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OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS WAIMEA VALLEY MISMANAGEMENT EXPOSED

Posted by Free Hawai`i on October 23, 2008 at 6:44pm
Honolulu Advertiser - October 19, 2008In the months since the Office of Hawaiian Affairs took control of Waimea Valley, the agency's management of the historic area has come under scrutiny and sparked debate about whether it was a positive step....Opponents say OHA is losing money and making poor management decisions, and believe the agency is trying to turn Waimea Valley into a popular visitor attraction like the Polynesian Cultural Center at the expense of cultural and natural resources....Jaime Raduenzel, who quit her post as program manager in mid-August, said in an e-mail to OHA Trustee Rowena Akana that management of the valley has been incompetent and that managers have been more concerned with "how to best entertain the tourists by having some smiling Hawaiians on display."Read More Here
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Stop Kahana Valley evictions // Sign-holding Thursday 4:30 in Kahana, DLNR Friday 9 am

Posted by Ikaika Hussey on October 22, 2008 at 11:27pm
STOP THE KAHANA VALLEY EVICTIONS • KEEP HAWAIIANS ON THEIR LAND Thursday October 22, 4:30-6:00 pm Sign-waving in Kahana Friday October 23, 9:00 am Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting (VERY IMPORTANT) Kalanimoku Building, corner of Punchbowl and Beretania. Parking garage entrance on Punchbowl, across from state capitol. Please come to stand with the families as they push to have the evictions forestalled. Please support six Kahana Valley ohana who will be evicted on Monday morning by the DLNR. These families have lived in the valley for generations, but have been unable to obtain leases from the State of Hawaii because of a poorly-written 1987 law which prevents the state from issuing new leases. This is in spite of the fact that these families have lived on the land for generations, since Lili'uokalani's mother was the ahupua'a's konohiki. The evictions are cruel and unjust, and demonstrate that the Lingle administration and the DLNR are willing to make legal exceptions for major players like the Superferry, but will be inflexible for Hawaiian families. According to Annagen Kahala, one of the community's leaders: "We have tried to work with the state... they have put us through loops and we are now being evicted for their mistakes." These families will join the ranks of the houseless if they are evicted. In times of economic struggle for all people, why would the state destroy homes and knowingly put these families at risk? Please join us for signwaving Thursday afternoon in Kahana, and to stand in solidarity with the families at the Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday morning at 9 am. This is an urgent request. Evictions are scheduled for Monday morning. Please kokua. ---------- This message is being circulated by Movement for Aloha No ka Aina: The Independence Party (MANA), a new organization that is building grassroots power for independence, demilitarization, and human rights. More info at www.manainfo.com.
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Alert! Stop the Land Give-Away on Mauna Kea's Sacred Summit‏

Posted by Pono Kealoha on October 22, 2008 at 7:49pm
Alert! Stop the Land Give-Away on Mauna Kea's Sacred Summit‏

Aloha e Pono,

The Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve protects a unique and threatened mountainous desert habitat and Hawaii's only alpine lake, Lake Waiau. The reserve includes the largest adze quarrry in the Pacific, ancient and modern burials, and Queen Emma's shrine. These are public trust lands--Hawaiian lands held by the state in public trust for the people of Hawaii.

With only 5 days notice to the public, the Land Board has announced they will consider giving away authority to manage Mauna Kea's Ice Age Natural Area Reserve to the primary developer of the mountain--the University of Hawaii. They will make their decision this Friday.

Why is this bad?

  • The University has long-standing financial interest in developing the mountain, and benefits financially from the construction and lease of telescopes on Mauna Kea.
  • The University has long sought more direct control over the mountain. In centralizing oversight under the UH umbrella, they want to avoid outside accountability, and making future developments easier to push through.
  • The reserve lies directly adjacent to the University's telescope developments. The reserve was created and removed from the University's control in 1981 because of its significant resources.
  • The University has a dismal record of overseeing its own activities on Mauna Kea. A 2005 EIS confirmed that the impacts of telescope developments on the cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea have been "substantial, adverse and significant."

What "Yes" means:
If the Land Board votes yes on this proposal, the University of Hawaii's Office of Mauna Kea Management (UH OMKM) could be given authority to oversee activities at the sacred and ecologically significant Ice Age Natural Area Reserve on Mauna Kea through an agreement signed by the Land Board Chairperson. The terms of the agreement would be made without any requirement for public notice, public hearing, or public consent.

What the law says:
The law clearly says that the Land Board is the public trustee of these lands and many not give away its duty to manage, protect and conserve the lands of Mauna Kea on behalf of the Native Hawaiians and the general public. Not to UH, and not to anyone else.

Tell the Land Board to follow the law, and protect our public trust Natural Area Reserve! Click here to send your letter!

Five Days Notice?
A mere five days public notice is not enough--there can be no true public consultation, community hearings, or public consent to this massive land giveaway in five days! Which makes us wonder: what's the rush?

What's Really Going On?
Today, a new billion-dollar, football stadium-sized telescope is being proposed for the summit--the Thirty Meter Telescope, or TMT. The University is seeking more control--and fast--to allow this four-acre development to move forward as scheduled.

In addition to seeking control of the Ice Age Natural Area Reserve adjacent to the telescopes, UH is seeking new legislation giving them rulemaking authority over the entire summit area.

As it stands, a 2007 state court ruling says the Land Board must prepare and approve a comprehensive management plan to protect Mauna Kea's cultural sites and natural habitats before allowing any more bulldozers. The intent is to allow time and a honest process for charting a future for the sacred summit of Mauna Kea.

Instead, eager to move forward with the TMT, UH is writing one for themselves. In fact, UH has written a whole series of false "management plans" over the past 20 years and set up a hand-picked advisory board they call the "Office of Mauna Kea Management" (OMKM). The 3rd Circuit Court invalidated these previous UH "management plans." But UH is not taking "no" for an answer.

Today, UH is pressuring the Land Board to approve its latest false "management plan"-- to clear the way for the gigantic Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) complex the last undeveloped plateau of Mauna Kea's summit area.

Public Trust Resources for Public, not Private, Benefit
It is the job of the Land Board to protect, conserve and properly manage the public trust lands in the interest of the public and the Native Hawaiians. This means "conservation over development" is bound in their public duty. They are to be independent public servants, serving the public trust resources which are entrusted to them, for the public interest. Board members cannot have an interest--financial or other--in any decision before them.

The University has no such mandate. The University has deeply entrenched financial interests in the continued development of Mauna Kea. The public trust lands of Mauna Kea are being rented for only $1 a year--far less than the fair market value required by law. Under this sweetheart deal, the University takes the public's lands and resources and offers them to some of the riches countries on earth. But the Public's resources are not the UH to give away or sale for their profit and gain.

