Hawaiian issues spur
discussion at U.N. forum

A meeting of experts focuses on
the plight of indigenous people

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By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

The plight of the world's indigenous people, including native Hawaiians, took center stage over the past 10 days in New York during a U.N. forum.

"Native Hawaiian issues have been invisible far too long, particularly to the people of the United States," said Mahelani Kekahu Sylva, president of the Koani Foundation, a Kauai-based native rights group.

"The people of Hawaii need to come together as one. This forum gives all of us, as indigenous peoples, a unique and visible voice in the world," said Sylva, who met with other native group representatives at the inaugural U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The forum met between May 13 and yesterday to discuss economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights among the world's native peoples.

Established by the U.N. Economic and Social Council in 2000, the group comprises 16 independent experts, including Mililani Trask, an outspoken Hawaii attorney, activist and former trustee at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Trask represents the Pacific Basin and is serving a three-year term. She said the forum will have a difficult time preparing its first report to the council because of the broad scope of the issues discussed.

Trask wants the forum to set up a system where all data relating to indigenous peoples could be compiled and disseminated via the Internet.

U.N. Secretary-general Kofi Annan, in closing statements yesterday, said the forum has moved indigenous issues higher on the international agenda.

"It is entirely appropriate that as victims of discrimination and as some of the world's poorest of the poor, indigenous peoples have a platform where they can raise their concerns," he said.

The forum plans to meet annually in New York and Geneva.