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ALERTNotice of Public Fact Gathering Meeting onEast Maui Stream Restoration PetitionsPLEASE SUPPORT EAST MAUI TARO FARMERS!Date: April 10, 2008 (Thursday)Time: 5 PM to 9 PMPlace: Haiku Community CenterThe Commission on Water Resources Management is convening a Community Fact Gathering meeting in connection with petitions to restore flow to 27 East Maui streams filed by Na Moku Aupuni O Ko`olau Hui, Beatrice Kekahuna, and Marjorie Wallett.Following 7 years of delay in acting on petitions to restore stream flow to 27 East Maui Streams, the Commission is asking the public to provide "testimony and additional information," which it can add to its set of Instream Flow Standard Assessment Reports for 5 hydrologic units covering only the following eight (8) streams: Honopou, Hanehoi, Puolua, Pi`ina`au, Palauhulu, Waiokamilo, Wailuanui, and Kulani. The governing statute does NOT require this meeting.Taro farmers have endured great hardships growing taro without enough water. `O`opu, `opae, hihiwai and other foods once gathered by families from the streams have disappeared because there is no water. Massive diversions by Alexander and Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation (A&B/EMI) have taken all the water out of East Maui streams.Talking points:1. A&B has never had to prove what water it diverts is actually needed. The law says the one who takes the water is supposed to prove that what they need does not harm the stream or the small taro farmer.a. A&B uses 17,000 gallons per day per acre in the wet season and 34,000 gpd per acre in the dry season.b. A&B diverts an average of 160 million gallons per day (MGD), about as much as all of O`ahu consumes.2. Native Hawaiians are beneficiaries of the ceded lands trust. Why do its beneficiaries suffer while big companies benefit from a public trust resource?a. The State of Hawai`i allows A&B to divert over 75% of this water from state ceded lands.b. A&B pays only 1/5 of 1 cent per 1,000 gallons for East Maui water, while most farmers pay over 35 cents per 1000 gallons for irrigation water.3. CWRM has had the scientific data, contained in U.S. Geological Survey studies, for the past three years. Why can't CWRM act immediately to restore East Maui streams? CWRM can restore the streams NOW.4. By law, CWRM is required to act within 180 days of receiving a petition. It's been 7 years since taro farmers filed their petitions. CWRM should act on the petitions NOW.If you have any comments regarding the need to protect these streams, please prepare to testify in support of restoring these streams for East Maui taro farmers and subsistence gatherers.Attend a preparatory meeting just prior to the April 10 event at 3:30 PM if you want more information about helping the East Maui farmers and cultural practitioners outside the Haiku Community CenterAlan T. Murakami, Esq.Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation1164 Bishop StreetSuite 1205Honolulu, HI 96813Tel: 808-521-2302Fax: 808-537-4268
As a journalist since 1969 (including a decade as CNN Radio's New York-based correspondent) I've reported, the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. Now, as news and programming director at Paltalk.com I host a daily online show, News Talk Online, where I interview newsmakers and offer commentary. As with the show, this blog reflects my personal thoughts. I hope it stimulates rhetoric and debate. You are invited and encouraged to post comments.
Monday, April 7, 2008
David Keanu Sai Who Believes Hawaii Should Be An Independent Kingdom On Paltalk
Sai
There's actually a movement which argues that Hawaii is not, lawfully, one of the 50 states of the United States. A leader of that movement, David Keanu Sai, will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk Friday April 11th.
Sai is the "acting interior minister" of the Hawaiian Kingdom government, which he says is operating "within the occupied state of the Hawaiian Islands."
Sai argues that since the Spanish-American War, his "nation" has been under prolonged occupation by the United States of America. He says the Hawaiian Islands "reluctantly" serves as the headquarters of the U.S, Pacific Command, largest of the nine unified military commands of the United States armed forces.
