HAWAIIAN CAUCUS RESOLUTION REAFFIRMS POLITICAL STATUS

"A history of attempts to divide the Hawaiian people in their own land. This is the legacy of shame that is driving some of the more extreme solutions now being discussed in the Hawaiian community," said Rep. Michael Puamamo Kahikina (D, Nanakuli-Barbers Pt., Honokai Hale, Mali, Kalaeloa), Chair of the bipartisan, 10-member Hawaiian Caucus in the State Legislature.

The Caucus plans to introduce a resolution to reaffirm the special political relationship between the State of Hawaii and the United States. Kahikina said it represents an achievable, first step toward protecting Hawaiian entitlement programs and to ensure that the federal and state governments meet their legal obligations to the Hawaiian people. The resolution would also be a statement that this is the consensus of the Hawaii State Legislature.

Kahikina said the Hawaiian people must remain unified and defend their most basic rights as defined in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 and subsequently incorporated into the Hawaii State Constitution. "We cannot let outsiders use our situation for their own political purposes," he said.

But he acknowledged that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the Rice v. Cayetano case, which opened up Office of Hawaiian Affairs elections to non Hawaiians, as well as calls for the end to federal entitlement programs for Hawaiians because they are race-based, are having an impact.

"These are just recent examples of the kinds of frustration that the Hawaiian people have had to endure since the overthrow of the Hawaiian sovereign over 100 years ago," Kahikina said. "If people want to understand why some Hawaiians are advocating separatism and other extreme measures, they need only to look at our history."

"The history is full of attempts to divide Hawaiians in order to delay long overdue obligations," Kahikina said. "And they are still trying to reduce our position to tribal status."

Kahikina said the caucus was encouraged by the House Majority's position to oppose any efforts to eliminate Hawaiian entitlement programs, as well as Governor Ben Cayetano's pledge to fully use the State's resources to protect the rights of Hawaiians.

In addition to Kahikina, the members of the Hawaiian Legislative Caucus include:

Rep. Lei Ahu Isa, Democrat, Alewa Heights-Nuuanu

Rep. Emily Auwae, Republican, Makaha-Waianae

Rep. Kika Bukoski, Republican, Upcountry Maui

Rep. Ron Davis, Republican, Kaanapali-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai

Sen. J. Kalani English, Democrat, Kahului-Upcountry Maui

Rep. Ezra Kanoho, Democrat, Kapaa-Lihue

Rep. Bertha Kawakami, Democrat, Koloa-Niihau-Waimea

Rep. Hermina Morita, Democrat, North Kauai-East Maui

Rep. Guy Ontai, Republican, Mililani-Wheeler

#####