Hawaiians never cease to amaze me. Their pursuit and demand for justice continues to echo throughout this land. Many don't understand the thrust of the Hawaiian or the circumstances surrounding the illegal overthrow of their Constitutional Monarchy, Hawaiians continue to make "Pono" the ills of the past..

The past few years the sovereignty movement appeared to be left in limbo..... With the arrest of Bumpy Kanahele of the Independent Nation State of Hawaii, his trial ...to the State's push for the plebiscite vote, the sovereignty movement had the appearance of stagnation. Not so noticeable is the work being done in the background.

In December last year, Hawaiians gathered on Oahu to express their opposition to the process the State had outlined, dictating how the Hawaiian would gain his independence. Running into a staggering amount of opposition, the State quickly reorganized and renamed the then Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission to Ha Hawaii in an effort to disguise the State's involvement. The whole point of the opposition was the wide spread concern of the State's position to be involved with the process. In that meeting, Hawaiians made it clear they did not want, nor did they appreciate, the. State's insistence on their involvement. Although Ha Hawaii was the new boy, it became very apparent this was simply HSAC in disguise. However the most memorable part of this session was the leaders of the various sovereignty components standing up in public and committed to an attempt to work together.

A meeting was scheduled for February at the "Wahi Pana 0 Kualoa" or Kualoa State Park, Chinaman's Hat. Here the first of a series of meetings took place. The first meeting had good response; some three to five hundred attended. Ha Hawaii was working the background, representatives of the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the State association of Hawaiian Homes had large contingents...front runners of the sovereignty movement were ever so present. Positions were discussed and challenged, points of agreement were noted. On the third day division became apparent and erupted as the media came to report on the progress the Hawaiians were making. Dividing lines were drawn as the front runners conflicted with the Civic Club's and the Association's support for Ha Hawaii.

The second meeting produced a smaller turn out. They formed committees and set agendas.

The first workshops started on Hawaii at Keaukaha. Traditional and Customary Rights. We were blessed with the presence of Aunty Abbie Napeahi, Aunty Maile Akimsue, Aunty Pua Kanaele, Papa Auwai, to mention a few. It was heart warming to hear our Kupuna speak of the spiritual essence of Hawaii, of the practices of the past that would help so much today, the richness of our culture....But the heart of it all was the expression and meaning of "PONO".

The second on Sovereignty and Self Determination held on Oahu At Punaluu (Queen Lilioukalani's Children's Center) where many of the various sovereignty groups shared their organization's structure, political agenda and position, as well as their process. With timeline discussions on the Kingdom, the progression of laws, decolonization and related subjects.

The third on Cultural Retrieval, regarding the protection of sacred objects, protection and care of ancestral bones and sacred Wahi Pana, Wahi Kapu. Discussions on Anthropology vs the rights of Hawaiians. Deep, interesting discussions and testimonials on the walk back into time, returning to the Aina.

The forth on Land, Entitlements, Trust and Ahi Trust. Speakers like Dr. Lilikala of the Center for Hawaiian Studies, Mililani Trask of Ka Lahui Hawaii, to mention a few. This workshop went on a tour of the Archives, the land courts, and the Bureau of Conveyances.

Last month we met at Kualoa again to share with all the outcome of the meetings and subsequent position papers that were drafted. Great information, well compiled, delivered to way too few. It was clear this information needed to reach the people; the agreed upon joint document showed an alliance to protect the last vestiges of the inherent Hawaiian Rights. The State is moving fast to enact laws that would severely jeopardize the rights of the Hawaiian to practice his own culture without permission and regulation of the State. It becomes apparent that there are a number of things that need addressing . ...too few hands . so much work...so much duplication. We decided there was a need to set up a working committee to find a way to gather our people. To get them to realize the importance of one another and share the common grounds, to combine our efforts and quit acting with personal agendas as our people are fighting for their very right to exist as a people, as a culture. The Independent Nation State of Hawaii planned an Aha Kupuna (Gathering of Elders) on November 7-9 at QLC in Punaluu. An invitation was extended to all groups.

We met different group members in Kalihi where we were allowed to share the Mana'o of Kualoa. Most groups were in the process of setting up their Kupuna Councils ...Bodies of Authority pro-tem governmental structures. Friday, groups of people started to arrive from the different islands. Kupuna and more Kupuna, front line activists on all levels of the struggle. Ka Lahui...Nation State of Hawaii...Kingdom of Hawaii, KaPakaukau, The Peoples Society, another Kingdom of Hawaii...and representatives of other sovereign groups.. all together, all wanting the same thing...to establish a body of Authority. In Hawaii, we all know who the ultimate authority is ....THE KUPUNA.

Interesting, our Kupuna . . ..They do not see flags when they get together ..they see other Kupuna...the wise...the beautiful...the acquired strength of survival in the midst of oppression. They see the anger, the anguish of their own people, striving to hold on to their own unique way of thinking, their highly evolved spirituality and their intrinsic connection with the Aina.

The Kupuna declared that for us to proceed there must be unity, we can no longer work as factions, the work of the past led us here, from today we are to work as one. The Kupuna declare they will no longer divide themselves as Kupuna of certain groups, they will stand together for Hawaii.

A Summit is being planned for February after the Makahiki season when we leave the period of Lono and enter into the period of Ku. The Kupuna extend a call for all Kupuna to come no matter what the racial background so long as they have the wisdom of Hawaii in heart, mind and spirit. Now is the time to prepare for this monumental event. ..save through the holidays.. .plan...make sure your families are represented ...come prepared as we intend to walk out as one Nation!!!

For more information or if you can help organizing.. .if you wanna work to help raise funds...whatever... Call me ...I'm Brudda Hank in Kona @808-322-7138, email warhawai@gte.net ...I'm compiling a list of contact points throughout the islands.

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