View Point

Saturday, October 3, 1998

Hawaiians must
choose leadership

By Winona Rubin

THE time for talk is over. Hoomalu ma Kualoa, although not representative of the approximately 100 Hawaiian organizations, numerous ohana and over 160,000 Hawaiians in the state, is to be congratulated on continuing discussions on long-standing issues important to Hawaiians.

But it is time to stop prolonged talking after far too many years of kukakuka.

As an umbrella organization for Hawaiian groups, Hoomalu ma Kualoa has run its course. While its earlier discussions have resulted in some "positions" on behalf of Hawaiians in attendance, matters will not be resolved by more extended talking.

Positions taken and decisions made can only be representative of Hawaiians, when Hawaiians have an opportunity to vote on self-determination and, thereafter, on specific matters impacting our collective future.

The Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council (HSEC) was created by the state Legislature in 1993. Its responsibilities and funding from state government ended in 1996. The HSEC laid the groundwork for future actions by Hawaiians regarding self-determination, despite distractions and opposition by certain groups. In 1996, 73 percent of Hawaiians voted to support holding an election of delegates to a convention.

Ha Hawaii is not the HSEC. It is not state-funded or controlled. Its mission is to enable an election of delegates to a Hawaiian convention with subsequent ratification by the Hawaiian electorate of convention findings and recommendations.

Ha Hawaii is governed by a board of directors like any nonprofit organization such as the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Na Pua a Ke Alii Pauahi and Alu Like Inc. Each organization has a mission to benefit the community.

Now is the time for action -- for Hawaiians to pick delegates who are elected statewide, with appropriate representation from Hawaiians on the mainland.

Once elected, these delegates, in convention and community hearings, should discuss all available information with ongoing input from the Hawaiian community. They should make findings and recommendations available to the more than 90,000 Hawaiian voters for a ratification vote.

Thereafter, details to implement the ratified form of Hawaiian self-determination can be discussed, organized and affirmed by all Hawaiians.

When Hawaiians elect delegates and start moving toward agreement on a form of governance, there will:

No longer be any excuse for a state Con Con or the state Legislature and other branches of government to attempt to impose their will on Hawaiians.

Be elected Hawaiians to represent our interests over the next several years in a laborious United Nations decision-making process. Our representatives will make our ratified directions known to all involved prior to a U.N.-controlled plebiscite, if implemented.

Be elected representatives of Hawaiians, asserting our ratified directions in dealing with the U.S. executive and legislative branches of government.

Be elected Hawaiian leadership with clear community directions to take a proactive role in agreements with Pacific Island nations and other countries, and private entities with major interests in the future during the Pacific century.

Be clear directions from the Hawaiian electorate for candidates of the emerging Hawaiian national political party, and other politically oriented entities.

It is time for all of us -- ohana, organizations and individuals -- to assist in educating each other about the governance issues and options. We must encourage potential candidates to register by Nov. 17.

We must join together in making the planned Jan. 17, 1999 election of delegates successful and to ensure that the convention and ratification steps, which are to follow, are positive experiences in Hawaiian unity and self-determination.

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Winona E. Rubin is a former director
of the state Department of Human Services.