Category: Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Mauna Kea Draft Resolution

Supporting the Protectors of Mauna Kea Who Oppose the Building of the Thirty MeterTelescope (TMT) and Urging the TMT International Observatory Board of GovernorstoWithdraw Plans to Build the TMT on MaunaKea

Whereas, On July 10, 2019, Governor David Ige, UH President David Lassner, and Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory Board of Governors’ Chairman Henry Yang announced that construction for the TMT would begin on July 15, 2019; and

Whereas, Native Hawaiians have overwhelmingly demonstrated their opposition to the construction of the TMT on Mauna Kea in court cases, testimonies, hearings, forums and community meetings; and

Whereas, The TMT International Observatory Board of Directors have the option of building the TMT in the Canary Islands; and

Whereas, Mauna Kea is regarded as the most sacred of places among Native Hawaiians, because Mauna a Ākea is the eldest child of Wākea (Sky Father) and Papa (Earth Mother), progenitors, or ancestors of the native Hawaiian people, and therefore, Mauna Kea is seen as the direct link of Native Hawaiians to their ancestors and their Creation; and

Whereas, Mauna Kea is the home of Nā Akua (the Divine Deities), Nā ‘Aumākua (the Divine Ancestors), and the summit of MaunaKea is the “piko” (wahi pana) which connects Native Hawaiians to their ancestors; and

Whereas, Mauna Kea is a place where Native Hawaiians’ ancestral Gods reside (wao akua), and consequently where Native Hawaiians exercise their traditional and customary religious ceremonies including but not limited to (1) honoring the Māuiki‘iki‘i (solstice) and Māuiili (equinox) throughout the year; and (2) honoring Poli‘ahu (the Snow goddess), Kūkahau, Līlīnoe, and Waiau through worship, chants, and ho‘okupu (gift offering); and

Whereas, Mauna Kea summit area is ceded lands, comprised of Hawaiian kingdom crown and government lands, and is now part of the Public Land Trust; Further, The State of Hawai‘i, as trustee of these lands, is mandated under Article XII §4 and §7 of the Hawai‘i Constitution to (1) protect these lands, and (2) protect the traditional and customary rights of Native Hawaiians which are exercised for subsistence, cultural, and religious purposes;

Whereas, On November 7, 2017, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) filed a lawsuit in the First Circuit court against the State of Hawai‘i and the University of Hawaii (UH) for their longstanding and well-documented mismanagement of Mauna Kea, contrary to the public trust and the terms of UH’s lease of these “ceded” and culturally sacred lands; and

Whereas, There are at least thirteen telescopes on Mauna Kea, a couple of which have been decommissioned, but their facilities still exist on Mauna Kea; and

Whereas, On July 17, 2019, over 30 Native Hawaiians and others, including many kūpuna, were arrested for engaging in a peaceful protest and civil disobedience on Mauna Kea; and

Whereas, Native Hawaiians have endured injustices that have persisted, unaddressed, for over a century, manifested today in systemic inequities that permeate our criminal justice system,

public education institutions, land use and planning decisions, natural and cultural resource management, state funding prioritization, and management and administration of Mauna Kea and other sacred spaces; and

Whereas, historically, this protest is more than just the erection of another telescope on MaunaKea, as it represents a consistent struggle by Native Hawaiians fighting for justice to protect their way of life, including, and not limited to fighting the desecration of lands (ie.

Pōhakuloa, Kahoʻolawe), combatting vandalism (ie. Kūkaniloko, Kaniakapūpū, Prince Kūhiō and King Kamehameha statues, Kawaiahaʻo grave sites); preventing water pollution (ie. Hanapēpē Salt Ponds, Loʻi patches); stopping overdevelopment of lands; preventing overfishing (ie. Mo’omomi, Miloli’i; and

Whereas, The Platform of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, states, in part, “We acknowledge the past injustices and the misguided, harmful Federal and State policies and actions based on outdated and discredited values and beliefs that resulted in the destruction of the Hawaiian Nation’s economies, social, and religious systems, the taking of their lands, and the creation of intergenerational trauma that exists to this day. We believe that we have a moral and profound duty to honor, respect, and uphold our sacred obligation to the Hawaiian Nation State and the Hawaiian people.”; and now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i supports the Protectors of Mauna Kea who oppose the building of the TMT; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus urges the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors to withdraw its’ plans to build the TMT on Mauna Kea; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i respects and supports the rights of protestors pursuant to the Hawai‘i State Constitution and the United States Constitution, Article I, with the right for public assembly and freedom of speech and to ensure those rights under the provisions of law are not infringed.

