Elections slated for
Hawaiian delegatesThe OHA leader says the climate
is right for a native government
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has selected Jan. 17, the anniversary of the Hawaiian monarchy's overthrow 111 years ago, as the date to kick off enrollment in a process designed to replace the state agency with a new native Hawaiian government.
On that date, people of Hawaiian ancestry can begin signing up for the election of delegates to an aha, or convening group, that will begin discussion on the design of the Hawaiian government.
OHA trustees agreed to the date at a board meeting Monday. They also agreed to a timeline for the election and convention. The anticipated date of the convention will be in September or October, said Clyde Namuo, OHA administrator.
The election was supposed to happen last month. But that was delayed to sometime near the end of summer to amend the federal Akaka bill so it includes eligibility requirements for participation in the establishment of a native Hawaiian governing body, Namuo said.
The Akaka bill, named for U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who introduced the legislation, seeks federal recognition of a native Hawaiian government -- the same kind of political recognition afforded to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The bill remains stalled in Congress.
The state began a similar process to establish a native Hawaiian government in 1993. Hawaii lawmakers passed a law to create the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission and to conduct a referendum.
Following the vote, a nonprofit organization conducted elections for delegates to a constitutional convention. But due to lack of funding and opposition by native Hawaiian organizations, the convention was never held and the effort died.
OHA Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona believes this new effort to form a native Hawaiian government will find greater success.
"The political and social climates have changed," Apoliona said.
She said Hawaiians who opposed the earlier state effort are willing now to establish some form of Hawaiian government in light of legal challenges to programs designed to benefit native Hawaiians.
The Akaka bill was drafted after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a state law limiting participation in OHA elections to voters of Hawaiian ancestry.
Hawaiians opposed the earlier effort, claiming that it was an attempt by the state to usurp Hawaiians' right to self-determination. The state initiated the effort and provided initial funding.
Apoliona said that while OHA is a state agency, it does not intend to control the convention or dictate the form of government selected. And she said the money it will use to conduct the election and convention will come from the agency's share of the revenues of ceded or former crown lands.
"The funds we'll be using is not taxpayer money," she said.