In 2001, the Hawaiian Kingdom Government filed a complaint against the United States with the United Nations Security Council over what it calls the U.S. occupation of the Hawaiian Islands.
To talk to Sai at 5 PM New York time Friday April 11th CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to an additional 12 million households.
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Coming Up On News Talk Online On Paltalk
Michael Ledeen, U.S. Foreign Policy Expert To Talk About The War On Terrorism Monday April 7, 5 PM New York Time
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Aloha `aina, Just when we thought the ceded lands bill was dead, a few members of the House of Representatives in the Hawai`i legislature have gone out of their way to keep it alive.
It seems their plan is to use a bill lingering from last year with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as the subject, gutting the wording and replace it with the ceded lands settlement.
At the same time OHA has been transferring millions of dollars worth of beneficiary lands and money into their private corporations.
Lands on Kaua`i were transferred into their Hi`ileialoha limited liability corporation, as was Waimea Falls Park on O`ahu. A few weeks ago a half a million dollars went in and word now is another $4.2 million transfer will soon occur.
All this without consulting anyone, including beneficiaries or even a master plan.
We’ll have more, fast-breaking details about all of this in the next few days on Free Hawai`i TV. Be sure and tune in for all the latest updates.
And by the way, 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.
But if you smell a rat in all of this, here’s how you can help stop this backdoor dealing.
Send an email to the following legislators and let them know you want the ceded lands settlement stopped now –
repsay@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repsouki@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repchong@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcaldwell@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repboshiro@capitol.hawaii.gov, repfinnegan@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repmeyer@Capitol.hawaii.gov, reppine@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repthielen@Capitol.hawaii.gov, testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov
And while you’re at it, send an email to these reps to demand the audit of OHA (SCR138 SD1) to proceed –
repito@Capitol.hawaii.gov, testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov, senbaker@Capitol.hawaii.gov, sentsutsui@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repkaramatsu@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repsay@Capitol.hawaii.gov
You don’t have to live in Hawai`i to help out here.
In fact, we ask you forward this info to everyone you know who cares about Hawai`i and its people.
It’s a way you can help make a difference this week along with all of us right here on Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future.
MONDAY, April 7th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, April 11th At 5:30 PM – Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53
“Modern Konohiki – A Visit With Ke`eaumoku Kapu”
“What is the destiny in your life?
“What is the history of this place and is there a place suitable for me?”
These are questions that drive the spirit of Ke`eaumoku Kapu, modern day warrior and protector of the `aina.
A former construction worker building houses and highways, Ke`eaumoku’s first awakening came during the 1993 Onipa`a March in Honolulu.
The second occurred when he found himself actually making concrete parts for the H-3 freeway, which eventually caused the desecration of ancient sites in Halawa Valley on O`ahu.
Needing to earn money to feed his family, he kept asking himself, “Is what I’m doing pono, is it just? Is the knowledge I’m acquiring through the corporate system legitimate, based on my life as an island person and Kanaka Maoli?”
Soon thereafter he walked in, quit his job and dedicated the rest of his life to answering the question, “Is there a way to create just with the unjust?”
Today he and his wife run no less than five associations dedicated to serving those threatened with losing their family land to corporate development.
Don’t miss Ke`eaumoku as he leads us through his own awakening that took him from someone whose life was run by US corporations to the warrior he is today who sits on the County of Maui Cultural Resources Commission and the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council. See for yourself how he realized the “contemporary management system has nothing to do with our upbringing as Kanaka Maoli,” and the words he lives by – “we must do whatever we can because our land is at stake.”
TUESDAY, April 8th At 6:30 PM & WEDNESDAY, April 9th At 6:30 AM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53
“Eyes Of The Kupuna – A Visit With Aunty Pele Hanoa”
Imagine living next to a beautiful black sands beach, a place you’ve lived your entire life.
Nature is at your door. The ocean, the beach, endangered turtles use the area coming ashore to breed.