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be distributed to all members of Hawaii‘s congressional delegation; the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i; the Lt. Governor of the State of Hawai‘i; the Protectors of Mauna Kea; the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors; the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs; the House Committee on Water, Land, and Hawaiian Affairs; the Dept of Land and Natural Resources; the Dept of Hawaiian Home Lands; the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; and the Chair of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.

HAC General Meeting Aug. 21

Aloha e nā hoa,

The next Hawaiian Affairs Caucus meeting is scheduled for August 21, 6:00 p.m. at DPH headquarters. We encourage you to attend or to dial in to this meeting. Dial in number is (712) 451-0200, access code 938390.

Meeting Agenda:

  • Guest speaker, CNHA Chief Executive Officer, Kūhiō Lewis
  • Resolution, “Supporting the Protectors of Mauna Kea Who Oppose the Building of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) and Urging the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors to Withdraw Plans to Build the TMT on Mauna Kea”

The resolution is in response to the overwhelming expression of members at the last membership meeting to support the protectors of Mauna Kea. It emphasizes these points:

  1. The cultural and spiritual values of Mauna Kea to Native Hawaiians
  2. The mismanagement of Mauna Kea as set forth in the OHA lawsuit
  3. The marginalization of Native Hawaiians in decisions concerning its homeland
  4. The desecration or vandalism of other sacred sites or public ceded lands
  5. Urging the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors to Withdraw Plans to Build the TMT on Mauna Kea. Members will be asked to vote either yes or no on the resolution.

To assure that your voices as members of the Caucus are heard, please attend the meeting in person or dial in with your vote. If you are uncertain as to whether you are a member of the Caucus, I urge you to fill out the application form on our website, www.hawaiianaffairs.org and submit it before the meeting. Please also advise our Vice Chair, Raytan Vares, email raytanv@gmail.comthat you have done so.

We should also like to announce the resignation of Kealii Lopez as Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i as she takes on a new job as head of AARP in Hawai’i. We will sorely miss Kealii’s outstanding leadership and wish her well. Those interested in running for Chairperson are invited to contact the Democratic Party of Hawaii headquarters to request a nomination form, email: info@hawaiidemocrats.org. Also, watch for the formal email advising of the application procedures from the DPH.

Lastly, we are pleased to advise that our resolution in support of the Hanapepe Salt Practitioners was adopted unanimously by the State Central Committee. Go to our website to read it.

Leimomi Khan
HAC Chair

Special Message from the State Chair

DPH masthead

Aloha fellow Democrats,

Please join me for a special message from the State Chair, and the following informational and event related notification links:

​

Mahalo for your continued support,

Erynn Fernandez
Executive Director, Democratic Party of Hawai‘i
808-596-2980 | erynn@hawaiidemocrats.org

Protect Paʻakai (Salt) Cultural Practice of Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi

For all:  Mahalo nui loa for all who contributed to this resolution, especially DPH Kauai County Committee Chair Hermina Morita and Malia Nobrega Olivera, President, Hui Hana Pa’akai o Hanapepe.  My pu’uwai was touched yesterday by the unanimous adoption of this resolution by the State Central Committee and the supporting comments made by the Kauai representatives to the SCC, the Vice President of the SCC who hails from Kauai, and HAC SCC representative Ken Farm.  It was not an easy task since we had to get through the hurdle of convincing the SCC that this was a statewide concern so as to allow it to be considered on the meeting agenda for adoption.  As a note, the journey began when I received a petition from Kuulei Santos on the Hanapepe Salt Ponds, subsequently supported by Jean Iida, Kauai representative to the HAC, and discussed with and approved by the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus.   The final resolution as adopted was one that members of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Executive Committee felt they could support and recommend for consideration by the SCC.  Mahalo also to Makana Paris for helping with the diacritical marks of the original version of this resolution.
 
A  “Kākou” effort…mahalo to all.
 
