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Hawaiian
issues spawning
political party
Petitions are circulating
By Pat Omandam
statewide to bring the
Aloha Aina Party to life
Star-BulletinState legislators and other elected officials seen as nonchalant about Hawaiian issues have prompted the possible resurgence of a political party that supported Hawaiians a century ago.
Organizers of the Aloha Aina Political Party said the recent and swift effort by Gov. Ben Cayetano and the state Legislature to replace Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees in response to the Rice vs. Cayetano decision -- without consulting Hawaiians -- has them and others calling for the reorganization of what was the Home Rule Party.
Details of their political party were to be announced at noon today.
Aloha Aina organizer Vicky Holt Takamine said that while there are some very good candidates in the state Legislature who understand and support Hawaiian issues, more are needed to have an effective voice at the state Capitol.
Takamine said yesterday that she took out petition papers with the state office of elections on Feb. 28 for the new political party. Those petitions are now circulating statewide in an effort to get 602 signatures of registered voters by March 31, although the official deadline is April 6.
"We're going to specifically target those areas that we think are not representing our concerns, that are not looking out for the betterment of Hawaii's environment and cultural resources," Takamine said.
In 1900, many Hawaiians, frustrated at the loss of their sovereignty, bypassed the Republican and Democratic parties and formed the Home Rule Party just months after Hawaii became a U.S. territory. In its first election that year, the "Hawaiians for Hawaiians" party gained control of the territorial House and Senate, and sent pro-monarchy advocate Robert Wilcox as the first Hawaii delegate to Congress.
Historians described that first territorial Legislature of 1900 as chaotic, as the Home Rulers, who often spoke Hawaiian instead of English, tried to pass legislation to free native prisoners from jail and license kahunas as physicians.
They also sought to lower the $3 tax on female dogs. Many thought that was too much to pay for the animal, which was a featured dish at luaus. Some have referred to that session as the "Lady Dog legislature" because of that bill.
Soon after, however, the Home Rule Party lost Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Piikoi to the Republican Party. After two more elections, the party faded away in 1912.
Takamine said Cayetano's decision to appoint interim trustees and the state House's quick introduction of three bills supporting the governor's intentions show a lack of consideration for Hawaiians.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 23 ruled that the state's OHA elections were illegal, prompting Cayetano to say he would replace the elected trustees on the board. Both the state and OHA now are seeking clarification of the Rice decision in the Hawaii Supreme Court. The joint petition is expected to be filed this week.
In recent years, Takamine's 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition, OHA and other Hawaiian groups have opposed bills that affected native gathering rights, the Hawaiian Home Lands individual claims process and Hawaiians' right to self-determination. Such efforts have led Takamine to believe Hawaiians "need better choices" at the voting booths because lobbying against measures is not enough.
"When we have to constantly go down there and fight for what we think is right, fight for justice, for what's fair and to have to lobby legislators to make decisions on these issues and yet be faced with people that really don't give a rip, then I think it's time to make available to the general public some better choices for candidates," she said.
Wayne Kahoonei Panoke, a coalition member and former University of Hawaiian regent, said Cayetano's actions regarding OHA trustees is the "tip of the iceberg" in the erosion of native Hawaiian rights and entitlements.
"This is a time for our people to come together and for all the people in Hawaii who are disenchanted with what's going on now," Panoke said.
"And this will be another mechanism to hold the Legislature accountable for the decisions that they made," she said.
H.K. Bruss Keppeler, immediate past president and government relations committee chairman at the Association for Hawaiian Civic Clubs, said formation of a Hawaiian-friendly political party should be effective, especially in districts where there are a lot of Hawaiian voters motivated to get some legislation that supports Hawaiian issues.
Takamine said Aloha Aina has no money and has not yet formed its central committee or other committees.
She said the effectiveness of the political party will depend on how many signatures they get for its formation.
State law requires any group that wants to qualify as a political party for state elections to file a petition, declare the intent and name of the new party, obtain signatures of 1 percent of the total registered voters in the last general election, and submit the names and address of the party's central committee and respective county committees.
"We thought of naming it 'Home Rule' but we chose Aloha Aina. (But) It really is sort of a rebirth of the Home Rule Party," Takamine said.
Once petitions are filed, other established political parties may file objections within 10 days. Any objections will be heard by the chief elections officer.
Aloha Aina would have to petition as a political party for three consecutive general elections before it would be able to remain on the ballot for a 10-year period.
Those interested in obtaining a petition should call Takamine at 754-2301 or Panoke at 239-9773.
