FreeHawaii.Info CONTINUES INDIAN COUNTRY TODAYS' HIGHLIGHT OF THE AKAKA BILL

Akaka Bill revisions draw Hawaiian ire

by Jerry Reynolds / Washington D.C. correspondent / Indian Country Today

Washington - Whatever the ultimate meaning of these distinctions in law, they and a number of other major revisions got the attention of Mililani Trask.

A Native rights activist who represents indigenous Hawaiian people in several
international forums, among them the Organization of American States and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Trask denounced the revised bill in a widely distributed e-mail. In the process she identified the specific nature of
negotiations set forth in the revision, but mentioned only in passing and somewhat obscurely at the April 21 meeting:

"A new addition to the bill is the requirement that the U.S. and the state of Hawaii must obtain a global settlement for [indigenous] Hawaiian lands and revenues before the [indigenous] Hawaiian nation is recognized. In addition, the new bill says that the U.S. Congress and the state legislature must pass laws approving the global settlement [i.e., between the federal government, the state of Hawaii and the indigenous Hawaiian governing entity] before the nation is recognized."

Another point not mentioned at the hearing is the referral of Native Hawaiian claims against the U.S. to U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Trask interprets this to mean that "Hawaiian claims for the overthrow [of the indigenous Hawaiian monarchy in 1893] and for economic development rights under our treaties will be lost. All historic claims relating to mismanagement or transfer of trust lands and assets will also not be allowed. These claims cannot be addressed under international law at
the U.N. They must be litigated with the U.S. in Federal court.

Trask issued an immediate call for "all sovereign Hawaiians" to contact Sen. Bill Frist,
R-Tenn., Senate Majority Leader, stating opposition to S. 344 and demanding a
congressional hearing on the bill in Hawaii. Senators Akaka and fellow Hawaii Democrat Daniel Inouye, a co-sponsor, have asked Frist for time to consider the bill on the Senate floor in a crowded legislative schedule. That crowded schedule, and the legislative gridlock setting in
around it, looms large for several items of
complex legislation, besides S. 344 - including national energy legislation.

We Conclude With Part Three Tomorrow

INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY HIGHLIGHTS AKAKA BILL "SNOW JOB"

Akaka Bill revisions draw Hawaiian ire

by Jerry Reynolds / Washington D.C. correspondent / Indian Country Today

WASHINGTON - After a year and a half of delicate maneuvers designed to navigate the Akaka Bill through the 108th Congress with a minimum of stormy weather, its sponsors turned in a virtuoso job of sailing close to the wind without quite capsizing at an April 21 business meeting of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on S. 344.

The reason for the meeting was to report Senate Bill 344 (commonly referred to as the Akaka Bill from its lead sponsor, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii) to the full Senate a second time, in an amended version this time around. According to the initial statement of Pat Zell, the committee's Democratic chief of staff, the amended version addresses the concerns of the Bush administration, and in particular the Interior Department, with the original version of the bill that would extend federal recognition to Native Hawaiians. Zell presented the new bill to the committee in narrative form. Under questioning however from Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., the committee chairman, she revised her estimate of Interior's enthusiasm downward by noting that only "most" of its concerns with the original bill had been met. Neither Interior nor the Justice Department has endorsed the bill, though Zell said their concerns contributed to the revision.

The new short title tells a tale of sea-changes that have alarmed some indigenous
Hawaiians. Instead of unamended S. 344's "Native Hawaiian Recognition Act of 2003," the amended short title is "Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2004."

Still more complex is the amended purpose of the bill. S. 344 offered a relatively
straightforward, "The purpose of this Act is to provide a process for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity for purposes of continuing a
government-to-government relationship." Senate Amendment 3043 substitutes: "The purpose of this Act is to provide a process for the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity and the reaffirmation of the political and legal relationship between the United States and the Native Hawaiian governing entity for purposes of continuing a government-to-government relationship."

The one recognizes a government, the other reorganizes it. But the "reaffirmation of the
political and legal relationship" language of the amended purpose also implies the history of indigenous self-governance in the islands, meaning it might be seen to recognize the government it would reorganize.

Continued Tomorrow In Part Two...

