News Release from Conservative Forum for Hawaii

Dr. Keli'i Akina, former OHA trustee candidate and now the new CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, will be presenting "E Hana Kākou: The Advancement of Native Hawaiians and All Residents of the Aloha State”, at the Conservative Forum for Hawaii, Sunday June 2nd, 2:00 pm, at the Naniloa Hotel Crown Room in Hilo.

In an April 2013 newspaper article, Dr. Akina wrote: “The Grassroot Institute is a strong advocate for the constitutional rights and liberties of all people including Native Hawaiians and promotes the value of “E hana kākou”– all people in Hawaii working together for a better economy, government and society. Hawaiians are rejecting an effort to impose a narrow political agenda on their community, choosing instead to affirm the Aloha spirit as the basis for society.”

“The lack of support by Hawaiians (to enroll a registry of Native Hawaiians willing to constitute a sovereign nation) is a strong indicator that the leadership of OHA and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission do not represent the will of the Hawaiian population.  The roll efforts are an attempt to impose a narrow political agenda upon a constituency which values the benefits of United States citizenship as well as the Hawaiian tradition of inclusiveness.  Clearly, this is not government “of the people by the people and for the people,” nor does it promote the Aloha spirit throughout society.”

Dr. Akina is a recognized scholar, educator, public policy spokesperson, and community leader. Akina has decades-long experience leading non-profit organizations and is an expert in East-West Philosophy. He has taught at universities in China and the United States, and continues as an adjunct instructor at Hawai`i Pacific University and the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, the free market, and limited, accountable government throughout Hawai`i and the Asia-Pacific region.

Also addressing the Forum will be Richard Rowland, former Grassroot Institute CEO and Founder, speaking  briefly on Individual Freedom in a speech titled “UP or DOWN -- The POWER of YOU; TWO by TWO”.

All are invited to this free presentation.

For event information contact Conservative Forum for Hawaii President Walter Moe at 966-5420 or email forumhawaii@gmail.com. Conservative Forum online: www.conforhawaii.com

For questions about Grassroot Institute contact Grassroot Institute Executive Director Tim Lussier at 808-591-9193 or email tim@grassrootinstitute.org. and online at www.grassrootinstitute.org