Hawaiians demonstrate distaste for Case They are upset by his proposal to combine OHA and DHHL, saying they should decide on such a change
By Lori Tighe
Star-BulletinHawaiians fighting for sovereignty issued a battle cry against Rep. Ed Case yesterday and threatened to take their message to tourists if ignored. To cheers of "Ku e! Ku e!," or "fight!, fight!," sovereignty groups gathered at Iolani Palace on the 22nd annual Sovereign Sunday to protest Case's Native Hawaiian Autonomy Bill.
"Mr. Case is not listening. I'm going to call for his removal," said Kinau Kamalii, a former state representative. The crowd of about 100 people shouted their support.
"I'd like to kick him out right now," she added. "If they continue to ignore us, then we'll go to the airports and Waikiki to talk."
Case (D, Manoa) is proposing a bill to eliminate the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to create a single autonomous group called the "Native Hawaiian Trust Corporation."
His reason: to create a stronger, consolidated group to negotiate native Hawaiian issues.
But Kamalii and other Hawaiian sovereignty activists believe Hawaiians should make the changes, not the nonnative Case.
"I expected the criticism," said Case yesterday. "I'm the bearer of the message to provide a bigger picture and the lightning rod for opposition."
As far as Kamalii's threat of taking their protests to tourists, Case replied, "It doesn't do any good to harm the state's economic base. It will ultimately be counterproductive to the state's ability to resolve outstanding native Hawaiian issues."
But the protesters said Case's bill could strip them of rights and entitlements by severing the federal trust obligation to Hawaiians.
"We decide, not Ed Case, our political, social, cultural and economic status," said Kekuni Blaisdell, sovereignty activist. "His motive is to justify the illegal colonial establishment, to control our lands and to protect the state against these 'unruly natives.'"
Victoria Holt-Takamine urged the crowd to write their state representatives to protest Case's bill. "He can say he met with us, but nothing we said is in this legislation," she said. "Be prepared for the demonstration....If they thought the 24-hour vigil was something, watch out!"
A Hawaiian woman who goes by the name of Alethea, sat beneath a large red umbrella at the Sovereign Sunday rally to witness. "I want to see what's going on, not to judge or make a fuss. It helps to keep up." Alethea said she understands that Case is trying to erase a program that has been beneficial to Hawaiians. "Most of these people are very angry and believe there's no such thing as a fair deal from the U.S. government."
Another rally attendee, Poonui Lopaka, said he came to support native Hawaiian self-
determination. "We don't want dictators. We know what we want," he said. "It's sad for the state. We are rejoicing because things are coming out."
Even though the protesters criticize him, Case finds the public discussion healthy. "I think we all need to get involved in native Hawaiian affairs. We are at a crossroads."
"In the long run," Case said, "it's more productive to commit details to paper and put it out for public discussion. It's not the end of the game - it's the beginning."
