Letter: Hawaiians must determine destiny

After listening to hours of lectures, discussions and testimony regarding Mauna Kea and the Hawaiians’ place in political history, the more I am convinced that our history lessons taught in elementary through college amounted to propaganda written by the United States of America.

More appalling are the consequences in which we continue to live for more than a century and over many generations. Social injustices against Native Hawaiians are well documented and continue to be common practice among the ruling powers. The conflict on Mauna Kea is simply the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Never forget that the Mauna Kea Access Road was built by the state on Hawaiian Home Lands without permission (“Questions arise over Mauna Kea road,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 15). We are constantly reminded of how much we are costing the taxpayers as we continue to protect the mountain. Consider how many of our people have died waiting for a piece of land to call home.

More power to those who are willing to stand firm and move forward to rightfully claim our place in society as the host culture and claim what is ours and determine our own destiny.

Leona Pereza

Kailua

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