The Honolulu Advertiser, Thursday, August 4, 2005
Hawaiians uniting in anger
By Gordon Y.K. Pang Advertiser Staff Writer
An appeals court ruling that sent a shock wave through one of Hawai'i's oldest and most influential institutions has also galvanized anoften-fractured Native Hawaiian community. Across the islands, Hawaiians, many of whomdisagree on sovereignty and other hot-buttonissues, poured out their frustration and preparedto come together this weekend in support ofKamehameha Schools.
Kumu hula Manu Boyd, a Kamehameha alumnus, likened the situation to a family crisis thatbrings together siblings who may not have spoken in years. "It's family loyalty, coming together now,standing up for our ancestors," said Boyd. Tuesday's decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Courtof Appeals struck down as "unlawful racediscrimination" Kamehameha Schools' century-oldadmissions policy giving preference to Hawaiians.
Yesterday, angry listeners jammed the telephonelines of Hawaiian radio stations during morningdrive time to express their outrage. The flood of calls was only one sign. In Hilo,more than 100 alumni and others rallied insupport of the school to the sound of blaringhorns from passing traffic.
Everywhere, planswere being made for rallies and marches,including one at 'Iolani Palace on Saturday thatis expected to draw thousands. "They're tired of being mistreated, tired of notbeing recognized as a people, tired of all ourbenefits eroding," said Toni Lee, a Kamehamehagraduate and president of the Association ofHawaiian Civic Clubs. "We've had about enough. And if nothing else, maybe this is what we needas a people to band together."
Meanwhile, the school's trustees reiterated that they firmly believe in its admissions policies and pressed on with a request for a wider hearing of the case by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals. Yesterday morning the phone lines lighted up atKCCN FM 100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE radio. "We gota ton of calls, and most of the calls were peoplecalling it unfair," said David Daniels, programdirector for both stations. He estimated that each station got at least 50 calls. While some callers said they believe that the appellate decision makes sense, roughly 95 percent backed the school's admissions policy, he said.
The marshaling of forces actually began earlier. On Tuesday less than six hours after the decision was made public, more than 100 supporters of the school had gathered in the courtyard ofKawaiaha'o Plaza, Kamehameha's administrativeheadquarters in Kaka'ako. Among the assembled were representatives of organizations both for and against the Akakabill, which would grant federal recognition toNative Hawaiians.
There were also groups thatcriticized the school when it quietly admitted a non-Hawaiian student in 2003 and evenorganizations that have been chronic critics ofthe school's policies. They will gather again - only in much larger numbers - on Saturday morning at 'Iolani Palacewhen those objecting to the court decision willrally and prepare for a march to Mauna 'Ala, theRoyal Mausoleum.
Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop,who founded the school, is buried there. Among those who will be at the rally is AndrePerez, a leader in the Hui Pu umbrellaorganization of groups opposed to the Akaka bill. Perez, who did not attend Kamehameha, believes strongly that the school's admissions policy needs to be overhauled to meet the needs of Native Hawaiians students who are struggling with their grades. "We are hoping for change within KamehamehaSchools," Perez said. "Despite that, I think it'simportant to stand together. We put our differences aside and stand together for thegreater good of our keiki's future." Boyd said the decision was only the latest in a series of defeats suffered by the Native Hawaiian community in recent years. "We have so many people out there who would liketo see Hawaiians pretty much lose it all," said Boyd, who also serves as public informationofficer for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Hawaiians are beginning to become aware of this, he said. "I think people are really going to riseup." Davianna McGregor, a professor of ethnic studiesat the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, saidHawaiians will rally around Kamehameha because"it goes to our birthright as Native Hawaiians." The ali'i set up their trusts partly inrecognition that "the common people never gottheir fair share" during the Great Mahele,McGregor said. The ali'i also felt that the influx of immigrants during the 1880s would meanthat Hawaiians would, henceforth, need to competefor what once had been theirs exclusively, shesaid. Michael Chun, Kamehameha's president, said hesees both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians rallyingaround the school. Non-Hawaiians, he said, recognize that the schoolis "an important institution that is serving adisadvantaged group of people. They recognize that when this disadvantaged group of people ishelped, the community is helped as well."
Native Hawaiian activist Keali'i Gora said this weekend's rallies are just the tip of the iceberg. He and others are preparing to "get moreaggressive and we're going to go into Waikiki,"Gora said. "We're going to hit the economicsituation, we're going to hit them hard and we'regoing to tell them leave, tell the tourists toleave. Because we're not pleased with what'sgoing on."
SHOWING UNITY
Among the activities Kamehameha Schools has planned for Saturday: O'ahu: Gathering at 'Iolani Palace grounds, 8a.m. Unity march to Mauna 'Ala, the RoyalMausoleum, 10:30 a.m. Maui: Rally and sign-waving at Maui CommunityCollege (lawn facing Ka'ahumanu Avenue), 4:30 p.m. East Hawai'i: Prayer service fellowship,Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i Campus, Koai'aGymnasium, 9 a.m. West Hawai'i: March from Hale Halawai to 'Ahu'enaHeiau, 10:30 a.m. Ho'okupu ceremony at heiau,noon. Kaua'i: Informational meeting at King Kaumuali'iElementary School Cafeteria, 4 p.m. Rally tofollow. Moloka'i: Informational meeting, pule and mele at Kulana 'Oiwi Halau, 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.ksbe.edu
© COPYRIGHT 2005 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Please visit my weblog on Hawaiian Independence, updated regularly...http://HawaiianKingdom.info
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Hawaiians uniting in anger
By Gordon Y.K. Pang Advertiser Staff Writer
An appeals court ruling that sent a shock wave through one of Hawai'i's oldest and most influential institutions has also galvanized anoften-fractured Native Hawaiian community. Across the islands, Hawaiians, many of whomdisagree on sovereignty and other hot-buttonissues, poured out their frustration and preparedto come together this weekend in support ofKamehameha Schools.