Leimomi

DPH SCC Resolution 2019-1, adopted August 3, 2019

Protect Paʻakai (Salt) Cultural Practice of Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi

Whereas, Article XII §7 of the Hawaiʻi Constitution provides:

The State reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes and possessed by ahupua‘a tenants who are descendants of native Hawaiians who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778, subject to the right of the State to regulate such rights.

Whereas, Waimakaohi‘iaka, in the ʻili of ʻUkulā, in the ahupuaʻa of Hanapēpē, in the moku of Kona or also known as the salt ponds of Hanapēpē is a wahi pana, a culturally significant sacred site specifically for the making of pa‘akai (salt), which has been traditionally cultivated and gathered by Native Hawaiians since time immemorial; and

Whereas, Waimakaohi‘iaka, is the only area in all of Hawaiʻi that continues to harvest paʻakaiusing traditional methods which are passed generation to generation by Native Hawaiian ʻohanawho are exercising their constitutionally protected traditional and customary salt-making knowledge and skills; and

Whereas, In keeping with centuries-old traditions, the paʻakai gathered at this location cannot be bought nor is it sold, but is generously shared or traded by the twenty-two families who are the lineal descendants of past salt-makers whereby this resource is distributed throughout Kauaʻi, statewide, nationally and internationally for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes; and

Whereas, The Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places is an official list of properties that have been recognized for their significance to the history, architecture, archaeology, or culture of Hawai‘i communities; and

Whereas, The Hanapēpē Salt Pans is listed in the State Inventory of Historic Places as SIHP #50-30-09-00049 and was added to the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places on September 30, 1988 and is also recommended for placement in the National Register of Historic Places; and

Whereas, The Waimakaohi‘iaka parcel is zoned Conservation (State Land Use), and is identified as an Open/Special Treatment Resource and Cultural District by the County of Kauaʻi; and

Whereas, Urbanization and commercial and increased recreation activities adjacent to Waimakaohi‘iakaare also causing a storm of other threatening factors such as dust, noise, and potential contamination from sources ranging from an ill-placed helicopter operation sited at Port Allen Airport, also known as Burns Field, and vehicles trying to drive on the beach, to broken beer bottles and trash left by beach users or homeless camps; and

Whereas, The aloha for and threats to this wahi panawere highlighted on June 25, 2019 when the Kauaʻi Planning Commission considered an application submitted by Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc. for after-the-fact permit applications where over 100 people testified in person, over 100 written testimonies were submitted and 24,000+ signatures supported the online petition found at http://change.org/protectpaakai, to protect this last of its kind, salt making in Hanapēpē; and

Whereas, Subsequently, the Kauaʻi Planning Commission is now holding a contested case hearing for the after-the-fact permit applications and granted intervenor status to the Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapēpē, a Native Hawaiian organization organized in 1964, comprised of the 22 ‘ohana that continue the salt-making and gathering practice; and now therefore

Resolved, That the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi stands in solidarity with Hui Hana Paʻakai o Hanapēpē, the salt-makers of Kaua‘i, and urges the following:

  • Kauaʻi Planning Commission reject the after-the-fact permit applications for Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc.;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation move the operations of Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc. from Burns Field to the more appropriate Līhuʻe Airport where all other Kauaʻi helicopter tour businesses operate;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation provide adequate security to discourage illegal trespassing and camping in the areas under its jurisdiction;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the County of Kauaʻi also control, regulate and enforce illegal beach access impacting the salt ponds in the areas under its jurisdictions;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Deparment of Health investigate the restroom facility at Burns Field that is currently utilizing an unpermitted cesspool as stated in their “after the fact” permit applicationʻ
  • all relevant State and County agencies cooperate and collaborate to require the necessary environmental disclosure needed to assess impacts and evaluate the implementation of mitigation measures and/or adequate buffer zones from adjacent, non-compatible uses to ensure the protection and preservation of the Hanapepe Salt Pans

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to all members of Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation, the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, the Lt. Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, the Director of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the Chairperson of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources, the Chairperson of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health, the Kauaʻi Board Member of the State of Hawaii Board of Land & Natural Resources, the Kaua‘i Planning Commission, all members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature who represent Kaua‘i and who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the Mayor of Kaua‘i, all Kaua‘i county elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapēpē.