"[UH] focused primarily on the development of Mauna Kea and tied the benefits gained to its research program... at the expense of neglecting the site's natural resources." - State Auditor's Report

Can't Win in Court? Try Change the Law in Your Favor--Or Ignore the Law Altogether
In 1968, the people of Hawaii agreed to allow one telescope to be built atop Mauna Kea. Today, more than 50 telescope and support structures cover the sacred summit--built without the consent of Native Hawaiians and local communities. For 30 years, local leaders and organizations have united to defend the once-pristine resources of Mauna Kea's sacred summit from the harms of uncontrolled telescope expansion. They have successfully upheld the law and stopped several illegal and aggressive UH plans for expanded telescope construction.

The people won and the Land Board and the University lost mulitple times in court. The court has affirmed the Land Board's duty to protect Mauna Kea. Now, UH is seeking to change the rules to give themselves more direct control of Mauna Kea. The University seeks to create a new bureaucracy under the UH system with authority to "manage" the public trust resources of Mauna Kea, despite their already dismal record.

Conflicts of Interest Result in Poor Oversight and Irreparable Harm
- The Hawai'i State Auditor found UH's program of self-oversight "inadequate to ensure the protection of natural resources" and "neglected ...the cultural value of Mauna Kea."
- The Auditor's report stated the University "focused primarily on the development of Mauna Kea and tied the benefits gained to its research program," and that its focus on telescope construction has been "at the expense of neglecting the site's natural resources."
- A 2005 NASA environmental impact statement (EIS) confirmed that the cumulative impacts of the telescope industry on the cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea have been "substantial, adverse and significant."

30 years of University control has endangered and desecrated of one of Hawaii's most precious and sacred places. Enough is enough! Mauna Kea needs accountable decision-makers and legitimate management.

Public trust resources must be managed by the public agency charged with their care--not to those who have a vested financial interest in more bulldozing.

Click here to tell the BLNR to follow the law and uphold their duty to protect and conserve Mauna Kea. Vote this co-management agreement down!

Enough is enough! Amazing things can happen when people get together and make their voice heard! Mahalo piha for the time and care you give to protecting Hawaii's most sacred and endangered places.

Malama pono,
Us Guys at KAHEA

----------------------

KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance
www.kahea.org
blog.kahea.org
toll free phone/fax 1-888-528-6288

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Hawaiian Journal ‘Oiwi Finally Released

Posted by Keahi on October 22, 2008 at 7:30pm
Aloha Kakou,This was the first article I ever wrote in my career at UH Manoa’s KaLeo newspaper. I just felt it was really important to write about something positive for Hawaiians plus, I really admire the journal staff,& what they are doing for Hawaiian writers, artists, & students, especially the efforts of my Kumu Ku’ualoha Ho’omanawanui. The ‘Oiwi journal staff are still accepting submissions for 2009’s Volume #4, more info on that below. I encourage all of you to share & submit your stuff.It’s ALWAYS important to know your source of information so here are mine:The information for my article came from various press releases Kumu Ku’ualoha gave me at the time, as well as in-class discussion & study of Volume 1 & 2 of the journal when I was in Hawaiian Studies, Hawaiian Language, or English classes at UHM, especially Ku’ualoha’s ENG100 (seriously take her class if you can, I could have been in an Honors English class, but instead I took Ku’ualoha’s one and I am very happy w/that decision^^). I also went to Kumu’s office to talk story a lot & at Kaimuki High School Kaleo Akim, my Hawaiian language told us about the journal. Kaleo, also helps to edit the journal.My submission info came from an e-mail sent to me by the ‘Oiwi Journal staff on September 21st. The poem & artwork I submitted had been selected to be in Volume #4. That’s why I say, “If I can do it, so can you!”. So, submit your story, experience, poem, art, etc, anything already! ^^)Some Contact Info:Ku'ualoha Ho'omanawanui, editor'Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journalp.o. box 61218Honolulu, HI 96839-1213ph: (808) 956-3031fax: (808) 956-3083e-mail: oiwi@hawaii.eduweb: www.hawaii.edu/oiwiMahalo Nui for reading,Keahi Lee^^)Written By: Keahi Lee, KaLeo Contributing WriterIssue Date: 2/25/2005.Section: FeaturesLink to online article: http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2005/02/25/Features/Hawaiian.Journal.oiwi.Finally.Released-2798451.shtmlThe much-anticipated third volume of the "'Oiwi native Hawaiian Journal" will be released tomorrow. The latest volume of the 'Oiwi series is titled "Huliau," which means "time of change" and focuses on Hawaiian education."Huliau" reflects many of Hawaii's changes in the past three years, including the progress of Hawaiian education, the turning of Hawaiian seasons, and growth within the 'Oiwi staff.Mahealani Dudoit, a former Ph.D. candidate in English at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, founded the "'Oiwi Native Hawaiian Journal" in 1997. As an award-winning Native Hawaiian writer, Dudoit wanted to give other Hawaiian artists and writers a venue and to create a body of contemporary Hawaiian literature.'Oiwi became the first of its kind, the only journal to be staffed and written by Hawaiians; most of who were UH students and alumni. Dudoit believed in the Hawaiian ideal of "kuleana," which means both "privilege" and "responsibility." She believed that as the privileged 'Oiwi, "native people," of the islands, we have a responsibility to share our gifts. She even named the journal's printing press, "Kuleana 'Oiwi Press."Another goal of hers was to preserve ancient Hawaiian genealogy through the words of today's writers. Dudoit saw 'Oiwi through the publishing of its first volume and most of the second. The first volume was called "He Oia Mau No Kakou," "we go on," referring to the writing of today preserving the Hawaiian culture for the people of tomorrow. The second volume was called, "Kunihi Ka Mauna," "steep stands the mountain," referring to the ancient Hawaiian chant that tells of the mountains of obstacles Hi'iaka faced on her journey to fetch Chief Lohi'au, her sister Pele's lover.Unfortunately, just days before the release of the Oiwi's second volume, Dudoit passed away. While 'Oiwi had accomplished the goal of creating a body of contemporary Hawaiian literature by giving local writers a venue, the sudden loss of Dudoit left the 'Oiwi staff and the native Hawaiian writing community at another huge obstacle in their journey, much like Hi'iaka upon her arrival at the river mouth of Kauai's Waialua River.While Dudoit would have wanted the journal to survive her absence, changes needed to be made. It took about three years before "Huliau" was completed; this volume reflects many of the changes that took place in Hawai'i.Hawaiian education has progressed with the emergence of Hawaiian language immerssion schools, culturally centered Hawaiian Charter Schools, and the popularity of Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies courses at universities. These positive developments are part of the reason "Huliau" focused on Hawaiian education."Huliau" features poems, stories and personal essays by leading Hawaiian educators such as Manu Aluli Meyer, Ku Kahakalau and David Kekaulike Sing.Another change that inspired the theme of "Huliau" was Dudoit's passing. Her memory and spirit is honored throughout the book with poems, chants and stories. Dudoit inspired the book's motif with celestial and astronomical images, such as the full moon, which appears during the season of Makahiki. While there are a couple of new features in the third volume, some old favorites have returned.Volume 2 featured a list called "Notable Hawaiians of the 20th century," while volume 3 features "Notable Hawaiian Profiles," which honors the contribution of educators to various fields such as Mary Kawena Pukui for her knowledge of Native Hawaiian language and culture.Another returning favorite is the public testimony by Native Hawaiians on community issues. Volume 3's testimonies are about the ongoing struggle to preserve and protect Mauna Kea. As always, the 'Oiwi journal features artwork by Hawaiian visual artists such as Kamaka Kanekoa, who designed the cover of "Huliau."It has taken the "'Oiwi Native Hawaiian Journal" a while to become what it is today, and the third volume beautifully reflects the trials, tribulations and changes of writing, art, politics and education in Hawai'i. Chief editor Ku'ualoha Ho'omanawanui has stepped up to maintain Dudoit's original vision for the 'Oiwi journal by starting an officially recognized 'Oiwi club at the UH Manoa campus. With every new 'Oiwi journal, the Native Hawaiian authors and artists make great strides in literature and visual arts."Huliau" is no exception. So, even though it took three years to be born, "Huliau" is a change well worth the wait.THIS IS AN E-MAIL I RECEIVED FROM THE 'OIWI JOURNAL STAFF ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2008 ABOUT 2009's VOLUME #4:aloha kakou,If you are receiving this e-mail, it is because we have a submission on file for you for volume 4 of 'Oiwi. We are in the process of going through all of our submissions, and making sure we have current contact information (email, phone, mailing address) for everyone.Over the next few weeks, we will be contacting everyone to let you know the status of your submission.The theme for vol. 4 is "Kupa'a Makou ma hope o ka 'Aina (We Stand Firm behind the Land)." We are anticipating a release of this issue mid-2009.Our feature for this issue focuses on Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) voices on statehood, and Senate Bill 958 Supporting a Moritorium on GMO testing of Kalo, 2008 Legislative Session.If you have any questions, would like more information, or would just like to talk story, you can reach us via e-mail (easiest) or phone.malama pono iho no,ku'ualoha ho'omanawanui, editor
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Kokua Needed - To help cultural practitioners on Mauna Kea

