Aloha e nā hoa,

I hope you’re having a wonderful Kamehameha holiday weekend! Here are a few updates from the Caucus:

Congratulations to Kealiʻi Lopez on her election to the position of Party Chair! Chair Lopez ran on a platform of creating a place of collaboration, building a strong organization, honoring diversity. She said she looks forward to having more of Hawaii’s residents seeing the Democratic Party as a broad spectrum of people united in fostering a better future. We wish her the best and we will be there every step of the way to see you and our Party succeed.

Vacant HAC SCC Position
With the elevation of Kealiʻi Lopez to Party Chair, the HAC State Central Committee Representative (non-male) became vacant. Nominations are being solicited now to fill the vacant position for the term July 2018 to March 2020 (see HAC bylaws, Article VI, Section 6B(3), Vacancies). Members are encouraged to apply.

A complete description of the duties and qualifications for this position can be found in the HAC bylaws posted on its website, www.hawaiianaffairs.org. In summary, the HAC SCC representative attends HAC and SCC meetings, prepares necessary reports to the SCC and the Caucus, and carries out the responsibilities outlined in the Democratic Party of Hawai’i Constitution and Bylaws. To apply:

1. Provide a brief written statement certifying that you meet the qualifications as described on the nomination form and required by the HAC bylaws.
2. Complete the Nomination Form (downloadable at hawaiianaffairs.org) and email it along with the written statement to Rhonda Roldan, Chair of the Nominations Committee, at, rhondar8@gmail.com, or mail to the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, c/o Democratic Party of Hawaii,  P.O. Box 2041, Honolulu, Hawaii 96805. To be considered, the form must be received by not later than July  9, 2018.
3. DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
4. https://drive.google.com/open?id=12W422_uO7GqQeD4EPNApygnYUVMS6HjT

Per the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus bylaws, the Executive Committee will select a replacement from among the nominations received to fill the remainder of the term. This will be done at its meeting scheduled for July 17, 2018, 6:00 p.m. at the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i headquarters.

Future Meeting Dates/Times
The HAC Executive Committee has set the Executive Committee and General Membership meeting dates and times for CY 2018:

All meetings will be held at the Party headquarters at 6:00 p.m. Agenda will be posted to the DPH and HAC websites. Meetings are open to Democratic Party of Hawaii members, though voting is limited to actual members of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus. To join the caucus, go to: hawaiianaffairs.org, click on “About – Membership” to access the membership application form. 

Mahalo,
Leimomi Khan
Chair, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Convention Report for the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

In the face of the disasters experienced by our Waimanalo, Kauai and Hawai‘i ohana these past few months, we are reminded of the words of an ancient mele, “Pu‘uonioni”, that says, “Mālama I Ke Kanaka, A He Pua Lahaʻole” (“Take care of your people, for they are the rarest of flowers.”)  The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus cares about these communities and applauds their strength and resilience.

Congratulations to the Hawai‘i County Committee for hosting this year’s convention.  Your work in the face of adversity is commendable and appreciated.  Congratulations and mahalo also to the DPH leadership and staff and the SCC Convention Co-Chairs and Committee for your diligence in bringing us a great convention.

In line with its mission, the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus invites everyone to attend its educational forum, titled, “Traditional and Customary Native Hawaiian Practices” featuring the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Mr. Joshua Lanakila Mangauil, cultural practitioner and Hawai‘i island resident. Join us on Friday, May 25, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Waikoloa.

The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus supports and promotes the cultural values of aloha, mālama ‘āina, ho‘okipa, kuleana and pono, in alignment with the values of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.  We seek to address issues of self-determination responsibilities and rights, protection of Hawaiian cultural practices and sacred sites, pono economic development, distribution of wealth to those segments of society most in need, protection of Hawai‘i’s natural resources (on the ‘āina and in the kai), housing, health, education, and accountability of public servants identified as Democrats to the mission and goals of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Since the last convention, we have conducted monthly meetings of the Executive Committee and quarterly meetings of our membership; tracked, testified and advocated for over 100 bills in the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions, got the National Platform amended to include a statement on Native Hawaiians, testified at Office of Hawaiian Affairs meetings, and served on various SCC Committees.  We also periodically sponsored educational forums and cultural outings.  Our focus has primarily been on bills concerning appropriations for Native Hawaiian programs, housing, education, health and the environment.

As elections approach, we will host candidate forums, especially for those running for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; invite candidates for all political offices to share their platform and post to our website; and encourage voter turnout.

