HANA, Maui » Testimony often turned confrontational Saturday as East Maui residents voiced strong opposition to the possibility of federal recognition for Native Hawaiians at the first of three U.S. Department of the Interior meetings scheduled on the Valley Isle.
Many of the roughly 100 people who signed up to speak during the hearing at Hana High and Elementary School said they still feel wronged by the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom and demanded the United States deoccupy the islands rather than attempt to facilitate re-establishing a government-to-government relationship with Native Hawaiians.
Several people identified themselves as Hawaiian subjects, saying they are not American citizens. Others said they were motivated to speak on behalf of ancestors who had signed the 1897 petition against annexation.
Russell Kahookele, who identified himself as an elected representative of the lawful Hawaiian government, offered federal officials plumeria lei before taking them to task for what he called a host of injustices.
"Now that I got the aloha part out (of the way)," he said, "I object to this hearing. … You guys asking us if we should take the first step after 100 years and then some, now you like take the first step to do what? Recognize us as Indians?
"You guys represent the government that wen’ apologize to us for the illegal actions. Now you going come and ask us if we still like your help? For what? More illegal activities? No!" he shouted.
As others spoke, audience members shouted in support: "Ku‘e!" (resist or protest) and "Hewa!" (mistake or crime). A few kupuna chanted forcefully in Hawaiian.
Amid signs that read "Deoccupy Hawaii" and "Seized not Ceded," people argued that the U.S. has no authority or jurisdiction over Hawaii.
"United States stole it in 1893 and didn’t give it back," said David Kaeo Prais. "Just give it back. Plain and simple: Stop being criminals."
Sol Church added, "What you are doing here today is called potential racketeering. It is a war crime. The people who caused the problem are coming up with a fake solution. For the U.S. to facilitate anything is illegal."
There were some light moments amid the animosity.
Kapala Novikoff used his allotted speaking time to lead everyone packed into the town’s school cafeteria in singing "Hawaii Pono‘i."
Local comedian Bu La‘ia (Shawn Hill) stepped up to the mic and started singing in falsetto Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole’s classic "Hawaii ’78," which elicited laughter from the crowd.
"Cry for the gods, cry for the people, cry for the land that was taken," he sang.
The federal panel is winding down a statewide tour asking whether the department should launch a rule-making process that could set the framework for re-establishing a government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiian community.
"We’re bearing witness to your perspectives, your history, your pain and your optimism for your future," Rhea Suh, assistant secretary of the interior for policy, management and budget, told the Hana crowd. "Please understand and know we all feel incredibly moved and honored to have been witness to it."
The panel will meet in Lahaina Monday at King Kamehameha III Elementary and in Kahului Tuesday at Pomaikai Elementary.
