Ex-Gov. Waihee issues call for Native Hawaiian unity

To celebrate, to remember, to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and stand together despite differences.

That’s why the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission hosted the Huli-a-Mahi celebration Sunday at Iolani Palace, said its chairman, former Gov. John Wai­hee.

The day’s festivities included music, hula, poetry, cultural exhibits and keiki activities to honor Queen Liliu­oka­lani.

"It was just three days and 120 years ago — for many of us just two generations ago — that our queen was illegally overthrown right here on this ground," Wai­hee told the large crowd gathered on chairs and blankets on the palace lawn. "We are here to remember that. … It’s our kule­ana to make sure that we never ever forget. Kupaa. Kupaa. We are standing firm."

The event also made available laptop computers and paper forms for people who identify as Hawaiian to register with the roll commission. Since its inception in 2011, the commission has created the Kanai­olo­walu initiative to compile a roll of Native Hawaiians who might one day come together as a governing entity. The initiative sponsored Sunday’s events.

"It recognizes the Native Hawaiians as indigenous people," Wai­hee said of the state recognition bill that became law and established the commission. "It recognizes their unrelinquished sovereignty, which the importance of that is that Hawaiian issues are now treated as a matter of nationality instead of race."

Ellen Kama of Kaneohe, who was born and raised on Oahu, registered Sunday for the roll.

The 51-year-old said she heard about the event on the radio and wanted to be involved.

"It’s all of us getting reunited," she said.

Maui state Rep. Kani­ela Ing (D, Kihei-Wai­lea-Makena) attended the event with his girlfriend, Sara Oha­shi, who signed a petition as a non-Hawaiian supporter of Native Hawaiian sovereignty.

"The missing piece is that the Hawaiians don’t have a group to say, ‘We will be recognized if recognition occurs,’ " Ing explained to her. "The purpose of this roll commission is to establish that base of people."

Ing said he believes state recognition has put Hawaiians in a better position to get federal recognition.

"I think it means unification despite any political differences," he said. "It’s important to at least say, ‘Hey, we’re in this together,’ and I think it helps tremendously with our case for federal recognition."

Waihee told the audience that it’s important to unify and celebrate sovereignty, even though Hawaiians have differing opinions about it.

"If we all agreed, do you know what it would be called?" he asked the audience. "Boring."

He continued, "You see, we may not all agree on every issue, but we agree on our source. … Hawaii has been ours for over 100 generations, and it will be ours for another 100 or more. So today we celebrate that — we celebrate our unity. Our unity is our source; our unity is the gift that our queen gave us."

The event was broadcast live by Oiwi TV and streamed online at www.hawaiianroll.org/live.

Anyone interested in registering with the roll or signing the petition can visit kanai­olo­walu.org or call 594-0088 to request a form.