Resolution to be sent to the following:

The Honorable David Ige
Governor, State of Hawaii
State Capitol
415 S Beretania St #5
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
The Honorable Josh Green
Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaii
State Capitol
415 S Beretania St, 5th Floor 
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
Ms. Jade Butay
Director, Dept of Transportation
State of Hawaii
Aliiaimoku Hale 
869 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813 
 
Ms. Suzanne Case
Chair, Board of Land and Natural Resources
Dept of Land and Natural Resources
Kalanimoku Building
1151 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
Ms. Virginia Presslet, MD
Director, Dept of Health
State of Hawaii
P. O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
 
Ms. Janet Berreman, MD, MPH
Kauai District Health Officer
Dept of Health
3340 Umi Street
Lihue, HI 96766
 
Mr. Ka’aina S. Hull
Director, Kauai County Planning Dept
4444 Rice St #473
Lihue, HI 96766
Mr. Sean Mahoney, Chair
Planning Commission
c/o County of Kauai Planning Dept
4444 Rice Street, Suite A473
Lihue ‘e, Kauai 96766
 
Mr. Thomas Oi
Member, 4th Land District(Kauai)
Dept of Land and Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
Senator Ronald D. Kouchi
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 409
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
 
Representative Nadine K. Nakamura
Hawaii District 14
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 314
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
 
Representative Dee Morikawa
Hawaii District 16
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 434
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Representative James Kunane
Hawaii District 15
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 305
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ms. Malia Nobrega-Olivera
President, Hui Hana Pa’akai o Hanapepe

Glen Ida Golf

September 12, Glenn Ida Memorial Golf Tournament, Pearl Country Club

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The Democratic Party of Hawaii is excited to announce the inaugural Glenn Ida Democratic Party of Hawai’i Golf Tournament ⛳ – a golf tournament in honor of the most dedicated and devoted member and volunteer of the Democratic Party of Hawaii on Thursday, September 12th at 12:00 p.m. at Pearl Country Club in Aiea. The 🏌🏾‍♀️

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Protect Pa‘akai (Salt) Cultural Practice of Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i

Protect Paʻakai (Salt) Cultural Practice of Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi

Whereas, the Salt Ponds of Hanapēpē is a wahi pana(sacred place), that form a rich cultural hub for production of paʻakai (salt), a culturally significant resource traditionally cultivated and gathered by Native Hawaiians since time immemorial; and

Whereas, the Salt Ponds of Hanapēpē is the only area in all of Hawaiʻi that produces paʻakaiin this manner and it is where Native Hawaiian ʻohanacontinue to exercise their constitutionally protected traditional and customary salt making practices; and

Whereas, the cultural practice of making and gathering paʻakaiare passed down from generation to generation and into perpetuity; and

Whereas, the Salt Ponds of Hanapēpē are the only traditional salt production center in existence in the State of Hawai‘i; and

Whereas, the Salt Ponds of Hanapēpē are listed on the Historic Register site #00049 and state site #50-30-09-00049; and

Whereas, Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, doing business as Maverick Helicopters, applied for a Class IV Zoning Permit Application, Use Permit Application, and Special Management Area Minor Permit Application; and

Whereas,the Applicant is seeking After-the-Fact approval for the addition of restroom facilities within the existing hangar, the construction of a detached structure to house the operation’s compressor, the placement of a 12’ x 56’ mobile office trailer to replace the previously approved 8’ x 40’ mobile office trailer, 8’ x 4’ concrete generator pad for a propane gas tank to replace a tank with less capacity, and the relocation of the 8’ x 40’ shipping container to the north side of the hangar for storage. In addition the Applicant is also requesting approval to install a 4’ high chain link fencing and gates within the existing perimeter fencing, installation of 1059 sf of concrete pathways, installation of a septic system, and placement of gravel with an underlayer of fabric for dust abatement in lieu of previously required landscaping; and

Whereas, Smoky Mountain Helicopters and the proposed additional structures are located at the Port Allen Airport that bears a close proximity to the Lo‘i Pa‘akai ‘o ‘Uka ma Hanapēpē and its threats of pollution and chemical runoff have been of particular concern to Native Hawaiian pa‘akaipractitioners; and

Whereas,on June 25, 2019, the Kauaʻi Planning Commission considered the application submitted by Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc.; and