Kumu hula Manu Boyd, a Kamehameha alumnus, likened the situation to a family crisis thatbrings together siblings who may not have spoken in years. "It's family loyalty, coming together now,standing up for our ancestors," said Boyd. Tuesday's decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Courtof Appeals struck down as "unlawful racediscrimination" Kamehameha Schools' century-oldadmissions policy giving preference to Hawaiians.
Yesterday, angry listeners jammed the telephonelines of Hawaiian radio stations during morningdrive time to express their outrage. The flood of calls was only one sign. In Hilo,more than 100 alumni and others rallied insupport of the school to the sound of blaringhorns from passing traffic.
Everywhere, planswere being made for rallies and marches,including one at 'Iolani Palace on Saturday thatis expected to draw thousands. "They're tired of being mistreated, tired of notbeing recognized as a people, tired of all ourbenefits eroding," said Toni Lee, a Kamehamehagraduate and president of the Association ofHawaiian Civic Clubs. "We've had about enough. And if nothing else, maybe this is what we needas a people to band together."
Meanwhile, the school's trustees reiterated that they firmly believe in its admissions policies and pressed on with a request for a wider hearing of the case by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals. Yesterday morning the phone lines lighted up atKCCN FM 100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE radio. "We gota ton of calls, and most of the calls were peoplecalling it unfair," said David Daniels, programdirector for both stations. He estimated that each station got at least 50 calls. While some callers said they believe that the appellate decision makes sense, roughly 95 percent backed the school's admissions policy, he said.
The marshaling of forces actually began earlier. On Tuesday less than six hours after the decision was made public, more than 100 supporters of the school had gathered in the courtyard ofKawaiaha'o Plaza, Kamehameha's administrativeheadquarters in Kaka'ako. Among the assembled were representatives of organizations both for and against the Akakabill, which would grant federal recognition toNative Hawaiians.
There were also groups thatcriticized the school when it quietly admitted a non-Hawaiian student in 2003 and evenorganizations that have been chronic critics ofthe school's policies. They will gather again - only in much larger numbers - on Saturday morning at 'Iolani Palacewhen those objecting to the court decision willrally and prepare for a march to Mauna 'Ala, theRoyal Mausoleum.
Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop,who founded the school, is buried there. Among those who will be at the rally is AndrePerez, a leader in the Hui Pu umbrellaorganization of groups opposed to the Akaka bill. Perez, who did not attend Kamehameha, believes strongly that the school's admissions policy needs to be overhauled to meet the needs of Native Hawaiians students who are struggling with their grades. "We are hoping for change within KamehamehaSchools," Perez said. "Despite that, I think it'simportant to stand together. We put our differences aside and stand together for thegreater good of our keiki's future." Boyd said the decision was only the latest in a series of defeats suffered by the Native Hawaiian community in recent years. "We have so many people out there who would liketo see Hawaiians pretty much lose it all," said Boyd, who also serves as public informationofficer for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Hawaiians are beginning to become aware of this, he said. "I think people are really going to riseup." Davianna McGregor, a professor of ethnic studiesat the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, saidHawaiians will rally around Kamehameha because"it goes to our birthright as Native Hawaiians." The ali'i set up their trusts partly inrecognition that "the common people never gottheir fair share" during the Great Mahele,McGregor said. The ali'i also felt that the influx of immigrants during the 1880s would meanthat Hawaiians would, henceforth, need to competefor what once had been theirs exclusively, shesaid. Michael Chun, Kamehameha's president, said hesees both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians rallyingaround the school. Non-Hawaiians, he said, recognize that the schoolis "an important institution that is serving adisadvantaged group of people. They recognize that when this disadvantaged group of people ishelped, the community is helped as well."
Native Hawaiian activist Keali'i Gora said this weekend's rallies are just the tip of the iceberg. He and others are preparing to "get moreaggressive and we're going to go into Waikiki,"Gora said. "We're going to hit the economicsituation, we're going to hit them hard and we'regoing to tell them leave, tell the tourists toleave. Because we're not pleased with what'sgoing on."
SHOWING UNITY
Among the activities Kamehameha Schools has planned for Saturday: O'ahu: Gathering at 'Iolani Palace grounds, 8a.m. Unity march to Mauna 'Ala, the RoyalMausoleum, 10:30 a.m. Maui: Rally and sign-waving at Maui CommunityCollege (lawn facing Ka'ahumanu Avenue), 4:30 p.m. East Hawai'i: Prayer service fellowship,Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i Campus, Koai'aGymnasium, 9 a.m. West Hawai'i: March from Hale Halawai to 'Ahu'enaHeiau, 10:30 a.m. Ho'okupu ceremony at heiau,noon. Kaua'i: Informational meeting at King Kaumuali'iElementary School Cafeteria, 4 p.m. Rally tofollow. Moloka'i: Informational meeting, pule and mele at Kulana 'Oiwi Halau, 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.ksbe.edu
© COPYRIGHT 2005 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Please visit my weblog on Hawaiian Independence, updated regularly...http://HawaiianKingdom.info
