NA‘I AUPUNI ANNOUNCES PARTICIPANT TOTAL FOR FEBRUARY ‘AHA IS 154

News Release from Nai Aupuni, January 6, 2015

HONOLULU – Na‘i Aupuni announced today that 154 individuals will participate in the February ‘aha to discuss self-governance.

Additional participants were added to the initial list after Na‘i Aupuni learned that delays and failures with electronic carrier systems beyond the former candidates’ control caused their communications confirming their intent to participate to not be received in a timely manner. Two other persons who had previously confirmed their intent to attend notified Na‘i Aupuni that they now are unable to attend.

The ‘aha participants are derived from a list of 196 former candidates who stepped forward in an election that would have resulted in 40 of them attending a constitutional convention. Na‘i Aupuni terminated the election on December 15 because pending federal litigation likely would have stalled the counting of the vote for years. Na‘i Aupuni, instead, offered all of the then-registered candidates terms to participate in a gathering to discuss a path to self-governance.

“Every former candidate had an opportunity to participate in this gathering. We are excited that such a large group of committed persons – who represent a broad cross section of the Native Hawaiian community in Hawaii and elsewhere – will come together to discuss self-governance,” said Kuhio Asam, Na‘i Aupuni president.

Asam said the ‘aha participants are Hawaiians who have shown a deep commitment to engage in serious, civil discussions on self-governance. “We are pleased and encouraged that so many individuals have made a decision to participate,” Asam said. “They deserve everyone’s support.”

A component of the month-long ‘aha will be discussions in which participants will engage with experts during the gathering’s first week on topics that include: constitution building; federal Indian law; international law regarding de-occupation, decolonization and the rights of indigenous people; U.S. constitutional issues that relate to Native Hawaiian self-governance; ceded lands; and Kingdom Law.

Peter Adler and Linda Colburn of The Mediation Center of the Pacific will serve as facilitators to foster discussions and to assist the participants in organizing themselves. Thereafter, decisions made and results of the participants’ discussions at the ‘aha will be their responsibility without interference by Na‘i Aupuni or any government entity.

The final list of participants is attached.

PDF: New Aha ‘Delegate’ Roster

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4 delegates added, 2 dropped as Hawaiian convention nears

SA: Following another round of lineup changes, Na‘i Aupuni announced Wednesday that 154 people will attend the February convention to discuss Native Hawaiian self-governance.

Four delegates were added to the list after Na‘i Aupuni learned that delays and failures with computer systems caused candidates to miss the deadline to sign up for the convention, or aha.

One of the additions was Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Rowena Akana, who was on vacation and said she did not receive emails informing her of the deadline.

Akana said Wednesday that she agreed to sign a notarized letter saying that she did not receive the emails.

Other additions were Rosalie Lenchanko, Kalaniakea Wilson and (former legislator) Karen Awana, all of Oahu.

Two others — Stanley Ornellas of Maui and Lydia Burt of Kentucky — who previously confirmed their intent to attend notified Na‘i Aupuni that they are now unable to attend….

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