MEETING NOTES
WCIP Kanaka Maoli Consultation with Hone Harawira
Organized by MANA
April 20th, 2013
Kana‘ina Building, Honolulu, Hawai`i
A meeting was organized on Saturday, April 20, 2013 by the organization MANA. Approximately 54 people attended. The list of attendees is located at the end of these notes. The purpose of the meeting was to inform those in attendance of the events occurring in the international arena around representation, reporting on international events, and Indigenous, Pacific and Kanaka Maoli issues. The following are the notes from that meeting.
After a quick introduction of all present, Jon Osorio, referencing a chart that identified several UN venues which Indigenous Peoples operate, conducted an overview of the purpose of everyone coming together: 1) To receive a report from Hone Harawira, Aotearoa, concerning the Preparatory Meeting for Pacific Indigenous Peoples on the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) 2014 that was held in Sydney, Australia in March 2013 and 2) To bring awareness to various international conferences taking place that we as Kanaka Maoli may have a critical interest, 3) That some of conferences are taking place without our awareness and thus either without representation (for example Sydney) or sometimes with representation by people who do not share our ancestry, language or cultural values, and certainly even without our permission.
Hone Harawira, from Aotearoa, introduced himself to the group and stated that the reason that he came to Hawai‘i was because there was a pacific regional meeting held in Sydney March 19-21st and when he got there, there were no Hawaiians being represented. When he asked why not, he learned there was a serious breakdown in communication, that is, someone was trying to organize a meeting in Hawai‘i and one in Sydney. He learned from organizers that Kai Landau had been in contact with someone in Netherlands and was meeting with Mahealani Ventura, but the Hawai‘i meeting never happened. He is concerned that if he was going to go as a Pacific delegation, needed someone to go to Hawai`i, get a representative from Hawaii to participate. No one from Sydney wanted to come to Hawai`i because they thought there was conflict.
Hone did not come today in his role as a member of Parliament in Aotearoa and is not on the Pacific Caucus. He said that the UN has called for a World Indigenous People’s Meeting in September 2014. This UN meeting is run by nation states -- in the Kanaka Maoli case the US, and in the Maori case, the New Zealand government. Because the meeting is run by nation states, some individuals might get invited and some will not.
Since a large of Indigenous peoples might not get invited, the Saami people (from Alta, Norway from the Scandinavian region) decided to host an indigenous meeting and have invited Indigenous people from all around the world to attend. Non-government organizations and individuals, that is, most people here today, are eligible to attend.
It was noted that Malia Nobrega would be attending the meeting from Hawai‘i. However, there was uncertainty on the exact number of (funded) seats available for Hawai‘i representatives to attend the Alta meeting. Hone noted that for Aotearoa, the delegates are non-government appointed.
There is no formal connection between ALTA June 2013 and UN Conference September 2014. In ALTA, they will try to put together some plans to increase involvement of real indigenous people to the meeting in 2014. Whether they’ll be successful he was not sure. Further, he noted that the Alta meeting might be organizing an alternative to UN WCIP.
He stressed that Hawai‘i should be keen on going to Alta because it will be the biggest gathering of non-governmental indigenous people in a long time. If anything, Hawai‘i representation at Alta would allow those representatives to catch up with other Indigenous people doing similar work as we are.
Hone discussed the Pacific statement that was adopted at the Sydney meeting (the statement was passed out to those in attendance). He urged the group to consider adding a supplement to the statement, noting that we would be able to change the existing statement, but could try to add a Hawai‘i statement to it. He also mentioned that because Malia Nobrega is going to Alta, she is one person to send mana‘o to concerning the statement.
In all, Hone felt that if we do get to Alta together, we should try to be on the same side.
