To the Honorable Judge Helen Gilmor,

Before I go any further, by no means is this an excuse to justify my actions to the crime that I have committed and plead guilty to, under the laws of United States of America nor is it being disrespectful to you, your Honor, in any way.

The Kanaka Maoli (indigenous Native Hawaiian) as a Culture of people have endured some of the worst Human rights violations in the world. The challenges that we face in today's western society would have been incredible, if not impossible for a Kanaka Maoli of old to tolerate and accept. I realize that I am that Kanaka Maoli of old, now having the full knowledge of my Kupuna, of the past history, walking and talking about the journey that they've suffered and endured for so long.

As I look back at my childhood and think about my past history while growing up, I was very hardheaded, someway, somehow always getting in trouble with the Authorities. Although I must admit some of the things I've done in the past were very ugly and wrong, I have paid the price for it, in one way or another. Since then I have searched within myself constantly for the reasons why I think, do and feel this way, and also wondered why these patterns of my life's journey are so familiar amongst the Kanaka Maoli community. Could it be the Political ignorance leading to distrust in government? Is it the Economic depression creating extra-curricular financial oppurtunities and activities? what about the Social disasters that we face today, in our health, housing, education and enviromental society which continue to plague the Kanaka Maoli community, resulting in drug, alcohol and spouse abuse leading up to the highest percentage of inmates being of Kanaka Maoli ancestry in the correctional facilities of this state. The root of these common problems in the Kanaka Maoli community is the conflict between western society and the Inherent vested rights of the Kanaka Maoli people which have never been extinguished at the present.

In the beginning, as I started to educate myself and learn more about our history, I became very angry at what had happened to my ancestors, I felt cheated like them, of all my Human and Civil rights, and eventually, because of my beliefs, and actions that followed, I got in big time trouble for it. The educational limitations and suppression placed upon our people generations after generations, of our historic chronology, its evolution and the advancement in our Political, Economic, Social and Cultural development in my opinion has been the main factor to all of these problems.

Today I've taken in a lot of criticism by my constituents as to the change in direction of working with and in the current system of government. Although the almost four months of incarceration at Halawa correctional facility and the two long years of monitoring device and curfew has brought a lot of humiliation to my ego, it has also set my priorities in order and brought a lot of dicipline to my life.

As you know I'm married have been for almost 22 years. I have 3 children, and one of them has Blessed me with a daughter-in-law and my only grandaughter of a year and a half. Although I have been actively involved in the sovereignty movement my wife and chidren have been law abiding citizens.

Currently I sit on the Board of directors of the International Indian Treaty Council, a non governmental organization with NGO status to the United Nations, I also sit on the Board of directors for the Waimanalo Health Center, I am a member of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board and I am the executive director for Aloha First, a non profit organization with a 501-c3 status. As for my job, I am an independent consultant for Golf Connections, dba Ohana Golf.

In the near future, I hope to be able to run for public office unless restrictions strip me of that right also.

In closing I hope you will take all of these things into consideration, for my life is now in your hands to decide my fate.

God Bless, Dennis Pu'uhonua Bumpy Kanahele

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