ANGER RESURFACES OVER RETRIEVING ARTIFACTS

The Honolulu Advertiser - Friday, May 28, 2004

By Vicki Viotti - Advertiser Staff Writer

Conflict is brewing again over the Bishop Museum's handling of burial artifacts, especially the ongoing push by museum officials and others to retrieve objects that were reburied four years ago in Kawaihae Caves.

Native Hawaiian groups, including those that oppose any re-entry to the caves, yesterday
announced plans for a 24-hour prayer vigil.

William Brown, museum president and chief executive officer, yesterday said he still has
hopes of gaining permission of the Hawaiian Homes Commission to retrieve the 83 rare Hawaiian artifacts from the caves, which are on Hawaiian homestead lands under the commission's control.

Last September, the commission had denied that request, despite a finding by a federal panel that the repatriation process was flawed because the objects were reburied by only one of the 13 claimants.

Commission Chairman Micah Kane was unavailable for comment, but spokesman Lloyd Yonenaka said the commission has no plan to grant access unless the knotty dispute is untangled.

The 24-hour vigil, which will start at noon tomorrow at the museum, was organized by the
native rights group '?lio'ulaokalani Coalition in observance of Memorial Day to seek "the expeditious repatriation of all iwi kupuna, ancestral human remains," said Kaho'onei Panoke, coalition vice president.

Panoke emphasized the event, which was arranged with permission of the museum, is a peaceful expression. But some participants voiced anger with Brown's administration of the federal repatriation law, known as NAGPRA, or the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Both Pu'uhonua "Bumpy" Kanahele, who heads the Nation of Hawai'i, and Professor Jon Osorio of the Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, called for Brown's removal as museum chief.

Eddie Ayau, a member of Hui Malama, said the museum has failed to repatriate another of its claims, a set of remains and objects, to a Moloka'i site. The museum has returned another Moloka'i artifact - the sandstone slabs known as Kalaina Wawae - but has retained legal ownership, Ayau said.

"This is so, whenever they like, they can take them back," he said.

COPYRIGHT 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO PRESS FOR RELEASE OF SACRED ANCESTRAL REMAINS

lio`ulaokalani Coalition To Co-Sponsor 24-Hour Vigil

lio`ulaokalani Coalition along with Hui Malama i na Kupuna o Hawai`i Nei,
University of Hawai`i - Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies and the
Nation of Hawai`i, will hold a 24 hr. prayer vigil at the Bishop Museum on
May 29th and 30th , 2004.

The vigil begins promptly at 12 noon May 29th .

This prayer vigil seeks the expeditious repatriation of all iwi kupuna (ancestral
human remains) and moe pū held at the Bishop Museum, and spiritual protection
for the Kawaihae iwi kupuna and moe pu .

While many this coming Memorial Day weekend will remember, visit and lay
flowers at veteran cemeteries nationwide including Punchbowl – the National
Memorial of the Pacific and Arlington National Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers,
Native Hawaiians will also pay tribute to those who have gone before.

lio`ulaokalani Coalition and supporting Native Hawaiian Organizations mentioned,
will lead this prayer vigil at the Bishop Museum where approximately 100 human
remains continue to be held by the Museum.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act require the rightful
repatriation of these bones (cultural items), sacred objects, associated and
unassociated funerary objects, and cultural patrimony.

We emphasize that this is a prayer vigil and ask the public to respect the sanctity of
this gathering.We encourage the Native Hawaiian community and supporters to join us in pule(prayer.) All who attend are reminded to bring their own mea `ai, water, and related necessities for the 24 hr. vigil.

Parking will be available on the grounds of the Bishop Museum and after school
hours at Kapalama Elementary. Street parking available.

Pule will occur every hour on the hour beginning at noon until 6 p.m. From 6 p.m.
until sunrise, pule will be observed every three hours. Thereafter, we will resume
pule every hour on the hour until closing at noon on May 30th .

To downloaded the pule, visit www.ilio.org.

HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE SHOW AIRS ON 'OLELO TELEVISION IN HAWAI'I THIS WEEKEND.

Channel 52 on O'ahu Features Show On Independence Movement

A pro Independence television show is now airing on 'Olelo Saturday evenings at 8:30 PM.

"Voices of Truth," produced by the Koani Foundation, explores the possibilities of Independence and looks at the ramifications of federal recognition.