A large group discussion raised the following issues/questions/comments:
Wrap Up Discussion
Representation Statement
Hinaleimoana Wong offered the pule ho‘owehe. After Hawai‘i Aloha, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
MANA follow up commitment to the group:
Konia Freitas, Halawa, O`ahu, Meeting Facilitator
Camille Kalama, Kailua, O`ahu, notetaker
No`eau Peralto, Hawai`i Island, hauMANA
`Ilima Long – Makiki, MANA, hauMANA
Koa Luke – Waiawa, MANA, Oceania rising
Ikaika Hussey – Kane`ohe, MANA
Jonathan K. K. Osorio, MANA
Makanani Parker – Ko`olaupoko, Kamakakūokalani delegation
Lilikala Kameeleihiwa, He‘eia, Kamakakūokalani delegation to UN permanent forum
Kaaliki Solis (Shelley), Wahiawā
Dexter Kaiama, Kailua, attorney supporting de-occupation
Manu Kaiama, Ka‘elepulu,
Leon Sieu, Miloli`i, UN work NY permanent forum & Geneva
Kawehi Kanui, Waimānalo
Hinaleimoana Wong, Hawai‘i, Maui, Kalihi
Kalelena, Mililani
Akahai Miyasato
Paulette Kaanohi Kaleikini, Nānākuli
Wally Camvel, Ko`olaupoko
Kamana`opono Crabbe, Mō`ili`ili, OHA
`Iokepa Ioka Makela, Kualoa
Imaikalani Winchester, Mililani,
Noelani Goodyear-Kaopua, Kalihi, MANA
Imaikalani Kalahele, Kapālama
Gwen Kim, Ko`olaulo, O`ahu, Ohana Koa, NFIP
Hilda Harawira, Aotearoa
Leianuenue Niheu, Papakōlea, Na `Ōiwi o Hawai`i
Laulani Teale, Ho`opaipono Peace Project, Ko`olaupoko
Hau`oli Pahia,
Lopaka Ah Sam, Moloka`i
Z, Hui Makawalu
Mahealani, Maui
Pono Kealoha,
Tane
Foster Ampong, Maui
Keeumoku Kapu, Maui
Kalani Ah Sam
Kelea, Nanakuli
Ricky Torres, Hamakua
Skippy `Ioane, Earth
Pilipo Souza
Lynnette Cruz, Kailua
Nadine Noelani Ah Quin, Lahaina
Kailani Na`auao, Papakolea
Teri Kekoolani, MANA
Malama Namoa
Kaipo Keanue Vick
Walter Ritte, Moloka`i
Bumpy Kanahele, Waimanalo
Hone Harawira, Aotearoa
Andre Perez, Koloa Kaua`i
Organized by MANA
April 20th, 2013
Kana‘ina Building, Honolulu, Hawai`i
A meeting was organized on Saturday, April 20, 2013 by the organization MANA. Approximately 54 people attended. The list of attendees is located at the end of these notes. The purpose of the meeting was to inform those in attendance of the events occurring in the international arena around representation, reporting on international events, and Indigenous, Pacific and Kanaka Maoli issues. The following are the notes from that meeting.
After a quick introduction of all present, Jon Osorio, referencing a chart that identified several UN venues which Indigenous Peoples operate, conducted an overview of the purpose of everyone coming together: 1) To receive a report from Hone Harawira, Aotearoa, concerning the Preparatory Meeting for Pacific Indigenous Peoples on the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) 2014 that was held in Sydney, Australia in March 2013 and 2) To bring awareness to various international conferences taking place that we as Kanaka Maoli may have a critical interest, 3) That some of conferences are taking place without our awareness and thus either without representation (for example Sydney) or sometimes with representation by people who do not share our ancestry, language or cultural values, and certainly even without our permission.
Hone Harawira, from Aotearoa, introduced himself to the group and stated that the reason that he came to Hawai‘i was because there was a pacific regional meeting held in Sydney March 19-21st and when he got there, there were no Hawaiians being represented. When he asked why not, he learned there was a serious breakdown in communication, that is, someone was trying to organize a meeting in Hawai‘i and one in Sydney. He learned from organizers that Kai Landau had been in contact with someone in Netherlands and was meeting with Mahealani Ventura, but the Hawai‘i meeting never happened. He is concerned that if he was going to go as a Pacific delegation, needed someone to go to Hawai`i, get a representative from Hawaii to participate. No one from Sydney wanted to come to Hawai`i because they thought there was conflict.
