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Kale,
Can you tell us, in some detail, about the Kanaka Council. I would like to have a better understanding of it. When was it formed. How was it formed. How is it organized. What is the mission. Who are the leaders or officers. How does one become a member. And more....
I heard some of this discussed at the Planning Commission hearing on the PCDP but did not get the full picture.
Mahalo
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Assume the best and ask questions.
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Aloha Rob,
The Kanaka Council Moku O Keawe was formed a little over 2 years ago. The intent was to organize Hawaiian sovereignty groups, community organizations, individuals and supporters with the intent of protecting Hawaiian traditions, customs and cultural rights and resources on this island from mauka to makai. By protecting these rights [black]everyone would benefit.
I was the principal organizer and brought together Uncle Sam Kaleleiki (Puna) a kanaka maoli and Kupuna, Palikapu Dedman (Ka'u) of the Pele Defense Fund, John Roberts (Kona) of Kahu O Kahiko, Jimmy Medeiros (Kona)of Protect Keopuka Ohana and Keoni Choy (Puna)of the Temple of Lono. All these individuals are practitioners in various disciplines of Hawaiian culture and have either been involved with court cases or have won Supreme Court decisions relating to Hawaiian issues, culture and/or resources. We have no leaders or titles given to participants and decisions are made by consensus vote.
It was important to bring these "people resources" together to form a very strong and formidable entity to protect our rights, culture, customs and traditions under the law. We knew that our rights protected under the law were
being violated and ignored by the Federal, State and County governments. Burial sites were being dug up, ceded lands that are to be held in trust for the Hawaiian people were being sold/leased illegally by the State, the Hilo county landfill, sewage treatment plant and airport were built on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and our Hawaiian people had to bear the brunt of it, illegal harvesting of koa trees were being taken and this is just to name a few.
The Kanaka Council also believes in "homerule". The Kanaka Council has focused on the County of Hawaii because they did not have one ordinance to protect and sustain Hawaiian rights. The county's leadership knew they were violating the State of Hawaii Constitution under Article XII Section 7 and asked for our help in drafting laws for the county after bringing this to their attention.
The Kanaka Council is not an exclusing organization. We encourage all organizations, groups and individuals from all the districts throughout the island to join the Kanaka Council. We know that together we can "Keep this moku pono". Attending meetings and bringing issues that are pono is all that is needed to join the Kanaka Council. Recently meetings have been held in Hilo but we usually have meetings in Ka'u, Kona, Waimea, Kohala, Hilo and Puna. We rotated our meetings to provide access for those in all the districts.
The Kanaka Council stands apart from all other organizations by following cultural protocols, promoting social justice, practicing environmental sustainability and enhancing our spiritual fulfillment with our Kupuna (ancestors). We share our knowledge with those who are pono and use it in the right way.
The Kanaka Council is automous and self funded. Each member of the Kanaka Council pays their own expenses and whenever possible provides food for potlock at each meeting. Most importantly, there are no outside influences to gain our support. Is it pono? Is the measuring stick used by the Kanaka Council when getting involved in issues.
The Kanaka Council recognizes that majority of the residents and Hawaiians are not familiar with the laws, traditions, customs and cultural rights and we are here to provide the education and support should someone need help. The Kanaka Council is successful because our purpose is "pono".
Malama aina e malama o ke kai....
Kale Gumapac, Alaka'i
Kanaka Council Moku O Keawe
Candidate for County Councl Puna Makai
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The following is a list of issues the Kanaka Council have influenced since its inception:
1. Stopping Kyle Dong, David DeLuz Jr. and his company from harvesting 12,000 acres of koa forests above Hilo.
2. Getting the Army Corp of Engineers to order the removal of over 100 illegal bouys anchored in ko'a (ancient fishing grounds) from Kona to Ka'u used for tour and dive boat operators that West Hawaii Fisheries Council authorized. Being instrumental on a policy change by the Army Corp of Engineers to consult with Hawaiian groups like the Kanaka Council on all islands before issuing permits that will impact cultural, traditional and customary sites.
3. Stopping the development in Punalu'u from destroying green turtle nesting grounds, destruction of ancient sites and the building proliferation proposed.
4. Called for support from all islands to attend a 2 day vigil to intervene on the desecration of Ahu'ena Heiau by the new hotel owners who declared they owned the ancient temple of King Kamehameha. Over 2000 people from all islands came. Case is currently in litigation.
5. Opposed the deployment of the Stryker Brigade on the Island of Hawaii.
6. Called upon the military to clean-up the Depleted Uranium at Pohakuloa.
7. Met with Mazie Hirono to voice our opposition to the secretive and illegal building of roads by the Stryker Brigade throughout the mountains of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and down to Honaunau after we discovered these illegal roads while investigating illegal koa harvesting above Honaunau.
8. Supported the ban on Superstores on this island and gave testimony at numerous Planning Commission and County Council hearings. Our position was the negative impact on local farmers, small business owner and negates the self sustainability concept.
9. Opposed the settlement between the State of Hawaii and OHA regarding the ceded lands settlement and gave testimony at the State legislaure. OHA neglected to get approval from the beneficiaries...the Hawaiian people.
10. Stopped the expansion of Kona Blue Ocean Fish Farms by filing for a contested case hearing and citing the State of Hawaii entered into an illegal lease agreement of ceded lands. Kona Blue withdrew their application.
11. Met with DOCARE Officers from DLNR to educate and clarify their understanding of our gathering, cultural, traditional and customary rights under State of Hawaii Constitution.
12. Intervened with bulldozer operators on the destruction of ancient burial sites in Puna.
13. The Kanaka Council is opposing the release of a scale on the waiawi bush as there have been no guarantees that it will not affect other indigenous plants and vegetation.
14. The Kanaka Council is in support of amending the ordinance to prevent pin to pin grading and grubbing.
15. The Kanaka Council is also in support of the amended PCDP to authorize the Kanaka Council to oversee Hawaiian issues regarding culture and resources.
This is just the tip of many issues confronting the Hawaiian people and the people of this island. The Kanaka Council believes that the Hawaiians have the laws in place to insure the protection of their rights and resources of which all will enjoy. We encourage your participation with the Kanaka Council. Our voice is heard when we speak as one.
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Kale; Does the Kanaka Council have a web site, and if not how does one contact them for a site evaluation prior to doing any grading of our building site, to insure we don't inadvertently destroy any vegitation that should be left undisturbed or violate any customs we may not be aware of? It is entirely to easy make a mistake that cannot be corrected and get one off on the wrong foot from day one.
dick wilson
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
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Aloha Dick,
We do not have a website up....we are working on getting it up and running....until then you can call 982-9020 and we will assist you.
Malama aina,
Kale
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Kale; Mahalo nui loa for the quick response, For sure we will be calling when we start building. I'm delighted to have a resource to keep us from making a mistake and getting off to a bad start.
dick wilson
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
