~

Written by: Alika Poe Silva

Edited by: Leon Siu

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