Hone did not come today in his role as a member of Parliament in Aotearoa and is not on the Pacific Caucus. He said that the UN has called for a World Indigenous People’s Meeting in September 2014. This UN meeting is run by nation states -- in the Kanaka Maoli case the US, and in the Maori case, the New Zealand government. Because the meeting is run by nation states, some individuals might get invited and some will not.
Since a large of Indigenous peoples might not get invited, the Saami people (from Alta, Norway from the Scandinavian region) decided to host an indigenous meeting and have invited Indigenous people from all around the world to attend. Non-government organizations and individuals, that is, most people here today, are eligible to attend.
It was noted that Malia Nobrega would be attending the meeting from Hawai‘i. However, there was uncertainty on the exact number of (funded) seats available for Hawai‘i representatives to attend the Alta meeting. Hone noted that for Aotearoa, the delegates are non-government appointed.
There is no formal connection between ALTA June 2013 and UN Conference September 2014. In ALTA, they will try to put together some plans to increase involvement of real indigenous people to the meeting in 2014. Whether they’ll be successful he was not sure. Further, he noted that the Alta meeting might be organizing an alternative to UN WCIP.
He stressed that Hawai‘i should be keen on going to Alta because it will be the biggest gathering of non-governmental indigenous people in a long time. If anything, Hawai‘i representation at Alta would allow those representatives to catch up with other Indigenous people doing similar work as we are.
Hone discussed the Pacific statement that was adopted at the Sydney meeting (the statement was passed out to those in attendance). He urged the group to consider adding a supplement to the statement, noting that we would be able to change the existing statement, but could try to add a Hawai‘i statement to it. He also mentioned that because Malia Nobrega is going to Alta, she is one person to send mana‘o to concerning the statement.
In all, Hone felt that if we do get to Alta together, we should try to be on the same side.
A large group discussion raised the following issues/questions/comments:
- Several members felt that it would be hard to support the Pacific statement since Hawai’i was not included in its development.
- What are the benefits of Kanaka ‘Ōiwi attending international meeting like these?
- Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa sends kumu and haumana to the UN, they will be sending a group in May to the UN PFIP. In 2001, there was no voice from Hawai’i. The intent is to train people to make sure the voice remains there.
- Part of the problem has been bad report backs.
- Hawaiian Studies acknowledges that they haven’t been able to report back in the way they should and announced that this year they are going to set up a website, twitter, live stream to document the work that’s going on there.
- Consider using ‘Ōlelo too.
- There are benefits to attending anything that is going to have an audience that will hear our story, whether they are states or other Indigenous Peoples. At the international level we are able engage in conversations about (1) rights of indigenous peoples, (2) rights of self-determination. Participation at this level also raises the concern that states come up with devices where they can twist your situation to their advantage – the WCIP may not be immune to this kind of manipulation either. Nonetheless, we can also kako‘o all the other indigenous people who are there, many with way worse situations than ours. Go and participate and listen but reserve your right to approve or not approve with a rubber stamp anything that they do.
- How do we as Hawaiians fit into this as indigenous?
- UN was set up to cater to the states and is a particular type of animal, that is, a western model. Then there are Indigenous Peoples. Even that term was established by nations to identify “those guys are not us”. But if you operate at the international level, reserve your right and say I can use that term but that doesn’t define me.
- Over the years, we’ve had problems with identification. We are indigenous to the Kingdom of Hawaii, cannot say indigenous to America. The acquiescence to some of these documents suggests that we are indigenous to the U.S.
- Cannot look at these issues as binary—focus on what can lead us somewhere, together. Need to articulate that we stand in solidarity with other peoples but our political history is different. The Pacific statement doesn’t speak to our unique political history. Doesn’t say that we have a strong and growing movement towards restoration of our nation state. How do we navigate and participate with indigenous peoples without putting them down and making like we’re better. Also to say that the Kingdom of Hawai‘i doesn’t have indigenous components, we had hoa`aina rights, specific to kanaka maoli in Kingdom Law.
- Politics right now is less important than who is the representative going to Alta, meaning, they express what we want them to express, what should be represented from us?
