OHA to facilitate Hawaiian nation building
News Release from OHA
HONOLULU (March 6, 2014) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced today that it is committed to facilitating the next steps in a process that empowers Native Hawaiians to participate in building a governing entity.
The effort is drawing enthusiastic broad-based support from Hawaiian leaders who are prepared to help shape both the form of the process and the outcome of a process, with OHA in the role of a facilitator and supporter.
“We stand ready to begin a process meant to inspire hope and enable all Native Hawaiians to take up their kuleana to help build a strong nation,” said OHA Ka Pouhana (Chief Executive Officer) Kamanaʻopono Crabbe. “We will come together to create a nation where all Native Hawaiians have an opportunity to thrive. I have every confidence that we will succeed.”
The announcement has prompted OHA to ask the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to reopen its roll to allow Hawaiians who have not yet signed up an opportunity to be part of the process.
“This is different from past OHA efforts,” said OHA Trustee Haunani Apoliona, the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Planning created by the OHA Board of Trustees. “We will remain neutral and ensure that the people can provide meaningful input on the process and that the outcomes reflect the will of the Native Hawaiian people. As a facilitator, OHA is committed to encouraging Native Hawaiians to participate in the process of building a Hawaiian nation.”
More information is available at www.oha.org/nationbuilding
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PROPOSED FRAMEWORK
From OHA Nation Building
Register March - May 1, 2014
Native Hawaiians are encouraged to register with the Official Roll during this special open enrollment period if they have not already done so.
May – September, 2014
Native Hawaiians who have signed up on the Official Roll will elect delegates.
October – November, 2014
Delegates convene at an ‘Aha with the purpose of drafting a governing document.
December, 2014 – January, 2015
The governing document goes back to those on the Official Roll to approve or disapprove of the governing document.
OHA will facilitate a process to rebuild a Hawaiian nation. While OHA facilitates the process, the outcomes will reflect the collective will of the Native Hawaiian people. OHA will work with an array of Hawaiian leaders from Hawaiian organizations and the community who will help shape the process of nation building and develop educational materials to inform people about the process and options involved in nation building. OHA will remain neutral throughout the process.
PDF LINKS:
KITV: The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission will meet March 8 to decide whether to reopen the roll and if so for how long.
SA: Bumpy Kanahele, Walter Ritte Join Process
As Predicted in 2006: A State-Recognized Indian Tribe for Hawaii?