Ha Hawaii delegates
seeking public views

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Delegates elected to pursue Hawaiian self-determination have 45 days to gather input from Hawaiians statewide and the public before a planned July 31 native Hawaiian convention convenes.

Their work starts today.

"We're ready," said delegate Mel Kalahiki. "We're starting the process tonight."

Delegates elected under Ha Hawaii have announced plans for a seven-week series of meetings aimed at gathering input, fostering participation and informing the public about the native convention.

These community meetings are of high priority, and delegates want to explore as many creative ways as possible to reach their constituents, according to Peggy Ha'o-Ross, convention chairwoman.

The first meeting is tonight at the State Capitol.

"Delegates have been preparing for this moment since being elected January 17th," said the sovereignty advocate and activist.

"I am both proud and impressed with the scope, depth and quality of the delegate's works in all pertinent subject areas," she said.

In 1996, a majority of Hawaiians who participated in a statewide native vote favored holding an election of delegates to determine the form of sovereignty to recommend to all Hawaiians for ratification.

This past January, 78 delegates were elected statewide and on the mainland under an election held by the nonprofit group Ha Hawaii, the successor to the state-funded Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council that held the 1996 vote.

Following the election, the delegates held two general assemblies -- in February and late April/early May -- after which they organized themselves as the Native Hawaiian Convention.

Delegates established the inaugural date for the convention on July 31, with a location to be announced.

Ha'o-Ross said the Convention's education committee has developed a comprehensive curriculum for meetings both during the preconvention and convention periods.

She said decisions on the duration of the convention and the subsequent ratification process will be decided later.

Delegates plan to fund the convention through donations, grants and fund raisers. They are seeking funding from all sources, as well as in-kind goods and services.

Here is a list of preconvention meeting dates and topics. All meetings will be held at the State Capitol Auditorium. Contact delegate Jimmy K. Wong at 348-8459 for details on meetings dates, times and other information.

Today, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Background and history of Hawaiians through the study of the 1993 U.S. apology resolution.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Discussion of self-determination efforts by various sovereignty groups.
Next Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: The United Church of Christ apology to Hawaiians.
June 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Discussion on racial harmony, ancestral and cultural identity, and Hawaiian health and land issues.
June 29, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Relations with the State of Hawaii.
July 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Relations with the United States.
July 14, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: The provisional government under Dole, and the overthrow of the Hawaiian government.
July 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Kingdom of Hawaii.
July 21, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Self-sufficient life practices.
July 25: Start of a five-day immersion program that focuses on native roots.
July 26: Review of seven week-program on background of Hawaiians.
July 27: Component of nationhood and fixed territory.
July 28: Distinct population.
July 29: Government.
July 30: International relations, visioning our nation & level of sovereignty, and authority and responsibility.
July 31: Convention convenes.