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Native Hawaiian
group maps
unification march

The walk and rally Sunday
will honor Kamehameha

Hawaiians need kokua for
July 4th Boston ti party

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

A native group striving for trust among Hawaiians has planned a unification march and rally this weekend to honor King Kamehameha's birthday and build widespread support for native issues.

Members of "Hoomalu ma Kualoa" planned a news conference today to share their plans for the 2-mile march Sunday from Ala Moana Park to Iolani Palace, as well as a rally that will include statements of support from several ethnic groups in Hawaii.

Organizer Kina'u Boyd Kamali'i said recent events -- especially the Feb. 23 ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Rice vs. Cayetano case -- broadened support of federal reconciliation and recognition of native Hawaiians.

The gathering, "Walking in the footsteps of Kamehameha 2000," is to honor Kamehameha's legacy of uniting the islands in the hope that those who champion native rights today -- Hawaiian or non-Hawaiian -- can come together.

Kamali'i said the group has worked since 1997 to bring Hawaiians together to discuss important issues. But with the court ruling against the state's Hawaiians-only elections for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the former OHA trustee and state lawmaker believes the timing is right to bring other ethnic groups into the discussion.

"Unity has always been one of the goals for Hawaiians and I'm sure for other nationalists, and this is the beginning," she said. "I think they need to talk with us and we need to talk with them, as residents of Hawaii and of the kingdom."

The march will begin at 8 a.m. at Ala Moana Park. It will proceed along Atkinson Drive to Kapiolani Boulevard and move on to King Street. Organizers will stop at the Kamehameha Statue for a tribute before proceeding to the palace for the rally, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kamali'i said she has a permit to allow up to 2,000 to march.

She's also planning a follow-up gathering July 22-23 in Kualoa Park to discuss the creation of a Confederation of Native Hawaiian Organizations and the proposed bill on federal reconciliation U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka is expected to introduce this month.

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Hawaiians need kokua
for July 4th Boston ti party

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Organizers of the Aloha March 2000 in Washington, D.C., are asking native Hawaiians and supporters from all the islands to donate ti leaf leis that will be used in Boston, Mass., for a Hawaiian version of the historic Boston Tea Party.

On July 4, Aloha March founder Butch Kekahu plans to cast ti leis into the waters of Boston Harbor to raise awareness of the plight of native Hawaiians. The action is reminiscent of the dumping of hundreds of boxes of untaxed imported tea by American colonists on Dec. 16, 1773.

"America's founders risked their lives for freedom and political self-determination," Kekahu said. "Are native Hawaiians wrong to do the same thing?"

Organizers want people from each island and ahupua'a, or community, to send ti leis to symbolize unity. They can send them to Wahi Ku Moku (Boston Hawaiian Club), c/o Al Kuahi Wong, 440 Hanover Street No. 4B, Boston, MA 02113.

Leis may be donated in the name of the donor, a family member or ancestor, who will then be noted in the march Web site, http://www.alohamarch2000.org

The march itself will be from the U.S. Capitol to the White House along Pennsylvania Avenue on Aug. 11-12. There are also plans for a 24-hour pre-march vigil and to display the Ku'e anti-annexation petitions of 1898.

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