In February, Rep. Mele Carroll travelled to Washington D.C. to reach out to President Barrack Obama’s administration on the issue of “ceded lands.”
This Legislative Session has brought to the forefront many Hawaiian issues, including those of “ceded lands,” protecting taro, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
As Chairwoman of the House Hawaiian Affairs Committee and Chairwoman of the Legislative Hawaiian Caucus, which consists of six State Senators and 22 State Representatives, I have kept an open and transparent discussion to educate lawmakers on the cultural, emotional, and inherent significance of these “ceded lands” to the Hawaiian people.
In late January 2009, the Caucus supported a full moratorium on the selling of “ceded lands” and introduced a bill that became the Caucus’ priority as part of a legislative package.
The legislative fight for a moratorium is one that has united kupuna, native Hawaiians, lawmakers, communities, and activists from across the state. The resounding support to bar the selling of “ceded lands” until the reconciliation process can take place is not simply there to institute a legal measure. The powerful emotions and voices that have emerged from our Kukakuka with Hawai‘i’s community reflect the willingness of Hawai‘i’s people to continue to move forward with this healing process and to protect the lands for future generations.
In February, I travelled to Washington D.C. to reach out to President Barrack Obama’s administration on the issue of “ceded lands.” While I was not able to speak with the President in person, I did establish a presence with his administration and open the line of communication for future discussions on this issue. It is essential that the “ceded lands” discussion continues at every level of government in order to educate the public in finding the most effective and just way to reach reconciliation with the Hawaiian people.
I also found it essential to bring the discussion of addressing income due to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, as constitutionally mandated for the 30-year period from November 7, 1978 to July 1, 2008, to the Hawaiian people from across the state. In February, I took the House Hawaiian Affairs Committee to Moloka‘i, Maui, Kona, Hilo, and Kaua‘i to hear testimony on House Bill 901, which explores finally meeting the State’s obligation to OHA for that 30-year period settlement through an exchange in land.
This legislative session also saw Hawai‘i’s commitment to ensuring taro security when the House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs received over 500 testimonies in support of a bill to prohibit the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting or growing of genetically modified taro in the State of Hawai‘i.
Through active participation and by keeping the lines of communication open between the Hawaiian community, general public, and lawmakers, all of Hawai‘i’s people will be able to ensure a future that is pono.