Posted by ku ching on October 22, 2008 at 1:52pm
Hi All,Send your responses to - adaline.f.cummings@hawaii.govThanks.ku________To: Department of Land and Natural ResourcesAttn: Board MembersSubject: Authorization for the Chair to Negotiate and Sign aCooperative Agreement with the Office of Mauna Kea Management,University of Hawaii at Hilo, for Cooperative Management of Mauna KeaIce Age Natural Area Reserve, HawaiiMeeting Date: Friday, October 24, 2008Chair and Members,This communication is in opposition to the above-entitled proposal.First of all - the Office of Mauna Kea Management - relative toanything "official" on the so-called "ceded" lands of Mauna Kea is asub-agency of the Hawaii state Board of Land and Natural Resource'sLessee (University of Hawaii) of the Science Reserve - and nothingmore. It is a product of the University of Hawaii's 2000 Plan - thathas significance, if at all, only in the University of Hawaii system.It is a non-entity relative to the general lease of the ScienceReserve to the university - as the 2000 plan is NOT an approved(relative to BLNR) plan on Mauna Kea.While the so-called "ceded" lands subject to this action is part ofthe Ice Age Natural Area Reserve ("Reserve") - it is more or less amisnomer. The so-called Adze Quarry is a major part of the Reserveand it IS NOT Natural.The so-called Adze Quarry is a very important cultural landmark onMauna Kea - that is considered to be very sacred to Kanaka Maolicultural practitioners. It plays an important role in the dynamicevolution of past and present Kanaka Maoli culture.I am a Kanaka Maoli cultural practitioner on Mauna Kea. I am also aKanaka Maoli religious practitioner on Mauna Kea.Secondly, while the so-called state of Hawaii is the "trustee" of theso-called "ceded" lands - the real owner of the mountain - and theentire "state" - is the Hawaiian Kingdom and/or its subjects - priorand present.The Supreme Court of the state of Hawaii opines (in a February 2008finding) that the 1993 Apology Resolution of the congress of the u.s.,igned by then president Clinton ("Apology Resolution") is therecognized law in the state of Hawaii.The Apology Resolution states, among other things:Whereas, the Republic of Hawaii also ceded 1,800,000 acres of crown,government and public lands of the Kingdom of Hawaii, without theconsent of or compensation to the Native Hawaiian people of Hawaii or>their sovereign government;* * *Whereas, the indigenous Hawaiian people never directly relinquishedtheir claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over theirnational lands to the United States, either through their monarchy orthrough a plebiscite or referendum;"My intervention in this action is based on my claim, as a Kanaka Maolisubject, to these so-called "ceded" lands.Additionally, the proposed action seeks to begin the final step tocomplete the "U.H.-ilization" of the mauka lands of Mauna Kea.As it is public knowledge that the University of Hawaii continues toseek a high degree of "autonomy" in its operations and land occupation- the completion of the "U.H.-ilization" of Mauna Kea may be an issueright out of Pandora's box.While you (BLNR) and the U.H. doesn't and cannot dictate my culturaland religious practices on Mauna Kea - or anywhere else - there may bean inherent belief (by non-believers) that I may not be credible in mybeliefs. However, I'm sure that any and every court in Hawaii willnot be in disagreement with my views.As part of its "Astronomy" general lease of the Science Reseve - theU.H. has NOT been an adequate and/or responsible steward and Lessor ofMauna Kea. See State Auditor's Report and Recommendations AND yourown records of fines and other rebukes and recommendations that havebeen levied on the U.H.To even contemplate the activity proposed here - is ludicrous. Onecannot find a better example of allowing the fox to take charge of thechicken house than in this Mauna Kea situation.An important question is: Who will pay the bill to implement thisCooperative Managment Agreement? Is it the U.H. or BLNR?While BLNR continues to complain of a shortage of financial resourcesto manage and administer Mauna Kea - and the remainder of theso-called "ceded" lands, its insistence on NOT charging fair rents(for astronomy activities), as required by HRS 171, is ridiculous.On the other hand, DLNR has its own rangers and other personnel thatshould be managing and administering activities on Mauna Kea - and, iffair market rents have/had been collected - there would be ample fundsfor the proper administration and management of Mauna Kea.Additionally, you may be in violation of the requirements of the PASHand other cases - as you are charged to advocate and defend Hawaiiancultural practices on Mauna Kea and other lands. To do so - it seems- you ought to be consulting with, among others, the cultural andreligious practitioners of Mauna Kea. You surely haven't attempted todo so with me.Because of the cultural and religious importance of this proposed action, I would recommend that it be the subject of a public hearing. In that way, you will be able to get a quick "public" response to this ill-conceived proposal.However, to turn over any "management" responsibilities of Mauna Keato the "fox" will surely not meet with your (as passed down from thestate as trustee) statutory responsibilities. Let me remind you thatthe breach of your statutory fiduciary and other responsibilities isvery serious business - and can incur administerial AND personalliabilities.So, please take heed and refrain from upsetting the balance on themountain. You are legally charged with administering and managing allactivities on Mauna Kea. To do otherwise puts yourselves in legaljeopardy.Thank you for your attention.Kukauakahi/Clarence ChingCultural and Religious Practitioner on Mauna Kea
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FREE HAWAI`I TV - KAU INOA EXPOSED