In closing, we wish to honor Senator Daniel Akaka and send our sincerest condolences to aunty Millie and their family. Moe me ka maluhia lani, Uncle Danny.

HAC Chair’s Forum from Blaine Fergerstrom on Vimeo.

Aloha e nā hoa,

This is a reminder that there will be a general membership meeting this evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi headquarters. Election of new officers for the 2018-2020 term will highlight tonight’s agenda. Please arrive early as we will start on time.

Mahalo,
HAC Executive Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2018

Media Contact:
David Kimo Frankel
Ph: (808) 345-5451
Email: davidkimofrankel@hawaiiantel.net

JUDGE RULES THE STATE BREACHED ITS TRUST DUTY AT PŌHAKULOA

(Honolulu,HI) In a bombshell ruling, a circuit court judge has ruled that the Department of Land and Natural Resources breached its trust duty to mālama ‘āina with respect to the lands the state leases to the U.S. Army at the Pōhakuloa Training Area, located on the island of Hawai‘i. Circuit Court Judge Gary Chang issued an order requiring the department to inspect the area to ensure that the Army is complying with the terms of the lease it entered into in August 1964. He also barred the department from entering into a new lease until the board of land and natural resources renders a written determination that the Army is complying with the terms of the existing lease, which expires in August 2029.

In August 1964, the federal government and the new State of Hawai`i signed a 65-year lease allowing the Army to use 22,971 acres of state land at Pōhakuloa for one dollar. The lease required the Army to “make every reasonable effort to . . . remove or deactivate all live or blank ammunition upon completion of a training exercise or prior to entry by the said public, whichever is sooner” and to “remove or bury all trash, garbage or other waste materials.”

In April 2014, Clarence Ching and Maxine Kahaulelio, represented by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, sued the department of land and natural resources for its failure to monitor whether the United States complied with the terms of the Lease. At a trial in 2015, Ching and Kahaulelio demonstrated that military debris, including unexploded ordnance, is scattered across the landscape.

Judge Chang found that the department of land and natural resources has been “aware that military training activities on [Pōhakuloa] pose a significant and substantial risk of harm or damage” to state lands.” He also found that the department’s failure to perform its duties “has harmed, impaired, diminished, or otherwise adversely affected [Ching and Kahaulelio’s] cultural interests in [Pōhakuloa].”

The court concluded that the department of land and natural resources has an affirmative “duty to mālama ‘āina.” “While the principle rests on firm precedent, this is the first time a court has used this term to describe the state’s duties” according to David Kimo Frankel, one of the attorneys in the case. Clarence Ching added, “Everything we do is for the ‘āina.”

(see attached)

• NHLC Ching Release
• Court Ruling

###

About the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation:

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, public-interest law firm with a practice that is concentrated in the area of Native Hawaiian Rights law. NHLC provides legal assistance to families and communities engaged in perpetuating the culture and traditions of Hawai`i’s indigenous people. Founded by several grass roots leaders in 1974, NHLC was initially a volunteer-run referral service. The high demand for direct help, especially from families in need of legal assistance to protect their ancestral lands, transformed NHLC into a law firm that now provides legal help to approximately 400 clients annually. For more information, visit www.nhlchi.org

Aloha e nā hoa,

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus members are encouraged to attend this Saturday’sforum on candidates running for Congressional districts one and two. Details as follows:

Congressional Forum:  The LGBT, Labor, and Hawaiian Affairs Caucuses are hosting a Congressional District candidate forum this Saturday, March 17, 10:00 a.m., at the DPH Headquarters, 627 South Street, Ste 105, Honolulu. Doors open @ 9:15 am. Please attend.

The forum will feature:
Congressional District 1 candidates Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Representative Kaniela Ing, and Lieutenant Governor Doug Chinn.

Congressional District 2 candidates Sherry Campagna and Representative Tulsi Gabbard (pending acceptance of invitation).

Talk Story: After the forum we will have a gathering to provide all the candidates, that can stay, time to talk story with the audience. Light refreshments will be served.

Audience: This forum is open to all members of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i as well as the general public.

Dial-in Number: If you can’t make it in person we will be using the DPH’s video-conference system as well as broadcasting via Facebook Live.

Teleconference: Dial-in Number: (712) 451-0200 Access Code: 938390

Video conference: Online Meeting Link: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/dph2017
Online Meeting ID: dph2017

Me ke aloha pumehana,
Leimomi Khan
HAC Chair