Whereas, the County of Kaua‘i Planning Department recommended that the application be deferred until such time that the applicant addresses deficiencies cited in the report, such as the limited outreach performed by the applicant preventing the Kaua‘i Planning Commission from reasonably protecting the traditional and customary rights of Hawaiians as required by Article XII Section 7 of the State of Hawai‘i Constitution; and

Whereas, on June 25, over 100 people testified in person and the Kauaʻi Planning Commission received over 100 written testimonies urging them to protect the last of its kind, salt making in Hanapēpē, including the 24,000+ signatures supporting the online petition found at http://change.org/protectpaakai; and

Whereas, the Kaua’i Planning Commission subsequently decided to hold a contested case hearing and granted intervenor status to the Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapēpē, a Native Hawaiian organization organized in 1964, made up of the 22 ‘ohana that continue the salt making and gathering practice; and

Whereas, the purpose of establishing rules for the Special Management Area (SMA) is to preserve, protect, and where possible, restore the natural resources of the coastal zone of Hawai‘i, through special controls on shoreline development designed to avoid the permanent loss of valuable resources and the foreclosure of management options; and

Whereas, the SMA Use Permit application process accordingly requires public hearings and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which would provide further opportunities for public and practitioner outreach and input, and otherwise ensure that the applicant meaningfully investigates and discloses any potential environmental impacts of activities underlying the permit, including impacts to natural and cultural resources and cultural practices; and, now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi stands in solidarity with the salt makers of Kaua‘i and urges the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the County of Kauaʻi to protect the cultural practice of gathering and making paʻakaiof Hanapēpē by requiring an EIS be completed to ensure that the applicant meaningfully investigates and discloses any potential environmental impacts of activities underlying the permit, including impacts to the natural and cultural resources and cultural practices, and especially the HanapēpēSalt Ponds;and be it further

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to all members of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation, the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, the Lt. Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, all members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature who represent Kaua‘i and who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the Mayor of Kaua‘i, all Kaua‘i county elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapēpē,

Introduced by: Hawaiian Affairs Caucus; adopted at its general membership meeting,

July 20, 2019, DPH headquarters

HAC E-News

From: Hawaiian Affairs Caucus <hawaiiancaucus@gmail.com>
Date: July 20, 2019 at 12:36:03 PM HST
Subject: HAC e-news

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Hawaiian Affairs Caucus E-News
July 19, 2019

General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, July 24
6:00 p.m.
Democratic Party of Hawaii (DPH) Headquarters (627 South Street)
Originally scheduled for the purpose of cleanup of the DPH headquarters, the meeting will now include time set aside for the purpose of discussing the status of Maunakea.  As information, the HAC Executive Committee issued a statement joining other Native Hawaiian organizations in calling on the Governor of Hawai‘i and the Mayor of Hawai‘i County  to support the Pu‘uhonua and to provide plans that would allow for the voices of Native Hawaiians and others to be heard without putting our people in harms way, and to respect their constitutionally protected rights to peaceably assemble under the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and to practice their traditional and customary rights under Article 12, Sec 7, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution.  Members are encouraged to attend the meeting to share mana’o and to help with cleaning of the DPH.

Hanapēpē Salt Ponds
The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Executive Committee offered for adoption a resolution by the State Central Committee, Democratic Party of Hawai‘i that urges the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the County of Kaua‘i to protect the cultural practice of gathering and making pa‘akai  (salt) at  Hanapēpē, by requiring an Environmental  Impact Statement (EIS) to enable meaningful investigation and disclosure of any potential environmental impacts of activities underlying the permit application from Meverick Helicopter, Smokey Mountain.  The resolution can be found at hawaiianaffairs.org.  

Pohakuloa Lawsuit
The Environmental Caucus and the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus will be hosting an educational forum on July 25, 6:00 p.m.,  on “Pohakuloa”, at the DPH headquarters featuring Native Hawaiian Legal Corp Attorney David Kimo Frankel, Esq.; Jim   Albertini, Maxine Kahaulelio; and Ruth Aloua to discuss Ching et.al. v. William Aila, Jr., DLNR, et.al. RE U.S. Army’s lack of “Malama `Aina” at Pohakuloa Training Area.  Organizer:  Melodie Aduja.  The panel of speakers will essentially discuss the lawsuit brought by these complainants against the Department of Land and Natural Resources for failure to carry out the terms of its 65-year lease agreement to protect public land trust lands at the military-leased Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawai‘i Island when it failed to monitor and investigate the Army’s compliance with lease terms to clean up unexploded ordnance at Pohakuloa. 

