OHA Trustees Swear to Uphold Two Constitutions

“Ua hana mai ke Akua i nā lāhui kānaka a pau i ke koko hoʻokahi, e noho like lākou ma ka honua nei me ke kuʻikahi, a me ka pōmaikaʻi.” – Opening words of the 1840 Hawaiian Constitution

by OHA Trustee Keli’i Akina PhD, Ka Wai Ola, January, 2025

Last month, the newly elected and re-elected trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) were sworn in by Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Todd Eddins. Along with my fellow trustees Dan Ahuna, Luana Alapa and Kaialiʻi Kahele, I pledged to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi.”

In doing so, we affirmed our duty as government officials to abide by and uphold the laws of this country and state. More than that, we affirmed our parts in a rich and long history between the U.S. Constitution and the constitutions of Hawaiʻi, from kingdom days to statehood.

Trustee Keli‘i Akina and the Honorable Associate Justice Todd Eddins at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ trustee swearing in ceremony. – Courtesy Photo

In 1840, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi adopted a constitution with strong parallels to the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Under the leadership of King Kamehameha III, the framers were concerned with more than the laws or structure of government. They wanted to make certain that the philosophy of God-given rights would guide the interpretation of law. So, they combined into one document the philosophical ideals found in the Declaration of Independence with laws and government structures found in the U.S. Constitution.

We are familiar with the profound philosophy of the Declaration of Independence expressed in the following statement: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

That same philosophy of the equality and unity of all people, endowed by Ke Akua with God-given rights, can be found in the opening paragraph of the 1840 Hawaiian Constitution.

“God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the earth, in unity and blessedness. God has also bestowed certain rights alike on all men and all chiefs, and all people of all lands. These are some of the rights which He has given alike to every man and every chief of correct deportment; life, limb, liberty, freedom from oppression; the earnings of his hands and the productions of his mind, not however to those who act in violation of laws.”

The oath of office taken by duly elected trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs represents more than just a legal responsibility. It is a commitment to uphold the deep-rooted principles at the heart of two constitutions, the American and Hawaiian.

While the primary duty of OHA trustees is the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians, we are to fulfill this purpose with the good of all people in mind. As the 1840 Hawaiian Constitution states, all people are made from one blood (ke koko hoʻokahi) to dwell on the earth, in unity and blessedness.

E hana kākou! (Let’s work together!)