Vol. 22, No. 5 Ka Wai Ola o OHA – The Living Water of OHA Mei (May) 2005 A conceptual draft of what an OHA headquarters and Hawaiian cultural center might look like at the Kaka‘ako waterfront site. While the boardroom, an outdoor performance actual design is likely to change, the complex is intended to include outdoor areas for cultural practice. Illustration: Courtesy of Architects Hawai‘i area, a food service court and an adjacent 180-stall parking lot. The complex would also include 60,000 OHA proposes new Hawaiian center square feet of office space for OHA and other organizations. $32-million waterfront complex would include offices and cultural center Wesley Kaiwi Nui Yoon, an architect OHA contracted to develop the By Sterling Kini Wong now begin more studies on the fea- “Many other groups have their own project’s preliminary plan, said that sibility of the site and will eventu- community centers, and it’s about time he used Hawaiian culture to guide his n April, OHA presented a ally provide a development plan to Hawaiians got their own, too. But this conceptual design of the complex. preliminary proposal to build a $32- its Board of Trustees for approval. isn’t just for Hawaiians, it’s for all “Hawaiian culture is very deep, and Imillion complex on the Kaka‘ako The agency would then present a for- of Hawai‘i.” the cultural nuances should be reflected waterfront that would include the first mal proposal to HCDA, which would The complex would serve as a multi- in the design of the project,” Yoon said, Hawaiian cultural center in the state and be followed by either lease or land functional location for a variety of adding that the project’s design was office space for the agency and other acquisition negotiations. Hawaiian activities. It would provide inspired by the Kumulipo genealogy Hawaiian organizations. Nämu‘o said that if everything goes space for people to practice and learn chant. “People will see that the building The directors of the state’s Hawai‘i smoothly, the proposed complex could about different aspects of Hawaiian isn’t just beautiful, but that it also Community Development Authority, be completed in 2 1/2 years. culture, including lua (martial arts), has meaning.” which manages the Kaka‘ako district, “The center is an excellent hula, navigation, kalo farming and While the outdoor facilities would have heard the proposal and gave OHA the opportunity for Hawaiians to have a traditional cooking using an imu. The obvious Hawaiian cultural elements, green light to proceed. Administrator place of their own, a place where proposed three-story complex would such as taro patches and a canoe house, Clyde Nämu‘o said that OHA will their culture can thrive,” Nämu‘o said. include conference space, an OHA See CENTER on page 5 since then, not including smaller meetings components to nationhood, there is some Native Hawaiian Coalition held on individual islands. The mission of disagreement over the group’s future. At an the coalition is to “establish a process that OHA board meeting in March, Administrator will provide the Hawaiian people with a Clyde Nämu‘o told the trustees that he defines steps to nationhood mechanism for achieving self-governance believes the coalition has satisfied its Voter registration, elections and a constitutional convention through self-determination.” Members of mission, and that the question now is who the diverse group include advocates for should be responsible for implementing the are among components in building a native government complete Hawaiian independence, nation- nation-building process. within-a-nation status and the reinstatement “Whoever is tasked with implementing By Sterling Kini Wong a wide range of sovereignty interests. of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. these steps must have strict management The Native Hawaiian Coalition initially OHA facilitates the coalition by providing and be held accountable,” he said. “Will egistration of voters, elections and a drafted the components at its December funding for meeting facilities and travel it be the coalition? I don’t know. But it is constitutional convention are among meeting and then further refined them expenses for members. To date, OHA has important that the community determines it. Rthe eight components in building a in February. spent more than $120,000 in support of OHA cannot simply take it over.” Native Hawaiian government that have been The statewide coalition was formed in the effort. While several trustees expressed identified by a grassroots group representing February 2004 and has convened six times Now that the coalition has identified the See COALITION on page 7 IN THIS ISSUE Ka Wai Ola o OHA While federal legislators assess the Akaka Office of Hawaiian Affairs Bill’s chances of passage, state lawmakers 711 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Ste. 500 ponder its implications, including ceded Honolulu, HI 96813-5249 PAGE lands and blood quantum issues. 