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Russ Roberts, administrator/owner
Hawaii News Digest
Not all or only Native Hawaiians don’t believe Gov. Ige went nearly far enough toward protecting Mauna Kea.
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Thanks for your comment, Carolyn. You’re quite right. Not everyone is happy with the decision reached by Hawaii Governor David Ige. However, government is the art of compromise, and Governor Ige has given some “piece of the pie” to each group. The solution is not perfect, but it is a way forward. A real lasting decision won’t be made until Native Hawaiians decide what kind of government they want. That decision could come this year when delegates attend a constitutional convention dealing with sovereignty. If Native Hawaiians can speak with one voice, those in power will be more willing to listen. It’s the old “divide and conquer” principal effectively employed by the Roman Empire for over a thousand years. In 1995, Native Americans on the U.S. mainland faced similar recognition problems as do Hawaiians today. The larger tribes met and agreed to press Congress and President Clinton on certain issues they all could agree upon. President Clinton and Congress eventually admitted their errors and began implementing parts of treaties long ignored by the federal government. Was the solution perfect? No…but a common philosophy was agreed upon, a single point of contact was established, and some progress was made. Once there is a single “governmental entity” that the federal and state governments will recognize, then some of the long standing issues, such as poor oversight of Mauna Kea and respect for certain cultural practices, may be resolved. Too many uncoordinated voices and competing goals will only give those in power a firm incentive to do nothing. So, while Governor Ige’s management plan leaves a lot to be desired, it’s at least a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, Native Hawaiians can change the leadership of OHA, get elected to office, and change the laws. As you suggest, there are many non-Hawaiians who are sympathetic to the plight of Native Hawaiians. These groups should not be rejected, especially at election time. While emotional outbursts and anger are to be expected from this controversy, these alone will not sway those who really control our lives–those with money and the political power it brings. We have to accept the reality of the 21st century if we hope to change its direction. Aloha, Russ.
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Moving Management of Mauna Kea to DLNR is just re dealing the same cards. DLNR might replace any decommissioned telescope with
Geo Thermal…Nowwouldn’t that be respectful and attractive
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Good point, Carolyn! That kind of move wouldn’t surprise me at all. To make any difference at all, Native Hawaiians must retain control of the lands now managed in trust by the state. To do that, Native Hawaiians need to “get on the same page” when it comes to self-governance. In the interim, change the current system by getting involved in the economic and political life of the state. Run for office, replace those who won’t or can’t help you, and pressure state and federal officials to follow the law. In other words, come to grips with reality and change the system from within. Change rests with education and realizing that you must acknowledge the present while you strive to protect the past. Too many of our state’s children and young adults (both Native Hawaiian and other ethnic groups) are poorly educated and functionally illiterate. I’m a teacher and I see this disturbing trend on a daily basis. There’s no reason a child born in Hawaii has be satisfied with a sub-standard job or role in life. All of this begins in the home where a respect for both cultural and professional knowledge must be encouraged. Ignorance, poor education, and undisciplined emotion have been the undoing of many people. Unfortunately, we live in a world where profit, marketing, and power are the real deciders of our fate. In the military I learned an important lesson: to defeat the enemy, think like the enemy. The late cartoonist Walt Kelly of “Pogo” fame said it better than I: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Thank you for your comments. Aloha, Russ.
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Hi Russ – Invitation for pizza’s still open, latchstring’s out. Jim’s closed Mon and we have Bible study Wed, other days/nites fine. Dunno how else to contact you, but will try others next.
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Sorry about the delayed reply. I’ve been working as a full-time substitute teacher (special education) at the Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School since mid-September. Most of my weekdays are pretty full. This weekend is out, because of prior commitments. Thanks for the invite–I’ll keep you posted. The best place to reach me is through my cell phone–936-0147 or at my email address–kh6jrm@arrl.net. Aloha, Russ.
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I’m happy to read anything you write, Russ! Mike Holland suggested I get in touch with you. Very happy to see your blog 🙂
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Thanks for joining us. Please feel free to weigh-in on any topic I throw out. I always enjoy UH-Manoa publications–they keep me posted on what’s happening on campus. As Mike Holland may have told you, we were members of the imfamous crew that started KTUH-FM back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. So, both of us have a soft spot for the Manoa Campus, despite what the current administration and athletic department are doing to damage the school’s public image. I guess all institutions go through the “boom and bust” cycle. UH still has enormous potential for helping the state out of its economic and social problems. Why hire all of these expensive outside consultants when the university is fully capable of conducting state of the art research? I have a feeling that the state Legislature really doesn’t trust the faculty and students. I suppose legislators will claim “conflict of interest”, since UH is a state-supported institution. Anyway, feel free to criticize any views that seem out of line. After almost 40 years in the broadcast news business, I’ve developed a pretty thick skin. Yes, I do occasionally put the proverbial “foot in the mouth”, when some issue gets me wound up. When that happens, fire me a note. Sometimes, I have to be brought back to earth. Aloha, Russ.
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