Now also imagine tour buses pulling up next to your home and brining one thousand tourists a day. That’s right, one thousand tourists every single day.
Tourists who harass the turtles, steal the sand for souvenirs, leave litter, and behave obnoxiously.
How would you like to put up with that every day of your life?
Aunty Pele does.
Born and raised in Punalu`u, she’s a prime example of old Hawai`i - staying on the land where you were born, because you were taught from an early age to malama the `aina – care for your ancestral land.
All around her things are changing – and not for the better. Multi-national corporations building developments on the shore and then stealing the water from agricultural lands for their projects.
Yet none of this stops her.
Be sure and catch our visit with Aunty Pele. You’ll be as inspired as we were by this remarkable kupuna who stops at nothing and whose message is one you’ll long remember – “We accepted everyone who came to Hawai`i. Now they should reciprocate by protecting and caring for what we have.”
THURSDAY, April 10th At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, April 11th At 8:30 AM – Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52
“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.
SATURDAY, April 12th At 8:00 PM – O`ahu - `Olelo, Channel 53
“Continuing The Quest – A Visit With Earl Louis”
Living his entire life of 43 years in Punalu`u, on Hawai`i Island, Earl has seen a lot of changes.
Located in the district of Ka`u, he tells us Punalu`u sees more development and tourists practically every day.
A fierce advocate for preserving the last uninhabited coastline on Hawai`i Island, Earl knows both the good and bad news - Punalu`u is not only beautiful but easily accessible.
“Why should we cater to people who want to destroy this land with more resorts and condominiums?”
That’s the question Earl confronts on a daily basis.
Fertilizers from resort golf courses flow to the ocean, killing off the limu (seaweed) that is food for both the fish and Hawksbill turtle that come to nest on Punalu`u beaches and lay their eggs.
Earl’s mission of trying to save the entire eighty-mile coastline might seem daunting to some.
To him, it’s simply what must be done.
Join us in our amazing visit with Earl and you’ll experience what we did - a humble man whose words stay with you a very long time - “This is what the ancestors left for us thousands of years ago. We need to educate our visitors. They don’t know how special and sacred this `aina is. Development is not the only answer.”
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 –
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It has been a busy month! We are so grateful to all the people who continue to work so hard to help protect Hawaii's unique environment and cultural heritage. We have shown time and again that when we stand together we can make a difference for our public trust resources.
1.House Ag Committee Destroys Protective Intentions of SB958 on Thursday
In the face of a historic outpouring of support for the genetic integrity of Haloa, a majority of Agriculture Committee members chose corporate biotech interests over those of Hawai'i's traditional famers yesterday. Last month, over 7,000 people from all corners of our community submitted testimony in support of a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification of Hawai'i's most traditional and sacred food source, taro. Community members have concerns about the potential environmental impacts, unknown health consequences, and cultural impacts of genetically modifying taro. Here in Hawai'i there is clear and strong opposition to the fundamental and irreversible modification of the genes of taro, a sacred geneology.![[image: growing strong - organic loi on Oahu]](http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/images/waiahole%20mauka%20loi%2001.jpg)
YET, in a 9-to-3 vote, the committee amended the bill to prohibit any future bans or regulations on any GMO products, even at the county level.They also cut the moratorium to 5 years and limited the protections to cover only the Hawaiian varieties of taro. But with these amendments Haloa will not be protected.Now, other varieties of taro, like the popular Bun Long variety, can still be genetically altered, cross-pollinate with the Hawaiian varieties and spread genetically modified genes into our ecosystems. More startling, another amendment to the bill also robs counties & local communities of their ability to address GMO concerns in their own neighborhoods.
We are not giving up. The kuleana to protect elder brother, Haloa, is also a kuleana to protect our lives and way of life! We stand with the taro farmers and the thousands of people who voiced uncompromised support for protecting Haloa. There are still four weeks left in the Legislative Session- anything can happen.Learn more at the website and on the KAHEA blog.