- We have to ask ourselves how we identify ourselves. Identify ourselves as indigenous people to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. Problem is that the perception outside will be that we will be indigenous people because the documents talk about the rights of the states. Pacific caucus should support us in the return of our sovereign state. Support us in our return to our status as an independent state so we can support the independence of people around the world.
- Many nations have the same aspirations for independence as we do. For example, at the International Indian treaty council in South Dakota, they have their own understanding of their political history with the US. They see themselves as independent nations themselves. We are lucky to have established our own nation state but don’t forget that indigenous nations have the same ambitions for independence that we have.
- Hawai‘i has two different sides coming in -- one decolonization, one independence. We can help other indigenous nations when we become independent.
- Maybe we can get a few people to put some language in there that is specific to our history
- Would like to have a “narrative” to explain what we’re talking about that we can take no matter where we go. Our identity is multifaceted.
- Maybe we can agree on some basic stuff, but specifics are difficult.
- It seems that regional conferences have been confused because decisions were made by people who should have exercised coordinating power but instead exercised decision making authority instead.
- Maybe we can decide on whom would we feel comfortable with taking our suggestions and that person represents today’s group. What we are deciding on actually gets conveyed. There has been representation with no reporting back. Moving forward want to make that suggestion.
- We understand indigenous issues as a pathway of getting certain things for us. Agree that we want to close borders and get military out but don’t want to live in a nation where Kanaka ‘Ōiwi are outnumbered. If we are a democracy, we’re outnumbered. When talking about kingdom and independence and indigenous rights, there is a difference. One way is identify lands that will be our lands, identify lands that will feed us -- that comes under indigenous rights. Kingdom enunciation needs to go to General Assembly not Permanent Forum. One forum may not be the best for the other but does that one stop the other? Don’t think so.
- The question is how do we get “in the same wa‘a”? We’re skirting around this political issue which is decolonization v deoccupation. Problem about finding resolution of “doing both” gives mixed messages in the international arena. We need to figure out where we stand.
- They’re both true. The de facto government of Hawai‘i – state of Hawai‘i and United States -- they are the ones who control. They are not right, not de jure but they are de facto. How do we remove that? We create a narrative that’s accurate that lists these things as fact. Should we be compelled to make this choice now when this whole thing has been a fraud by the United States. The most important thing we can do now is to create a narrative that states that both these things have happened.
- Want to say that if we continue to go through reinscription, would that invalidate overthrow? We need to be careful about. If you take a look at article 73, found out how Japanese took over government. Japan admitted that the Japanese people played a big part in political, economic, cultural advancement. Remember they’re coming out of the war and going into the United Nations now. Reality of what we’re doing here today - we can do this already. Tell the president to give us our country back so we can do the job we need to, then we can go help other people.
- Purpose for coming to the meeting was to find out what this was all about, wanted to find out who supported going there and wanted to voice objection. Fact that they may have taken us off the list is to say why that was wrong, say why that’s not correct under constitutional and international law. Our history predates 1958, 1959. Our history gives us our roadmap to where we should be. Just by saying that it happened, we’re leaving out certain important information. That information tells us it’s not decolonization, its deoccupation.
- Longer we play these games the longer people are going to get attacked e.g. small nations, West Papua. We need to form a council out of this gathering. We need accountability – there is no accountability from anyone who has ever worked at the UN. Need pono. Keep in mind who created the UN and its purpose – it’s a tool to help other countries and nations to control. Who’s the real force behind the UN?
- Things need to be done given key questions. A national entity that is recognized in the state of Hawai‘i is subjected to subjects that are under them. We really need to be defiant in everything we do, we need to create a percussion. We need to let people know that we get problems in Hawai‘i. Cannot only focus on this venue, we all get one part. Everyone in this group can add something. If we can get 50 or 100 Hawaiians to just go back to the ‘āina.
Wrap Up Discussion
- Andre Perez, MANA organizer, said that Kamanaopono Crabb, OHA Executive Director has committed some resources to support us if we want to continue to meet to answer some of the questions we raised today. If folks want to go to Alta Kamanao has committed. We gotta decide. The first thing I would say is we gotta commit to meeting more.
- Kamanaopono Crabb stated that OHA is moving from federal recognition to governance as a whole, meaning, include all kinds of positions. If this group is organized OHA will back it.