The series also interviews activists in the movement to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.

"An Activist's Dedication To Independence" is the topic of this Saturday evenings segment. The show will also be repeated Monday morning, the 31st at 9 AM.

HAWAIIAN BURIALS THREATENED

Native Hawaiians Seek To Protect Sacred Items

On Saturday, May 29, 2004, Hawaiians will hold a 24-hour vigil at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum beginning at noon to pray for the protection of iwi küpuna (ancestral remains) and moepü (burial objects) from Kawaihae. Their actions are in response to Bishop Museum efforts to re-open a burial cave from where these items originated and where they are now laid back to rest.

In 1905 looters broke into a Kawaihae burial cave stealing from it sacred iwi (bones) of ali'i (chiefs) and their moepü placed with them. The Bishop Museum soon after appraised and purchased the iwi and moepü with full knowledge of the theft. In 2000, Hui Mälama I Nä Küpuna O Hawai'i Nei secured these items back in the cave from which they were stolen.

By 2001, after years of deliberation, the process involving the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was concluded with respect to the Kawaihae case, and resulted in the iwi and moepü remaining in the Kawaihae cave. But Bishop Museum Director William Brown is attempting to undo this outcome.

"Brown seeks to desecrate Hawaiian burials. When the Kawaihae burial cave was first looted in 1905, the director of the Museum at that time, Dr. William Brigham, knew of how the items were acquired, but instead of informing the authorities, he suggested a way to help conceal the theft and later acquired the items for the Museum. What¹s even more disgraceful is that nearly a century later the same colonialism and paternalism persists at Bishop Museum in the form of Dr. William Brown," says Dr. Jon Osorio, Acting Director of the University of Hawai'i Kamakaküokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies.

Brown refuses to repatriate iwi küpuna and moepü from Molokai against the dictates of NAGPRA ­ even going so far as firing the Vice President of Cultural Studies (a Native Hawaiian) for insisting that the repatriation occur. Brown is also attempting to maintain the Museum¹s dubious ownership of mea kapu (sacred objects) seized from 'Iolani Palace by the Provisional Government shortly after the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, thwarting the efforts of Hawaiians to restore these objects permanently to the Palace. Brown has forbidden Native Hawaiian Museum staff from conducting cultural protocols that they feel are called for in the work that they do at the Museum.

Vigil participants plan to remain at the Museum overnight and to have a continual presence at Museum events until they are assured that the Museum Board has directed Brown to permanently halt all efforts to remove the iwi küpuna and moepü from the Kawaihae burial cave.

Says Pu'uhonua Bumpy Kanahele of the Nation of Hawai'i, "Our presence at the vigil is meant to communicate how serious and committed we are. If Brown or anyone else attempts to violate the Kawaihae burial cave, we¹ll be there to meet them. All of us who care for our küpuna, we will be there."

ALOHA!

If this is your first visit to FREEHAWAII.INFO, welcome!

FREEHAWAII.INFO is dedicated to restoring independence and sovereignty to the Hawaiian Islands.

In 1893, the independant nation of Hawai'i was illegally overthrown by rich American sugar barons and the US marines.Then President Cleveland condemned it by calling it "an act of war."

Did you know?
OVER 98% OF ALL NATIVE HAWAIIANS AND MOST NON-NATIVE SUBJECTS OF THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM WERE FULLY OPPOSED TO THE ILLEGAL OVERTHROW.

Today, those decendants of the Nation carry forth the voices of their ancestors and still oppose the illegal occupation of the US government in Hawai'i.

Hawai'i was a free nation - but never free for the taking!

A HAWAIIAN NATIONALIST SPEAKS OUT -

State evicts family from cultural park

It's interesting to know that the proverbial double-standard is alive and
well.

Here we have Hawaiians that have lived in Kahana Valley for generations and
the State decides that this taking is for the public good and interests. The
nefarious lease to fee conversion law which says, I want what you have, takes
from Hawaiians and gives it to the rich white Americans. Then you have the
state who gives leases to the military for a dollar a year to contaminate and
destroy Hawaiian lands without true accountability and allows them to buy lands
for the same devious reasons.

