OHA plans hands-off help in nation-building

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees, standing alongside some of their critics, announced Thursday they will help facilitate and fund steps to "build a Hawaiian nation" once the Native Hawaiian Roll is complete but stay neutral in the effort.

The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission has gathered 107,039 names for an official registry of Hawaiians so they can come together to form a governing entity. It is in the process of confirming their ancestry.

Some Hawaiians have refused to sign up, saying it would relegate Hawaiians to the status of a Native American tribe and preclude the option of independence.

Trustees emphasized that the outcome is not preordained and that the model of government will be left up to those who participate. As part of its effort to bring people together, OHA called for the Native Hawaiian Roll to be reopened to give folks another chance to sign up.

The deadline was in January.

"This is different from past OHA efforts," said trustee Haunani Apoliona, chair-woman of an ad hoc governance committee. "We will remain neutral and ensure that the people can provide meaningful input on the process and that the outcomes reflect the will of the Native Hawaiian people."

"Simply put, our commitment is to provide support by letting Native Hawaiians determine the desired outcome," she said.

OHA trustees were joined at a news conference by a range of Hawaiian leaders, including some who have been critical of the agency or the commission. Among those attending were Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, a pioneer in the sovereignty movement who leads Puuhonua o Waimanalo, and Molokai activist Walter Ritte.

"The words are good, the door is open, so I’m hoping," Ritte said afterward. "I want to see the action.I’m hoping OHA is going to be able to bridge the gap and connect with their community. What I really like about what happened today is OHA now is willing to accept and celebrate the diversity within the community instead of trying to say who’s right and who’s wrong."

The commission, a separate entity funded by the state, plans to release a draft registry this month to allow changes and challenges before the certified list is published. The draft will include the name, year of birth and city of residence. The list incorporated previous registries of Native Hawaiians, with a provision to opt out.

Once the roll is published, the commission is supposed to dissolve in June, leaving it up to those on the registry to decide on their path toward self-government.

According to a statement from OHA, the next steps could involve an independent election of delegates to convene a Governance Aha, or gathering, where delegates could propose the form and principles for a governing entity.

When the commission disbands, OHA will accept custody of the roll and use it as a basis for verifying eligibility to vote or run in delegate elections or vote in any referendum on the form of the governing entity.

"OHA will not undermine the future Governing Entity’s inherent right to determine its membership criteria," the agency said.

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who led the battle for federal recognition in Congress, attended the event. Also there was kumu hula Hina Wong-Kalu, who has not signed the roll, but came to support OHA’s inclusive approach.

"I’m all for positive working rapport with all Hawaiians," she said. "But my primary question is, If I or any other Hawaiian does not sign with the roll commission, what is the implication for the inclusion of our views in moving forward?"

Kamanaopono Crabbe, OHA’s ka pouhana, or chief executive officer, said the amount of funding OHA will provide has not been determined. The agency will team up with entities such as the alii trusts, royal societies and other Native Hawaiian institutions.

"Make sure you get this right," OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado urged the media. "Hawaiians are now moving forward and we stand united."

In a symbol of that solidarity, the crowd joined hands to sing "Ka Nai Aupuni," a traditional song of Hawaiian unity, at OHA’s new headquarters on Nimitz Highway.

CORRECTION: The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission has gathered 107,039 names for an official registry of Hawaiians. An earlier version of this story reported that the registry had 170,000 names.