- It’s maikai to set up another meeting, we need to do that, but for now, we should take this group MANA and find out how many seats are available and fill them. Can MANA clarify?
- Mana‘o of the ‘Ohana Koa is you have to continually plant in the ground but have to continue to defend what you plant. We should go to this organization and demand our 4 seats. ALTA meeting is not WCIP. Part of the reason we’re here is because of the long standing alliances we built with papa hānau. If we gonna go, OHA needs to pay for housing us, feeding us, getting us out of jail, not sending our people away from our people. Hui Aloha ‘Āina didn’t got to Washington [first], they went door to door.
- We should fill the seats for Hawai‘i, but the concerned about time. How do we move forward?
- The Sami are paying for some delegates. Those at the permanent forum are full of aloha. The people that meet in the Indigenous world are really really good people, some of those from South America, we never see again because they shot.
- Foster Ampong said that Keeaumoku Kaiama and Skippy Ioane should go to Alta.
- Getting a government is achievable.
Representation Statement
- MANA read a prepared statement concerning the past conduct of Kai Landow at past international meetings and articulated support for Kanaka ‘Ōiwi representation and behavior at international meetings. They asked if anyone in the room would support it by signing it with the intention of sending it to the Pacific Caucus. Based on group discussion, the statement was tabled on behalf of the group.
Hinaleimoana Wong offered the pule ho‘owehe. After Hawai‘i Aloha, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
MANA follow up commitment to the group:
- Committed to clarifying seats and process and facilitating a report back.
- Hawai‘i Statement - principles of unity to be used as a tool for advocacy and organizing.
- LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Konia Freitas, Halawa, O`ahu, Meeting Facilitator
Camille Kalama, Kailua, O`ahu, notetaker
No`eau Peralto, Hawai`i Island, hauMANA
`Ilima Long – Makiki, MANA, hauMANA
Koa Luke – Waiawa, MANA, Oceania rising
Ikaika Hussey – Kane`ohe, MANA
Jonathan K. K. Osorio, MANA
Makanani Parker – Ko`olaupoko, Kamakakūokalani delegation
Lilikala Kameeleihiwa, He‘eia, Kamakakūokalani delegation to UN permanent forum
Kaaliki Solis (Shelley), Wahiawā
Dexter Kaiama, Kailua, attorney supporting de-occupation
Manu Kaiama, Ka‘elepulu,
Leon Sieu, Miloli`i, UN work NY permanent forum & Geneva
Kawehi Kanui, Waimānalo
Hinaleimoana Wong, Hawai‘i, Maui, Kalihi
Kalelena, Mililani
Akahai Miyasato
Paulette Kaanohi Kaleikini, Nānākuli
Wally Camvel, Ko`olaupoko
Kamana`opono Crabbe, Mō`ili`ili, OHA
`Iokepa Ioka Makela, Kualoa
Imaikalani Winchester, Mililani,
Noelani Goodyear-Kaopua, Kalihi, MANA
Imaikalani Kalahele, Kapālama
Gwen Kim, Ko`olaulo, O`ahu, Ohana Koa, NFIP
Hilda Harawira, Aotearoa
Leianuenue Niheu, Papakōlea, Na `Ōiwi o Hawai`i
Laulani Teale, Ho`opaipono Peace Project, Ko`olaupoko
Hau`oli Pahia,
Lopaka Ah Sam, Moloka`i
Z, Hui Makawalu
Mahealani, Maui
Pono Kealoha,
Tane
Foster Ampong, Maui
Keeumoku Kapu, Maui
Kalani Ah Sam
Kelea, Nanakuli
Ricky Torres, Hamakua
Skippy `Ioane, Earth
Pilipo Souza
Lynnette Cruz, Kailua
Nadine Noelani Ah Quin, Lahaina
Kailani Na`auao, Papakolea
Teri Kekoolani, MANA
Malama Namoa
Kaipo Keanue Vick
Walter Ritte, Moloka`i
Bumpy Kanahele, Waimanalo
Hone Harawira, Aotearoa
Andre Perez, Koloa Kaua`i