5 See stories on page 5. Waimea Valley slowly regains its natural splendor after nearly two years of environmental management by the National Audubon Society. PAGE See story on page 9. 9 K L K EO AIÄULU KA LEO KAIÄULU LETTERS TO THE EDITOR So bottom line Trustee Dela Cruz, testing in the 21st century, and DNA Bissen vote do not assume to be an advocate science has come a long way. DNA Board of Trustees for Hawaiian Home Lands if you science can greatly help the people Kudos to Sen. Clayton Hee on don’t have all your facts together. of Hawaiian ancestry and the people his Richard Bissen vote. Shame on Sometimes attaining those facts might of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. Please Haunani Apoliona Bissen for his selective memory and be difficult for you if you haven’t spent stand and be counted. The dark times Chairperson, Trustee, At-large reluctance to be forthcoming about his most of your life with some of those are over. courtroom indiscretions. Tel: 808.594.1886 evictees as neighbors, particularly the As Hawaiian inmates of the recently Fax: 808.594.1875 Bernard Olsen family. Keoni R. May Email: [email protected] beleaguered Brush Correctional Facility in Colorado, we were Scarsdale, New York Maj. Penny Kalua John D. Waihe‘e IV dismayed to learn that Bissen is the Baghdad, Iraq Vice Chair, Trustee, At-large acting director of the state Department Mauna Roy of Public Safety. The outlook for DPS Tel: 808.594.1838 is dismal at best when it inherits the Fax: 808.594.0208 Cultural center I am writing this as a tribute to David Email: [email protected] cast-offs from the more honorable and “Mauna” Kahelemauna Roy, a highly prestigious appointments. The Hawaiian cultural center sounds honored kupuna of Keauhou, who has Rowena Akana As more evidence surfaces here at wonderful. We wish you luck in the recently passed on. His stewardship Trustee, At-large BCF of sexual misconduct by staff and process of bringing it to Kaka‘ako, of many of our sacred temples is an with the recent firing of employees and we are looking forward to visiting example of his perseverance. While Tel: 808.594.1860 with criminal records, the climate for Fax: 808.594.0209 it and experiencing all that it offers. he was an accomplished man in many Email: [email protected] us Hawaiians is frightening at best. We were thrilled last weekend to be fields of study, his love was sharing What does Bissen have to say about able to see the Merrie Monarch Hula the history of Hawai‘i. He served our Dante Keala Carpenter this? He told Hawai‘i press that the Festival as it happened on KITV 4. country in war and served Hawai‘i Trustee, O‘ahu DPS is not planning to launch its This, to us, is another way that the island as a solid pöhaku and leader in own investigation into the incidents Tel: 808.594.1854 generous people of Hawai‘i share so his own right. Fax: 808.594.0210 because they are satisfied so far much with others. The three nights One of his missions was to preserve Email: [email protected] with the investigations conducted by were beautiful and moving. So much our sacred lands and their ancient rites. Colorado authorities. work and commitment has gone into Through his relentless efforts he held Donald B. Cataluna Oh, that’s right! Bissen has already making this a wonderful experience for back greedy developers. ‘Onipa‘a. His Trustee, Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau revealed (or not) his overzealousness anyone who cares for things Hawaiian. diligence, hard work and mostly his for prosecution, why on earth would We are listening to Hawaiian music aloha for Hawai‘i and her people Tel: 808.594.1881 he step in to stick up for a bunch of Fax: 808.594.0211 playing on KINE-105.1 FM. We will be deeply missed. But we must Email: [email protected] female Hawaiian inmates who are miss being in Hawai‘i and hope to keep the torch burning. Mahalo to his 3,000 miles away from home. Auë! return soon. gracious wife, daughters, grand-and Linda K. Dela Cruz great-grandchildren. His legacy and Trustee, Hawai‘i Annette Cummings Phyllis and Lanny Younger vision will live through you and others Brush, Colorado that had the privilege to learn from Tel: 808.594.1855 New Lenox, Illinois Fax: 808.594.1883 this great man. Email: [email protected] DHHL evictee Hawaiian DNA Puna Kihoi Colette Y. Machado Via the Internet Trustee, Moloka‘i and La¯na‘i I am writing in response to Linda This is in regards to the letter in Dela Cruz’s August 2004 column.