Kawaiaha‘o Church Cemetery Headstone Destruction
On July 3, someone vandalized approximately 27 headstones at the Kawaiahao Church Cemetery.  The culprits haven’t been found yet.  Local 1, Bricklayers Union quickly volunteered their help and has been repairing the headstones.  HAC applauds the union and thanks their volunteers.    

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Plans for July 2019 to December 2020
HAC membership approved its plan of goals and objectives for the remainder of this year and 2020.  The Plan can be found at the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus website, hawaiianaffairs.org.  Additionally, it approved as its #1 legislative priority for 2020 the settlement of the Public Land Trust .  At its 2019 county convention, the Oahu County Committee Democrats adopted OC 2019-13: Urging the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to Comply with HRS §10-13.5 that Requires 20 Percent of Public Land Trust Revenue be Given to Native Hawaiians.  

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus New Member Welcome Letter
The HAC developed and will be issuing a new member welcome letter that calls attention to the availability of its bylaws, its website, its meeting dates, times and location, etc.  It has also embarked on reconciling its membership list with that of the DPH database of Democrats interested in the activities of the caucus.  As a note, the Caucus normally posts information on its meetings on the HAC website and notifies members on its internal membership list by email. Until the transition of the DPH database, it had also notified Democrats in the database who expressed interest in the Caucus by email, but since May when the HIDEMS database went down, it has not done so.  We are awaiting instructions on the new capabilities and procedures for sending emails via the new database.  We strongly urge that members sign up to receive notifications posted to the HAC website, hawaiianaffairs.org.  

Database transition
The HIDEMS database has been terminated.  The Democratic Party of Hawaii is now utilizing the DNC vendor (VAN).  The DPH Chair has advised that the DPH membership data is protected and not shared and that a FAQ sheet is being prepared to answer questions about the database.  As a side note, for caucuses, only the Chair, 1VC and the secretary have access per the DPH database access policy. Until email capability using the DPH database is restored, communications with those interested in Hawaiian Affairs, but who are not members of the HAC, may be delayed.  Highly encourage the use of the HAC website, www.hawaiianaffairs.org  to be kept informed.

Presidential Preference Poll 2020
The SCC has adopted the Delegate Selection Plan for 2020, a copy of which can be found at the Democratic Party of Hawaii (DPH) website at hawaiidemocrats.org.  Two significant changes for 2020:  Ranked Choice Voting and Mail Ballots with on-site voting also available at about 20 locations.  Critical to the success of the mail ballots is that the address for all Democrats be accurate in the database.  Thus, if you have moved, be sure to notify the DPH to correct your mailing address.  Additionally, as earlier announced, the system of using vote by mail will cost about $225,000.  Membership donations to this effort are encouraged.  The HAC started a Kukui Hui ($1000) and we are about 75% there with donations that have been made thus far.  Good work members!  Mahalo nui loa.  If you haven’t sent in your donation, it’s not too late.  Mail to Democratic Party of Hawaii headquarters, 627 South Street, Ste 105, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, make a note on your check HAC PPP Kukui Hui.  

HAC Calendar of Events, July-December 2019
Mark your calendar and plan to attend these activities.  For updates, consult the HAC website, hawaiianaffairs.org.  

July 24, 6:00 p.m., DPH Housekeeping clean up day 

July 25, 6:00 p.m., “Pohakuloa”, DPH Headquarters, featuring NHLC Attorney David Kimo Frankel, Esq.; Jim Albertini, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmw70hRQsx0; Maxine Kahaulelio; and Ruth Aloua to discuss Ching et.al. v. William Aila, Jr., DLNR, et.al. RE U.S. Army’s lack of “Malama `Aina” at Pohakuloa Training Area.  Hosted by Environmental Caucus; Hawaiian Affairs Caucus.  Lead is Melodie Aduja.   