Posted by Free Hawai`i on October 21, 2008 at 7:25pm
FREEHAWAII.INFO PRESENTSFREE HAWAI`I TVTHE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK "Kau Inoa Exposed" Will Kau Inoa Be Used To Support The Akaka Bill?How Do They Get Signatures? Who Has Access To The Database?Here's The Answers. But Be Prepared - It Isn't Pretty.

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Mauna Kea Telescope -- The perfect spot or not?

Posted by Pono Kealoha on October 21, 2008 at 1:46pm
Mauna Kea Telescope -- The perfect spot or not?The perfect spot - or not? -- Residents speak for, against building giant telescope atop Mauna KeaBy Hadley Catalano, Big Island WeeklyThursday, October 16, 2008http://www. bigislandweekly. com/articles/2008/10/16/read/news/news01. txtThe summit of Mauna Kea has been selected as one of two preferred sites to house a $1 billion Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), one of the most advanced telescopes ever built.Selection was based on four years of research of five possible locations by developer TMT Observatory Corp., a nonprofit organization consisting of the University of California, California Institute of Technology and the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy.While the second site at Cerro Armazones, a mountain in the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile, is also under review, the developer, in conjunction with proposing agency University of Hawai..i-Hilo, has begun the first stage of the Mauna Kea project by holding public scoping meetings around the island as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) preparation notice and environmental assessment. (Separate meetings will be held in the near future for the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan [CMP].)"We are trying to make it as easy as we can for the public to provide comment and possible mitigation for this project," explained Sandra Dawson, EIS manager and site master planner. "We are committed to working with the Hawaiian community and to a new paradigm of development in Hawai..i that is founded on integrating culture, science, sustainability and education on the project."Dawson explained that an EIS is mandatory for a project on state land with a potential for environmental effects. The $1 billion telescope would be funded by private organizations, prepared in accord with State of Hawai..i Chapter 343 requirements and follow the state historic preservation process."We are committed to doing things the pono way," Dawson said. "We are seeking out anything that we might be able to do to lessen the impact. We want to honor the mountain and the culture. We want to be good neighbors. We are really looking for ideas. For instance, there are 36 acres for the TMT but we don't need 36 acres. Where should it be located? Where is the best place? With this project, we are investing in the community and in the education on this island."The site currently staked out for the telescope is referred to as Area E in the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan. It is 500 feet below the summit on the "northern plateau" within the western portion, with an elevation range from 13,100 to 13,300 feet. Area E is located half a mile northwest of the nine existing optical/infrared telescopes at the summit. The entire area is designated as part of the State of Hawai..i Conservation District resource subzone.The telescope proposed for Mauna Kea would be the most capable astronomical observatory in the world, according to the TMT Corp. The primary mirror, comprised of 492 mirrors, is the "eye" of the telescope. It would be 30 meters in diameter. The secondary mirror would sit above the first and direct the light to the tertiary mirror that sits in the middle of the primary and direct light from distant stars into different instruments for analysis. When the telescope is completed in the latter part of the next decade, it will enable scientists to study the universe with unprecedented clarity, helping to answer complex and compelling astronomical questions, according to Anneila Sargent, professor of astronomy at Caltech."Mauna Kea is a special place, and through astronomy, which is a voyage of discovery, it has the ability to bring people into physical science," she said. She told a crowd of about 20 at Kealakehe Elementary School last Thursday that the telescope will have the ability to collect nine times more light than the largest telescopes today and will produce images 10 times sharper than current space telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope and surpass even the two 10-meter Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea."It will have a sophisticated adaptive optics system that corrects for the blurring of the earth's atmosphere and allow the telescope to make exquisite images of the sky," she said. "It will have a suite of powerful instruments that enable astrophysical investigation of objects throughout the universe. It will have the sensitivity and spatial resolution to revolutionize the study of planets orbiting other stars. It will be able to take direct images of extrasolar planets and analyze the composition of ESP atmospheres."Following the procedural and scientific explanations of the TMT, the meeting's facilitators, David Tarnas and David Ka..apu, opened the meeting up for public comment.Previously, residents had the opportunity to ask questions and read informational boards pertaining to the potential significant impacts and possible mitigation measures. TMT offered possible mitigation as siting the project in Area E due to lesser environmental impacts; 200 feet from any historical or cultural resources; siting the project away from cinder cones and pu..us, known to be Wekiu bug habitat; and habitat preservation and restoration.A handful of residents spoke at the third meeting in Kona, echoing similar sentiments of residents attending the previous Hawi and Waimea meetings. Questions were raised regarding being culturally sensitive to Mauna Kea, the influence of any military applications and the use and removal of waste and wastewater."People also have been giving us positive feedback, such as the economic and educational impact," said Dawson, who stressed there is no military involvement with the TMT project.Richard Ha, a tomato and banana farmer from Pepeekeo, said he attended the meeting to represent himself and his workers. He thought the TMT would be a positive educational influence as well as provide better jobs."Banana farming doesn't make a lot of money," he said. "The TMT will give my workers' children opportunities."Marni Herkes also spoke in favor of the telescope, noting that she supports the science community as part of the Hawai..i Island community."It's important to have this kind of science and these kinds of scientists to increase the intellectual atmosphere for our community," she said.However, Herkes noted that the university needs "better planning and no more mismanaging," and that the Hilo school needs to " clean up the old observatories."Others who spoke during the evening were primarily in favor of the cutting-edge science and educational opportunities that the TMT would provide the community. Jim Monk noted that the state shouldn't blink at a billion-dollar project, as it will bring "jobs, people and long-term scientific impact."A number of people mentioned concerns such as the effect on the mountain's ecosystem caused by undue stress, the mishandling of the summit by the UH system and the poor return on the state's investment. Others questioned the cultural and traditional practices and significance of Mauna Kea and the possible effects the telescope's construction may cause.Clarence "Ku" Kauakahi mentioned his ambivalence about the outward appearance of the telescope, saying the dome would be much larger than the domes currently on the summit and would create an eyesore from his home in Waimea.Kauakahi said he feels that UH Hilo's $1-a-year rent is outlandish and it is not unfair to ask the telescope project "to figure out a fair market value and pay for it," and that Hawai..i should gain from the revenue generated by the project.The EIS is an ongoing process. Following the six scoping meetings that will take place on Hawai..i Island and a seventh on O..ahu, the information, comments and questions will be evaluated and answered in the Draft EIS to be published next spring. Afterward, another public comment period will be set up before a second evaluation and refinement of the draft incorporating those additional comments or concerns. The Final EIS will seek the approval of Gov. Linda Lingle. If and when it is approved, the final version will be published.In an effort to make the public scoping easier for all to voice their concerns, TMT Corp. is offering a number of ways the public can get involved. Individuals can record an oral comment, fill in a comment form or speak at local meetings.The next public meeting will be Oct. 15 at Pahoa High School cafeteria and Oct. 16 in Honolulu at the Blaisdell Center Pikake Room. Both meetings run from 5-8 p.m.Other outlets for comment include making a statement online atwww. tmt-hawaiieis. org, leave a message on the toll-free hotline, 1-866-284-1716, or mail a written comment to: University of Hawaii-Hilo, Office of the Chancellor, 200 W. Kawili St. Hilo, HI 96720For more information about the telescope, visit the http://www. tmt. org. For information on the CMP for Mauna Kea, visit http://www. maunakeacmp. com
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Ka wikio 'oi kelakela

