Hale Pai
Pacific American News Journal
Mei-May 1996 Volume 2 Issue 5
Options
Recently we have witnessed several important decisions made on
behalf of our Pacific American communities. And in each case the
decisions were reached quickly because no one offered any
options, alternative choices or another way.
Too often we don't challenge in a thoughtful and consistent
manner the premises upon which decisions are made before they are
made, and we walk away having to live with the knowledge that we
could have made a difference but we weren't an effective part of
the process.
We Look forward to doing cultural things because they are
exciting, enjoyable, and educational. And there aren't much of a
need for options. Health care, education, business, leadership,
and social policies are all our responsibility. We to be involved
and offer options upon solutions other options until the answer
we hear is the answer best for our Pacific American communities.
On Saturday, April 13, 1996 a wonderful and almost unique
event happened in the community of Ko`olau loa on the Windward
side of Oahu.
It was the spirit of laulima(many hands working together) that
brought together more than 450 community volunteers to
participate in traditional process that used to take place in
preparation for a lu`au. These volunteers were among the many
hundreds living in Ko`olau Loa (Wai`hole, Waikane, Hakipu`u,
Ka`a`awa, Kahana, Punalu`u, Hau`ula, La`ie, Kahuku, and North
Shore) who had been conducting community forums and public
meetings to help them recapture their traditions, culture, and to
take charge of the well being of their entire moku. The
inspiration behind this renaissance came from the leadership of
The Queen Emma Foundation and the Queen Lili`uokalni Trust. They
provided the vision, a little help, asked the people to be
accountable.
When leaders lead as servants, stand shoulder to shoulder with
the people gathering the imu stones and catching `opae, and hold
everyone to high standards we than are on the right path to being
a sovereign people.
Well done!
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Copyright © 1996 Hale Pai Pacific American-News Journal
Last modified: February 28, 1998
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