by Andrew Walden
As it desperately scrambles to pad the erstwhile Akaka Tribal Roll, how carefully is the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission checking the ancestry and validity of those signing up?
In an effort to find the answer, we submitted the name of 'Sanford Dole'--leader of the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom-- to Kanaiolowalu on December 22.
At first the Roll informed us they were "awaiting confirmation of Native Hawaiian ancestry through documents that you submitted or other ancestry sources that you noted on your registration form." But six days later it appears Mr. Dole has been officially, albeit perhaps posthumously, welcomed into the fold.
In a December 28, 2013 email, Roll Commission Executive Director Clyde Namuo informs Sanford Dole: "Aloha and mahalo for signing on to the Kana`iolowalu Registry. By doing so, you are helping to write history as it unfolds, and standing to be counted in the self-recognition of the unrelinquished sovereignty of our people."
It leads one to wonder how many of the names listed on the Roll are fake.
Here are the messages we received in chronological order:
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You are receiving this email because your email address was registered at Kanaiolowalu.org
Mahalo for Signing the Petition
12/22/13 Unrelinquished. Undeterred. Unified to Restore Self-Governance.
Mahalo Sanford Dole for signing the Kana'iolowalu Petition. If you would like to keep up-to-date with Kana'iolowalu, please Like us on Facebook or Follow us on http://twitter.com/kanaiolowalu.
If you would like to contact us for more information or with questions:
Kana'iolowalu
711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 1150
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96815
Phone: 808-594-0088
E-mail: info@kanaiolowalu.org
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Mahalo for registering with Kana'iolowalu
From Kana'iolowalu Outreach December 22, 2013
Aloha and mahalo e Sanford Dole for registering with Kana'iolowalu via paper registration.
This note is to inform you that your registration has been entered, and is awaiting confirmation of Native Hawaiian ancestry through documents that you submitted or other ancestry sources that you noted on your registration form.
We will notify you once your ancestry has been confirmed. We may contact you by email or phone to follow up with anything on your form that requires extra attention.
We are excited to take up and continue the work our kupuna started generations ago – steering our own self-determination as Native Hawaiians!
If you have not done so, we humbly ask you for your kōkua to make Kanaʻiolowalu a success by helping to register your 'ohana or volunteering.
Email your 'ohana and friends.
- Click on the following link (http://Kanaiolowalu.org/e/?tag=Join) to open a pre-written email.
- Enter your contacts.
- Send.
Volunteer.
We need help identifying groups in your neighborhood with Native Hawaiians. Collect contacts and send them to us. If you are interested, please visit http://kanaiolowalu.org/about/volunteerand complete the volunteer form.
If you have any questions, contact us through http://www.kanaiolowalu.org/about, or by calling 808-594-0088 Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Hawai'i time.
Again, mahalo nui for taking the time to register and for helping to spread the message.
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Welcome to Kana'iolowalu! A personal message from our Executive Director
From Kanaiolowalu Outreach, December 28, 2013
Aloha and mahalo for signing on to the Kana`iolowalu Registry. By doing so, you are helping to write history as it unfolds, and standing to be counted in the self-recognition of the unrelinquished sovereignty of our people.
Being on this official public registry means that you have chosen to participate, and this process works the best when many people make that choice.
Will you kokua in signing up your ohana, friends, neighbors and co-workers? Here, are a couple of things that you can do:
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Email your ‘ohana and friends, and ask them to stand alongside you. Simply click the following link, which will open an personalized email, add your contacts’ email addresses, sign your name, and send. LINK: http://kanaiolowalu.org/e/?tag=Join
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Invite our non-Hawaiian ohana and friends to support the cause by sharing this LINK: http://HawaiianRoll.org/KokuaPetition
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Join our volunteer team. Go to LINK: http://kanaiolowalu.org/about/volunteer/ and complete the form.
Me ke aloha, me ka mahalo nui,
Clyde Namuo
Executive Director
Native Hawaiian Roll Commission
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