/* Written 10:08 AM Jun 7, 1996 by beb in env.justice */
/* ---------- "Defend Native Hawaiian Lands" ---------- */
From: Beth Burrows <beb@igc.apc.org> (by way of briant@sun.goddard.edu
(Brian Tokar))
URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT
MEMO TO: Environmental Justice Advocates (people concerned about the
rights
of indigenous peoples)
FROM: Cha Smith
DATE: June 3, 1996
RE: Another takeover by the State of the Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian
people).
There is serious trouble in paradise. I know that there is trouble
everywhere, but the timeline is getting extremely close for a particularly
nasty trick by the powers that be and wanna continue to be in control in
Hawai'i (i.e tourism, real estate, and the military)
The State government has connived a means to wrestle control of Hawaiian
lands forever and all in the form of a plebiscite/vote being renamed "a
Native Hawaiian sovereignty vote". The self-determination or sovereignty
of the Hawaiian people is on the chopping block.
We need help from the environmental community in preventing this
plebiscite/vote from going forward. This needs to become a priority
environmental justice issue on the mainland. As we work on issues that
are important to us, we must all understand how our struggles are
interconnected and ultimately one. Extremely Brief Background:
1893--The United States Marines with the help of missionaries, violently
overthrow the current government of Hawai'i. 90% of Hawaiian lands are
held "in trust" by the new government-and continue to be held "trust" by
the State.
1993--The sovereignty movement hits its stride. 15,000 people march in
the streets on the 100th Anniversary of the overthrow in a united call
for sovereignty.
1993--Congress passes a bill formally acknowledging that the overthrow
was against the will of the Hawaiian people and apologizes for the
hostile act of war. Yes, the United States Congress.
1995--The State, realizing that they are dangerously close to loosing
contol of the Kanaka Maoli lands, began setting up the machinery for a
plebiscite or vote to undermine forever real Hawaiian sovereignty. They
accomplished this with legislation appropriating a million bucks to
establish an election and an election council appointed by the governor
and exempting themselves from the public procedures act.
1996-- The State now defines the terms, the process, the players and the
outcome. Hawaiians are being lied to in a massive public relations
campaign leading them to see this vote as an opportunity for reparations
and sovereignty. In reality, the vote would establish a constitutional
convention that would let the legislature determine what powers and lands
the Hawaiian people would get. (The State really likes the current
system of no power and little land for the Kanaka Maoli.)
Experts on international law warn that this State plebiscite/vote process
will likely displace all the formal international procedures for achieving
independence or self-determination. The State is setting up the Hawaiians
for a slam dunk into oblivion.
The plebiscite/vote is scheduled to take place beginning in July to the
middle of August. We your need help now.
People have joined forces and are fighting back against a well-funded
public relations campaign. A broad coalition of organizations and
Hawaiian families (Ohanas) have joined together and are organizing and
working to generate information about the implications of this vote.
Without self-determination, there is no justice: environmental or
otherwise. The future of these fragile ecosystems are at stake as well as
the right of the Kanaka Maoli people to live on their own land, speak
their own language and practice their culture. Please spread the word
that sovereignty is on the line in Hawai'i.
It is imperative that the right to sovereignty is supported by activists
on the mainland. We implore you to MAKE THE LINK between the obvious
need to protect the environment and protecting the right of Kanaka Maoli
people to survive.
One example of how Native Hawaiians are under attack is the National Park
Service attempting to evict a Kanaka Maoli family from their traditional
land (now NPS land), even though there is a written agreement that the
family has a right to live there as long as they provide cultural lessons
to Park visitors. The Pai Ohana (family) have lived and sustained
themselves on this land for hundreds of years. They provide a
comprehensive cultural program for children and adults who want to learn
about Native Hawaiian customs. There are countless examples of
indigenous people being allowed to continue living on NPS or other
federal lands after they have been "taken over" by the government. The
eviction of the Pai family is illegal. The National Park Service is
operating in a racist and fascist mode.
The Pai Ohana live on the Island of Hawai'i in the Kona district. Please
call Bruce Babbitt Secretary of the Interior, and request an immediate
investigation of this illegal eviction. The NPS are becoming
increasingly violent and hostile in their attempts to provoke family
members even though there are currently "negotiations" in process.
Please help out with any influence that you can provide for Babbitt to
investigate this matter. It is generally felt that he will respond if we
can get his attention. Thanks. There are 4 simple things that you can
do that will help immensely:
1. Please spread the word to other activists--civil rights,
environmental justice, human rights activists. Copy, forward, and fax
this to other groups, churches, press-- any one who you think would be
interested.
[ Due to the NativeNet policy against relaying solicitations for monetary
contributions, item (2) on that subject has been deleted. However, for
more information on how to help this campaign, please contact:
Stop the Plebiscite Coalition
c/o Kekuni Blaisdell
3333 Ka'ohinani Drive
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817
--Gary (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us) ]
3. Call Bruce Babbitt's office and demand and investigation of the
harassment and attempted eviction by the National Park Service of Native
Hawaiian Pai family in the Kona District, Hawai'i who have legal claim
and right to live on land now controlled by the National Park Service.
4. Email conch@lava.net or call Cha Smith at (808) 841-2176 for more
information
Please do what you can to help stop this vicious attempt to annihilate the
Kanaka Maoli's right to sovereignty.
(NOTE: Stop the Plebiscite is a non-profit, tax exempt organization under
the auspices of Pacific Community Development.)