Prepare to take Haloa to the polls and PLANT YOUR VOTE! Click here to register to vote. Be a part of Growing Change in Politics! We are woking to put together information for you on which candidates truly Malama Haloa--please stay tuned!
2.State can uphold Marine Protections for Navy Expansion Proposal in NWHI, but will it? Your voice needed!![[image: missile launch from the sacred sands of Nohili on Kaua'i]](http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/images/b_ballistic_missile_testjpg_1.jpg)
In 2006, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands were set aside as the first-ever marine national monument - the largest, most-protected marine reserve on earth. In the face of plans to open the area to increased human activity, six years of your persistant public pressure resulted in the creation of a true pu'uhonua (refuge) for the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal, green sea turtles, millions of rare seabirds, and acres of fragile coral reefs.
But now, those protections are in jeopardy. The U.S. Navy is proposing missile launches, experimental weapon and vehicle tests, and other inappropriate military maneuvers in the NWHI. Still yet, the co-managers have not invoked the 'minimize and mitigate' requirements of Monument regulations. Your voice is needed! The opportunity to fulfill our promise to fully protect Papahanaumokuakea begins now and will continue throughout the summer.
Today, you can help to empower the state in protecting all of our coastal resources - including the NWHI. The Coastal Zone Management Act can require the Navy to modify its proposed exercises to be consistent with Hawai'i's coastal protections to the maximum extent practicable. To do this, we are asking the State to require the Navy to prevent missiles flying over Papahanaumokuakea, limit the use of active sonar, and halt live-fire training where the contamination threatens public health.Click here to express your support for the our coastal protections to Hawaii's Coastal Zone Management Program. The comment deadline is Monday, April 7th.
And watch for updates about the Papahanaumokuakea Monument Management Plan coming out later this month. Stay involved!! This will be another key opportunity to ensure the people's Monument is fully protected, including a citizen advisory council and a publicly accountable permitting process.
![[image: Uncertain Peril book cover]](http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/images/book_sm.jpg)
3. The story is being told, and you can participate first hand.Meet Claire Cummings, author of "Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds" on April 14!
"Uncertain Peril" tells the stories behind the rise of industrial agriculture and plant biotechnology, the fall of public interest science, and the folly of patenting seeds. Two chapters explore how biotechnology impacts Hawai'i and examines the vision of a Hawai'i that can feed itself. It explains how a more abundant future can be achieved and celebrates the innovations of local and indigenous communities who are building food systems based in a respectful relationship between people, plants, and place.
Come meet Claire Cummings - a farmer, lawyer, and journalist, who has worked extensively in Hawaii, California, and Vietnam, as well as in food policy as a former attorney for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Learn more about what is at stake in the genetic modification of our food.
.. ..Claire will be speaking in Honolulu on April 14th. She will address how genetic engineering of kalo (all species of taro) is a very serious threat to Hawai'i's future. Claire's book and other resources on GMO and Hawai'i will be available.Come join us!.. ..Monday, April 14, 2008
6:30-8:30 p.m.
University of Hawaii at Manoa Law School Courtroom
Sponsored by KAHEA and Hawaii S.E.E.D.
.. ..You can visit www. kahea. org/gmo and KAHEA's blog for information about genetic engineering and what you can do to protect taro.
As always, mahalo nui loa for your participation and for adding your voice to the thousands who seek a vision of a different, better future for Hawai'i nei. This shared belief in a better future is at the heart of this movement for change. Mahalo for taking part.
A hui hou,
Us Guys at KAHEA
----------------------
KAHEA: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance
kahea-alliance@hawaii-rr.com
1 (888) 528-6288
http://www. kahea. org
http://blog. kahea. org
E ho'omalu kakou i ka pono, ke 'ano o ka nohona a me ka 'aina mai na kupuna mai.
Protecting Native Hawaiian Traditional and Customary Rights and Our Fragile Environment
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