DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs began registering voters yesterday for an election to choose delegates who could form a new native Hawaiian government. OHA trustee Colette Machado, left, Lingle administration Chief of Staff Bob Awana, Mahealani Kamau'u and trustee Dante Carpenter were among those who registered in front of Aliiolani Hale.
Vote registration for
Hawaiian convention startsThe OHA-organized election
will choose delegates to consider
sovereignty issues
On the 111th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy yesterday, the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs began registering voters for an election to choose delegates who could form a new native Hawaiian government.
The ceremonies were held in front of the King Kamehameha statue and Aliiolani Hale, the Supreme Court building where Stanford Dole announced the end of the monarchy on Jan. 17, 1897.
Across the street at Iolani Palace, another group of native Hawaiians also marked the occasion with speeches and ceremonies, but had a different view of how to restore a sovereign Hawaiian government.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs hopes to enroll at least 100,000 native Hawaiian voters for the election.
Delegates would be responsible for forming a new native Hawaiian government and outlining its relationship with the U.S. government.
OHA Administrator Clyde Namuo said an advisory council, composed of representatives from 28 native Hawaiian organizations with differing platforms, will decide when the election will be held, its format and how delegates would proceed once elected.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona was among the first group of about 20 people to sign registration forms.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Dancers from Manu Boyd's hula halau performed yesterday during ceremonies in front of the King Kamehameha statue and Aliiolani Hale.
Aiona, a strong supporter of the Akaka bill, which would grant federal recognition to native Hawaiians, said the election "is trying to bring everybody together."
"I think something has to be done quicker and sooner than later."
But Kealii Makekau, a former representative for the Reinstated Hawaiian Kingdom Government, which co-sponsored events yesterday at Iolani Palace with the Living Nation, said he's unsure that the OHA-backed election will have room for any form of Hawaiian sovereignty but the one outlined in the Akaka Bill.
"That's (the election) just pathetic. There is a road other than federal recognition to achieving justice," he said. "They (OHA) are definitely assisting the process" toward federal recognition.
Makekau later crossed King Street to the OHA registration ceremony along with about 20 other sovereignty activists, some of whom were holding signs, to show their opposition for the election and the Akaka Bill.
"We went over there to show (that) there are Hawaiians out there not in favor of federal recognition," he said.
Hailama Farden, a member of the Hawaiian society Hale O Na Alii O Hawaii, said he registered for the election so that native Hawaiians will have the "ability to make a decision as a people."
"We need to begin to move forward," he said. "It's too long. One-hundred-and-eleven years is too long."
Namuo said while OHA is organizing the election, it will not control it.
"It really is intended to be a broad-based community effort," he said. "We want all Hawaiians to participate."
Namuo said voters in the election must have some amount of Hawaiian blood, which is verifiable through certified copies of birth, marriage or death certificates.
Registration forms for the election are available at OHA's offices and the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Interested residents can also contact Hawaii Maoli, which is holding the completed forms, at 394-0050.