Posted by Kamealoha on October 20, 2008 at 9:24pm
Aloha mai e ku'u mau hoa makamaka mai ka hikina a ka la ma ke alihilani o Ha'eha'e a hiki i ka welona ma Holani. I keia po ua nana au i wikio maika'i loa 'o ia ho'i 'o Noho hewa, na Keala Kelly i haku. He mea hoihoi a kupainaha no keia no ko kakou wa a me ka wa e hiki mai ana. Ia'u i nana ai i keia wikio a me kona mana'o ua no'ono'o au 'o keia ka mea a kakou e ho'ike ai i ka kakou mau keiki ma na kula a pau. Pono no ho'i lakou e 'ike i ka lakou wa a me ko lakou kuleana i loko o ka lahui no ka holomua 'ana o kakou. No ka mea, 'a'ole lakou e 'ike a maopopo i ka nui o keia mana'o 'a'ole kakou e holomua. He pilikia no ho'i kela no ka mea 'a'ole kakou e holomua pau kakou i ke ku wale. Pono ka kakou keiki a me kakou kekahi e lilo i po'e paio i 'ike kela mau po'e 'e i ka kakou 'ike a me ka lakou hewa i hana ai ia kakou.O ia wale ihola no
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HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WAIT 51 YEARS FOR A HOME?

Posted by Free Hawai`i on October 20, 2008 at 7:31pm
How Hawai`i Treats HawaiiansHonolulu Star Bulletin - Monday, October 20, 2008For many, it was a line several decades long.But patience was rewarded yesterday when the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded 205 families home lots in its East Kapolei project.Vivian Perreira, 73, had been waiting for 51 years.Today, she has four grown sons and several grandchildren. She plans to offer her home lot to her youngest son.Read More Here
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HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WAIT 51 YEARS FOR A HOME?

Posted by Free Hawai`i on October 20, 2008 at 7:31pm
How Hawai`i Treats HawaiiansHonolulu Star Bulletin - Monday, October 20, 2008For many, it was a line several decades long.But patience was rewarded yesterday when the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded 205 families home lots in its East Kapolei project.Vivian Perreira, 73, had been waiting for 51 years.Today, she has four grown sons and several grandchildren. She plans to offer her home lot to her youngest son.Read More Here
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Hawai`i Quarter Minted

Posted by Pono Kealoha on October 20, 2008 at 12:37pm
WITH THE APOLOGY BILL,in 1993 : THIS FRUD 50th CRAP IS A FARCE !THUS IS : NULL and VOID !http://hawaiiankingdom.orgLEARNworthless3.gif

Hawai`i Quarter Minted

— filed under: Headline

At the invitation of the U.S. Mint, Governor Lingle traveled to Denver, Colorado to participate in the ceremonial strike of Hawai`i's Commemorative Quarter, the 50th and final quarter minted in the 50 State Quarters Program.

Hawai`i Quarter Minted

Governor Lingle inspects a freshly-minted Hawai`i quarter along with press operator Frank Alba, whose father is from Hawai`i.

Hawai`i commemorative quarters roll off the press at the Denver Mint.

The Hawai`i quarter design, entitled "Hawai`i, the Island State," depicts the King Kamehameha I statue on the right side of the coin, with his hand stretching toward the eight main Hawaiian islands. The State motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono" (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness), is in the lower left side of the coin. At the top of the coin are the words "Hawai`i" and the year "1959," when Hawai`i was admitted to the Union. "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of the many, one) is at the bottom.

"It's our vision for Hawai`i's future and it shows our respect for all the land," Governor Lingle said of the Hawai`i commemorative quarter. "It also shows that although there are many islands, we're united as a state."

The quarter will be released into general circulation on November 10 and officials expect approximately 520 million Hawai`i quarters will be produced.

The coin is being released as Hawai`i is commemorating its 50th anniversary of statehood.

The process to select Hawai`i's quarter design began in February 2006 when Governor Lingle convened a 36-member commission that included individuals from across the state, representative of Hawai`i's diversity.

The Commission solicited the public's input and invited people to submit themes and concepts that it used to develop five narratives that were submitted to the U.S. Mint, which returned actual designs approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Commission invited the public to vote for their favorite design in an online poll. Governor Lingle made the final selection in April 2007, based on recommendations from the Advisory Commission and results from the online poll.

Quarter Set to Launch November 10 »

Join representatives from the Lingle-Aiona Administration, community leaders and officials from the U.S. Mint in Downtown Honolulu's Bishop Square at noon on November 10 to launch the commemorative quarter in Hawai`i.

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In Response to: "US role in the..." ATTEMPTED "dethronement of our Queen."