August 21, 6:00 p.m., Joint HAC Executive Committee and General Membership Meeting, DPH headquarters, Guest speaker, Kuhio Lewis, CNHA  

August 31, 5:00 p.m., Pikake Room, Blaisdell, $50 donation, Pupus and Politics

September 4, 6:00 p.m., HAC Executive Committee Meeting, DPH Headquarters 

September 12, Glenn Ida Memorial Golf Tournament, Pearl City Country Club

September 21-25, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) Convention

October 2, HAC Executive Committee Meeting, 6:00 p.m., DPH Headquarters 

October 23, 6:00 p.m., HAC General Membership Meeting, DPH Headquarters; guest speaker OHA – PLT and OHA Strategic Plan (To be confirmed) 

November 6, 6:00 p.m., HAC EC and General Membership Combined Meeting, DPH headquarters, guest speaker DHHL (To be confirmed)

December 4, 6:00 p.m., HAC Executive Committee Meeting 

December 11, 6:00 p.m., HAC Holiday Party

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Why Hawaiians Won’t Go Away

“Why Hawaiians Won’t Go Away”

By Lei Kihoi, Esq.
(Kailua Kona resident)

Today, I took food and water to kokua our Protectors of Maunakea at Pu’uhuluhulu—the Pu’uhonua at Maunakea. This is the “encampment” of Native Hawaiian Protectors of Maunakea for both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians who believe, as I do—that our Maunakea is sacred.

At this site, volunteers provided cooks, food, water, shelter, care for the elderly and young, traffic control, legal observers, food and water runners, first aid, masseurs. These volunteers are devoted to the task of providing a comfortable, stable environment to all Protectors so that they can continue the struggle for justice. Most importantly, everyone, Hawaiian or non-Hawaiians were embraced with “Aloha.”

Approximately, 600 people and their cars were lined up, along the highway with children and adults gathered in groves on Maunakea Access Road— the entry to Maunakea. The mood was happy, serious, somber, jovial, intense.

It was an extremely emotional day for me. Why? As a young law student in the mid-70’s during the Kaho’olawe movement, I was one of the “background Protectors” of Kaho’olawe.

Yes, we considered and consider Kaho’olawe sacred. To see the United States of America use our Kaho’olawe for bombing practice. was painful and sacrilegious to me and all of us!

The frontline people were the real heroes:. Walter Ritte, George Helm, Kawaipuna Prejean, Ian Lind, Dr. Emmett Aluli, , Stephen K. Morse, Kimo Aluli, Ellen Miles, and Karla Villalba. By occupying our beloved Kaho’olawe to prevent further bombing and desecration, they risked their lives for justice.

The rest of us, kept the momentum alive “on the ground.” No cell phones. No Facebook. No Instagram. No “go fund” me. No computers. But we did it. Together, We stopped the “feds” from bombing Kaho’olawe.

Do I have hope that we will stop the desecration today? Yes, I do. Why? Because, Hawaiians, will never go away.

About 20 to 30 notable front line kupuna (elders) lined the ranks today Among them, Walter Ritte, Momi Greene, Gwen Kim—who are kupuna, among others, who are not new to standing up for what is pono (what is right). Our kupuna represent our past and our future. Seeing our beloved kupuna, laying their lives on the line was a heart wrenching experience for me, today.

And what about our ‘opio? Our youth? A significant number of them were present today. Happiness. These young people— continue to be well versed in our history, culture, traditions, and our language, and more importantly, what is pono. They are our past and our future, as well. This is why Hawaiians will never go away.

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Calls For Support of Pu’uhonua and Plans To Allow Voice of Native Hawaiian and Others To Be Heard On Maunakea

Leimomi Khan, Chair, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, recently released the following statement:  "The Governor has stated, “We respect those who oppose the project and their rights to peaceably assemble and to protest in an orderly and civil manner.”  Yet, all we have seen and heard about are law enforcement plans.  Thus, we call on the Governor and the Mayor of Hawaii to support the Pu’uhonua and to provide plans that would allow for the voices of Native Hawaiians and others to be heard without putting our people in harms way, and to respect their constitutionally protected rights to peaceably assemble under the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and to practice their traditional and customary rights under Article 12, Sec 7, of the Hawaii State Constitution.”

General Meeting July 10

General Meeting & Executive Committee

July 10 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

All meetings are held at the Democratic Party of Hawaii headquarters, commencing at 6:00 p.m.  Members may recommend agenda items for consideration by not later than 14 days prior to the meeting.  Send to leimomikhan@gmail.com.