"POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES"
SEVEN CRITICAL AREAS OF LIFE THAT MOST OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED BUT NATIVE HAWAIIANS ARE DEPRIVED OF IN THEIR OWN HOMELAND
Today's Focus -
‘AINA, WAI AND KAI (LAND, FRESHWATER AND OCEAN WATER) –
The health and survival of Hawaiians depends on the health of our ‘aina.
Hawaiian cultural values promote lokahi (accord) with the environment, which is essential for long-term sustainability. It is our sacred responsibility to malama ‘aina (care for the land.)
We call for -
- Changes in land use laws, and planning processes to require that land development must also pass a Hawaiian review system.·
- Implementation of a culturally based resource management system.·
- Development of ahupua’a-based (land division from the uplands to the sea) land use planning.·
- Creation of a new traditional Hawaiian zoning category for communities with large Hawaiian communities which would require development to be consistent with Hawaiian cultural principles and practices.·
- Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Land and Natural Resources to open up more raw lands for homesteading.·
- Approve any pending leases with community organizations currently on the land.·
- Expedite the process for acquiring lands.·
- Support the creation of “liberated zones” by maka’ainana (commoners) land occupation efforts.·
- Return the stolen waters to their original source. Change Hawai’i’s water code to protect ahupua’a integrity and Hawaiian cultural uses before other uses are allowed.·
- Free and clean water for everyone.·
- A moratorium on ceded lands sale and development of raw lands.