Posted by Eo Lono! on October 19, 2008 at 11:01am
Aloha mai kaua,I was just reading over your article and I found some of your points very interesting in relationship with the attempted overthrow of our nation by Thurston and his league of gutless terrorist fiends. The newspapers from old, including New York Times as well as some papers in San Francisco leave us clues to the co-conspirators mingling about at that time. It leaves us with that feeling in our na'au that the extremities in which they act are guided by their inherent greed and lust to gang rape our motherland.I wanted to bring up a few points myself to share with you a conversation a friend and I had last evening concerning the Treaty of Reciprocity in accordance with the attempted overthrow of the Hawaiian nation. In interpreting the dialogue between Kalakaua circa 1884-1887 with the United States Secretary of State Baynard, there is a discrepancy over Article I and Article II of the convention of 1884 between the United States and Ko Hawaii Pae 'Aina.Article II reads:"His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands grants to the Government of the United States the exclusive right to enter the harbor of the Pearl River in the Island of Oahu, and to establish and maintain there a coaling and repair station for the use of vessels of the United States, and to that end the United States may improve the entrance to said harbor and do all other things needful to the purpose aforesaid."What is interesting about Article II of this convention is the language used to describe the United States Government's need for presence here in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. Their presence in Hawaii is only to utilize Pearl Harbor as a coaling and repair station. Nothing more. If Hawaii were to allow Pearl Harbor to be used anything more than a means for coaling and repair, which history has shown that they have illegally occupied and acted against our treaties of neutrality existing with more than a dozen other nations, those treaties of neutrality would call our allies to intervene in our national defense on the basis of the U.S. Military's continued occupation and break of international foreign policy.In looking at the United States strategic and manipulative efforts to gain our nation state in treaty clause almost six and a half years before their attempted overthrow, it purports to confer their third-party conspiracy to aid and abet individuals of American Immigrant descent having naturalized themselves as Hawaiian Nationals to engage in acts of espionage, heresy, and treason for the purpose U.S. Military gain.Hence the gang rape of our motherland.Kalakaua was quick to respond to this clouded intent at occupying our nation state in 1887 and feeling the growing tension of the political thrust of the U.S. he opened the legislative session with a statement before Hawaiian Legislature in public record to state any discrepancies that the U.S. may have had in the language concerning the articles of the convention of 1884.This statement was given before the Bayonet Constitution of 1887.His Majesty states:"I take great pleasure in informing you that the Treaty of Reciprocity with the United States of America has been definitely extended for seven years upon the same terms as those in the original treaty, with the addition of a clause granting to national vessels of the United States the exclusive privilege of entering Pearl River Harbor and establishing there a coaling and repair station. This has been done after mature deliberation and the interchange between my Government and that of the United States of an interpretation of the said clause whereby it is agreed and understood that it does not cede any territory or part with or impair any right of sovereignty or jurisdiction on the part of the Hawaiian Kingdom and that such privilege is coterminous with the treaty."Upon his majesty delivering his address to the Hawaiian Legislature the United States Secretary of State was quick to respond as such to show good faith to the Hawaiian Kingdom that the United States did not have such intent to infringe upon the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Nation with the discrepancy of the language stated in the articles from that convention.Secretary Baynard's statement on December 8, 188t7 in response to Kalakaua's address to the Hawaiian Legislative body reads:"No ambiguity or obscurity in that amendment is observable, and I can discern therein no subtraction from Hawaiian Sovereignty over the harbor to which it relates nor any language importing a longer duration for the interpolated Article II than is provided for in article I of the supplementary convention."I therefor trust that it will be treated as it is tendered in simple good faith and accepted without doubt or hesitation."Six and a half years later, almost a year to the end of the seven year agreement upon articles mentioned in the convention allowing the U.S. Government vessels to utilize Pearl Harbor as a coaling and mining station, Kalakaua was dead, Queen Liliuokalani was imprisoned within her own palace, and martial law was set upon our nation with a presence of United States Marines and Navy in Pearl Harbor.Contradicting all of their intentions of "good faith" and "trust" that such articles would be followed without intent to infringe upon our sovereignty. In conclusion leaving our nation to be stuck with the continued foot print of U.S. Military occupation in our nation state. I wanted to leave you with one more quote that I pulled off of a website that you would really love to check out, as it lists in detail some of the points that I have mentioned in full."The illegitimate oligarchy unlawfully orchestrated an illegal fix of trade on Jan. 17, 1893 by using the ploy of a “military threat” against the Neutral Nation of Ko Hawaii Pae Aina. This “threat” kept the nation “quite” while they falsely entered key minister positions to gain access to lucrative trade deals and the silver and gold coffers belonging to the nationals of Ko Hawaii Pae Aina. The disguise of an alleged “overthrow” was used as a concealment of the fraud taking place for purposes of stealing the world’s most profitable trade and for accessing silver and gold before the planned bankruptcy of the United States in 1899. Fortunately, none of the fraud has any effect to the legitimate nation of Ko Hawaii Pae Aina today and that nation is not bankrupted as the United States and their corporations, municipalities, etc. are to date. Ko Hawaii Pae Aina reserves the right to refuse entry into compact with any de facto party." www.kohawaiipaeaina.netMahalo e ho'opulapula e na kupuna o Ko Hawaii Pae 'Aina. Aloha.Hale MawaeEo Lono!
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KAU INOA / AKAKA BILL LINK EXPOSED - PONO PATRIOTS ON "VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`I'S FUTURE"

Posted by Free Hawai`i on October 19, 2008 at 6:30am
Recently Office of Hawaiian Affairs candidate Colin Kippen held a press conference revealing something most had suspected all along – OHA’s plan to use their Kau Inoa registry to claim support for the Akaka bill.We reveal far more this coming Wednesday on Free Hawai`i TV - who actually owns the data base, how they plan to use it, and most significantly, who was paid under the table by OHA to go out and get signatures for Kau Inoa.It ‘s one of our most significant and revealing reports yet, coming this Wednesday on Free Hawai`i TV.All this of course points to one thing – we need change at OHA now. We need pono people, honest people who actually work for the betterment of Hawai`i. You can see two outstanding examples this week here on Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future.MONDAY, October 20th At 6:30 PM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53THURSDAY, October 23rd At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, October 24th At 8:30 AM – Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52“Hawaiian Superman – Remembering Kanalu Young”Superman really does exist. Kanalu was not only quadriplegic, but professor of Hawaiian history at the University of Hawai`i and Director of the Masters Program at the Center For Hawaiian Studies. See for yourself why this remarkable Kanaka Maoli warrior was Hawai`i’s Superman. Watch It Here.MONDAY, October 20th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, October 24th At 5:30 PM - Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53SATURDAY, October 25th At 8:00 PM – O`ahu, `Olelo, Channel 53“Nothing Can Grow There – A Visit With Kat Brady”Why are so many Hawaiians behind bars and being shipped out to privately run US prisons in Arizona and Kentucky? Did you know more than half of Hawai`i’s prison population is now on the US continent? You’ll be shocked when you hear why. Discover why Kat says, “the government’s not going to fix these things – it will be the people." Watch It Here.Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you’ll be inspired to do the same.If you support our issues on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network, please email this to a friend to help us continue. A donation today helps further our work. Every single penny counts.Donating is easy on our Voices Of Truth website via PayPal.You can watch Voices Of Truth anytime on the web.And for news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV, a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.
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HAWAI`I'S QUEEN SPEAKS - OFFICIAL ANNEXATION TREATY PROTEST

Posted by Free Hawai`i on October 17, 2008 at 7:34pm
Presented by Lili`uokalani in Washington DC - June 17, 1897I, Lili`uokalani of Hawai`i, by the will of God named heir apparent on the tenth day of April, A.D. 1877, and by the grace of God Queen of the Hawaiian Islands on the seventeenth day of January, A.D. 1893, do hereby protest against the ratification of a certain treaty, which, so I am informed, has been signed at Washington by Messrs. Hatch, Thurston, and Kinney, purporting to cede those Islands to the territory and dominion of the United States. I declare such a treaty to be an act of wrong toward the native and part-native people of Hawai`i, an invasion of the rights of the ruling chiefs, in violation of international rights both toward my people and toward friendly nations with whom they have made treaties, the perpetuation of the fraud whereby the constitutional government was overthrown, and, finally, an act of gross injustice to me....
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Tips on applying for scholarships

Posted by Keahi on October 17, 2008 at 2:30am
Aloha Kakou,This was a sidebar in my article "How to prepare for financial aid fairs, Hapai Pu style". I just thought it would be easier to read if I devoted a whole blog to it. As a Hawaiian college student who has successfully applied for & received scholarships, grants, & tuitions waivers I felt it was important to share the tips I learned (and verified by Aunty Ku'umealoha) with other Hawaiian students.It's ALWAYS important to know your source of information, so here are mine:The information for the sidebar of my article came from an afternoon sit down interview in February 2006 with Aunty Ku'umealoha Gomes at the Kua'ana Office.My contact info for UH Manoa's Financial Aid Services comes from p.57 of the University of Hawai'i 2008-2009 Catalog. My contact for UH Manoa's Office of Student Equity, Excellence, & Diversity comes from p.49 of the catalog.Some Contact Info:Financial Aid ServicesQueen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services 1122600 Campus RoadHonolulu, HI 96822Tel: (808) 956-7251Fax: (808) 956-3985E-mail: finaid@hawaii.eduWeb: www.hawaii.edu/fasOffice of Student Equity, Excellence, & DiversityQueen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services 4132600 Campus RoadHonolulu, HI 96822Tel: (808) 956-4642Fax: (808) 956-9240E-mail: seed@hawaii.eduWeb: www.hawaii.edu/diversityMahalo Nui,kEAHI^^)Written By: Keahi Lee, KaLeo ReporterIssue Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2007.Section: FeaturesLink to online article: Unavailable; during the time when this article was printed, KaLeo.org was not up & running, so my article was printed on paper, but never made available online. It's too bad because besides being useful information for all Hawaiian students interested in funding their higher education, the UH Manoa Board of Publications also honored me with a 2006-2007 Excellence In Journalism Award for my reporting in this article (that's another reason for you to have faith in my article's accuracy ^*)Tips On Applying for Scholarships from Ku’umealoha Gomes, director of Kua’ana Student SevicesBe Prepared:-Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA’s are available at the student financial aide office at the Queen Liliu’okalani Center for Student Services.-Prepare a personal financial statement-Calculate your expenses for the semester or year. This should include your costs for tuition, books, student fees, housing expenses, medical insurance, food, transportation, entertainment and clothing.-Factor in your salary/wage if you are working part or full-time.-List what resources you’re applying to receive or have received, such as scholarships, grants or other aid. Doing this will show that you’re serious about finding funding for your education and will allow financial aid and scholarship people to see how their scholarship(s) will benefit you.-Prepare a personal statement or essay about yourself. This should be an introduction of who you are, where you’re from, your family background, and your educational goals-what it is you hope to accomplish and why. Another important thing to include is how you plan to give back to the community.-Prepare a resume’. Include sports activities or clubs you’re in, awards or accolades you’ve won and community service you’ve done.-Get a copy of your transcript. Grades are often time, a way of interpreting your commitment to your education.-Get letter of recommendation from a teacher, a mentor or a coach. This will give the scholarship officials an idea of who you are and your commitment to your education and other endeavors.
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How to prepare for financial aid fairs, Hapai Pu style

Posted by Keahi on October 17, 2008 at 2:00am
Aloha Kakou,I wrote this article so that other Hawaiian students would know where to get information on how to fund their college education. The UH Manoa Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity, Kua'ana Student Services, & especially Aunty Ku'umealoha Gomes helped me get tuition waivers, scholarships, & grants so my family & I wouldn't have to pay for much during my college career. It's really simple to do, especially since there is a whole fair,office, and good people dedicated to just this purpose that happens every year in/around February. I will updated my blog when I find out more about this year's fair, but until now I hope other Hawaiian students on this site will read this blog and start thinking about & contacting the SEED Office & Kua'ana for assistance in funding their education.It's ALWAYS important to know your source of information, so here are mine:The information for my article came from an afternoon of separate sit down interviews in February 2006 with Aunty Ku'umealoha Gomes, Kaleo Manuel, & Zachary "Ikaika" Bantolina at the Kua'ana Office.My contact info for the Kua'ana Office comes from p.48 of the University of Hawai'i 2008-2009 Catalog.Originally, I intended for this article to reach more Hawaiians & pitched it to the editors at Ka Wai Ola OHA at one time, but well...long story short & my new personal politics aside-that did not work out ^^/ But this article is here for your use now, so read on! ^^)Some Contact Info:Kua'ana Student ServicesQueen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services 2072600 Campus RoadHonolulu, HI 96822Tel: (808)956 -2644Mahalo Nui,kEAHI^^)Written By: Keahi Lee, KaLeo ReporterIssue Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2007.Section: FeaturesLink to online article: Unavailable; during the time when this article was printed, KaLeo.org was not up & running, so my article was printed on paper, but never made available online. It's too bad because besides being useful information for all Hawaiian students interested in funding their higher education, the UH Manoa Board of Publications also honored me with a 2006-2007 Excellence In Journalism Award for my reporting in this article (that's another reason for you to have faith in my article's accuracy ^*)The annual Hapai Pu Financial Aid Fair will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Campus Center on Wed., Feb. 7. Hapai Pu, is a fair to help students, especially those of native Hawaiian ancestry find information on scholarship opportunities, tuition waivers, and financial aid.Hapai Pu, now in its fourteenth year, has successfully helped many students find the funding for their college education.“It all started fourteen years ago, through my work I remember hearing from students and observing their frustrations with the financial aid and scholarship applications,” said Ku’umealoha Gomes, director of Kua’ana student services. “The students had many questions that they wanted to ask the resource people and [but] had no opportunity or forum to do this.”The fair is set up to provide students with the ease of picking up applications and talking to representatives without the hassles of answering machines or other annoying squabbles.“What we did as part of the Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity, was organize a financial aid fair,” Gomes said. “Students could just go from one table to the other table, picking up the application forms and have the opportunity to speak to the resource people directly.”Kaleo Manuel, now a graduate student in the department of Urban and Regional Planning, reflects on his experiences. “The process of looking for the funding to go to college was really tedious, especially because all of the resources were scattered everywhere.Manuel said the Hapai Pu brought a lot of the resources together and made it easy and more convenient for him to find and apply for financial aid and funding.“Through the help and support I found from attending Hapai Pu, I was able to find the funding to attend school full-time as an undergrad, and it has continued to support me today, as a graduate student,” Manuel said.Besides helping to support students, the fair and its resources also encourage the Hawaiian ideal of “Kuleana” — one’s responsibility to support and give back to their community.“Sometimes we’d go to schools to work with children or go to cultural sites like Hei’au’s (Hawaiian temples of worship) or Lo’I (Taro patches) to help with clean up [with] restoration,” said Zachary "Ikaika" Bantolina, an undergraduate in architecture. “Through these scholarships, you are given the opportunity to not only help yourself, but also the opportunity to help your community as a whole.”Hapai Pu, means to “Carry together, to lift up and to go forth.” in many ways, the fair has lived up to its name.“Many of the scholarships stress that you make a commitment to doing community service. Through attending the scheduled community service events, I was given the opportunity to work with people and other students who were committed to promoting and living Hawaiian culture,” Bantolina said.
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2005 UHM Graduate, Kaiwipuni "Punihei" Anthony aspires to help others

Posted by Keahi on October 17, 2008 at 1:30am
Aloha Kakou,I know this article is a bit outdated, perhaps if I find the time I will do an updated one, but I'm just posting this article so other young Hawaiians will read it & perhaps, feel inspired & encouraged by Punihei's accomplishments & examples.If you're thinking about studying 'Olelo Hawai'i after high school, especially at UH Manoa, Punihei is definetly one of the people you should see. At the very least she can give you help & advice on how to accomplish your higher education goals & if you do become a major, it is her job to advocate on your behalf-so, you'll have a strong, successful, & powerful ally on your side once you're there.It's ALWAYS important to know your source of information, so here are mine:The information for my article came from a May 2005 sit down interview I conducted with Punihei in the Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies Resource Room/Library.All my other information comes from what I heard & phamplets I received at the this year's Hawai'inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge dinner for all Hawaiian Language & Hawaiian Studies majors & their families. The dinner was catered by Haili's (If you don't know-that's some 'ono stuffs!^^) at the Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies in the Halau o Haumea on Friday, September 12th, 2008.As a Hawaiian Studies major & Hawaiian language student in attendance that night, I am just doing my part to spread the word cuz' every Hawaiian should have the opportunity & resources necessary to get a higher education.Some Contact Info:Kaiwipuni Punihei LipeAcademic Advisor, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language2540 Maile Way, Spalding 253CHonolulu, Hawai'i 96822Kelepona: (808) 956-7637Kelepa'i: (808) 956-5978Leka Uila: kaiwipun@hawaii.eduMahalo Nui for reading,kEAHI^^)Written By: Keahi Lee, KaLeo Staff WriterIssue Date: 5/26/2005.Section: NewsLink to online article: http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2005/05/26/News/Uhm-Graduate.Aspires.To.Help.Others-2797636.shtmlOn May 15, Kaiwipuni "Punihei" Anthony graduated from the University of Hawai'i with a bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies. Punihei spent her early childhood at a Hawaiian language immersion school and went on to graduate from Kamehameha School.Considering her Hawaiian background and that her mother is Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa, UH professor of Hawaiian Studies and the former director for the Center of Hawaiian Studies, majoring in Hawaiian Studies would seem a likely choice for Punihei. But like many graduates, Punihei started her freshman year at UH with different intentions."When I started at UH in August 2001 my intended major was pre-med," Punihei said. "But I took Jon Osorio's Hawaiian Studies 107 class and it just raised a lot of issues in my own mind, issues that I thought I had answered for myself prior to coming to college. After taking the class, I realized that there were still a lot of things I had to learn for myself in order to be able to work for my community."Soon after, Punihei declared her intention to major in Hawaiian Studies with an emphasis on Hawaiian Language. Although she was on a merit-based scholarship from the School of Hawaiian, Pacific and Asian Studies for her sophomore through senior years, Punihei still had to work."My toughest challenge was balancing work with school," she said. "I had to try and be financially stable enough to stay in school and try to find scholarships. Money was my biggest issue, but I realized that I had to keep working and keep going to school because that was the only way to get through it."Punihei found jobs as a student aide for the Native Hawaiian Leadership Project and as a Bishop Museum research assistant, helping with projects involving the Hawaiian language. "Currently I'm working on a Hawaiian language newspaper project called Ho'olaupa'i, where we're working on digitizing the old Hawaiian language newspapers and making them available on the Internet," she said.Besides school and work, Punihei also immerses herself in the Hawaiian language and culture through hula. "I have been formally dancing in a hula halau since I was nine years old," she said. "I was part of Chinky Mahoe's halau for 5 years, and then I took a break from the halaus for a little while, but I continued dancing hula for fun at Kamehameha. I started up again in 2002 and now I'm part of Manu Boyd's Halau O Ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani."This year, at the 42nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival, Punihei represented Halau O Ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani as a soloist in the Miss Aloha Hula competition and took second runner-up.Punihei said that placing in the competition didn't matter to her. "What really mattered were my performances," she said. "I was really happy with them and so was my kumu. Once I was done, I really didn't think about it. Placing was kind of just a nice extra.""I think the most important thing for any hula dancer, especially if you want to be Miss Aloha Hula, is to know what you're talking and dancing about," she added. "It's important to understand the language and the culture because you just can't dance hula any other way."While some may aspire to be Miss Aloha Hula, Punihei aspires to become a counselor to help others. She counseled Native American, Alaskan and Hawaiian kids for Oregon State University during the summers of 2002 and 2003."My job was to help and encourage these kids to learn about the college experience, specifically in the sciences, as there is a lack of native kids interested in going into sciences," she said. "That's kind of when I decided I wanted to become a counselor."After graduation, Punihei plans to join the counseling and psychology program at Chaminade University. Her long-term goal is to become a counselor and help Native Hawaiian kids learn and get through college.While at UH, Punihei found time to be an ASUH senator and spent last spring semester at Waitago University in New Zealand on an international exchange program. At the commencement ceremony, Punihei was a marshal for the School of Asian and Pacific Studies.Punihei, along with this year's Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies graduates, opened the commencement ceremony with the chant "Welina Manoa."
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