Now, if you're a Hawaiian, do you really think we want to be a part of the US
and under the wardship of the Akaka Bill and its tribalization? We know we
are belligerently occupied unlawfully by the US; and their deceit, fraud and
lies, profess we are US territory. If this is the Great White Hope; say, NO to
DOPES!

Free Hawai'i!
He Hawai'i au,
Tane
Pearl City, O'ahu
Hawai'i Pae 'Aina

FREEHAWAII.INFO PROUDLY PRESENTS PHOTOS OF LAST SUNDAYS ALOHA MARCH IN BOSTON -

Native Hawaiians And Their Supporters Spread The Word For An Independent Hawai'i!


Marching Right Up The Center Of The Street 

ISLAND OF KAHO'OLAWE TO BE FEATURED ON CBS NEWS SHOW "SUNDAY MORNING"

Hawaiian Politics And Culture Make It To Prime Time This Weekend

This weekends CBS News show "Sunday Morning" will feature a segment on the island of Kaho'olawe.

It will include footage of the January 1989 Makahiki. The program is aired at 7 AM in Hawai'i and CBS is on Oceanic Channel 7.

Check your local listings for air times.

ECONOMY DRIVING AWAY HAWAIIANS AND THEIR ALOHA

The Maui News
Friday, May 14, 2004

Unless we immediately find a way to preserve and help the Hawaiians the tourism industry will soon find aloha harder to sell.

With the cost of homes soaring into the millions and thousands of Hawaiian families being forced to move to the Mainland, we are depleting our greatest natural resource for aloha.

Regardless of myopic rationalization by evolutionists that Hawaiians were just lucky they got here first, the place we live and the reason we love it is Hawaiian.

As Hawaiians lose their young to hopelessness and despair and moving away, aloha is in
trouble. The Hawaiians who grow up angry all go to prison, and the poor wind up living on the beach until we roust them.

Those of you who found no problem in plopping $100,000 or more down on a home just to resell it - including brokers who buy their listings - are adding to the problem if you don't reach out and help others who can't. Homeowners who recently sold their $200,000 to $300,000 homes for $650,000 and up then couldn't afford a new house
payment because everyone played the same greed-guided game know what I'm writing about.

Hawaiians ought to run for the Maui County Council seats and the Legislature, and we should support them in that effort. Mayors and governors ought to appoint more Hawaiians to government posts. Greed, selfishness, nepotism and a lust for control are not your friends.

David Paul St. John
Kihei

AS THE POPULATION GROWS - SO DOES THE CRY FOR INDEPENDENCE!

The Honolulu Advertiser
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Native Hawaiian population rising
By Timothy Hurley - Advertiser Staff Writer

The number of U.S. residents who say they are at least part-Hawaiian or other Pacific islander is approaching 1 million, the U.S. Census Bureau reported yesterday.

The nation's population of Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders rose by 4 percent to 943,000 in the two years following the 2000 Census, the agency said. A similar growth rate would push the population past 980,000 today.

The Census Bureau yesterday released a variety of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander data as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

The numbers indicate that the nation's largest Pacific islander group is Native Hawaiians (401,000), while Samoans are No. 2 (133,000).

Hawai'i is home to the largest population (271,000) of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders, and boasts the country's largest proportion, with 22 percent of the population falling into that category.

Honolulu is home to more Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders (179,000) than any other county in the nation, while Hawai'i County has the largest proportion (30 percent of its population) among counties of least 100,000 people.

HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE TELEVISION SHOW ON O'AHU

Two New Segments Of "VOICES OF TRUTH" Airing On 'Olelo Television -

A pro Independence television show is now airing on 'Olelo.

"Voices of Truth," produced by the Koani Foundation, explores the possibilities of Independence and looks at the ramifications of federal recognition.

The series also interviews activists in the movement to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.

This weekends segments feature an interview with Hawaiian filmmaker and activist Meleanna Meyer Saturday the 22nd at 8 PM.

At 8:30 PM is an interview with UH anthropologist Stephen Boggs.

The shows are repeated on Sunday the 23rd at 7:30 AM and at 6 PM.

For more programming information on "Voices of Truth," visit the 'Oleo programming guide at http://www.olelo.org/programming/ProgramGuidebyTitle.htm

HAWAIIAN GROUPS GATHER AT UNITED NATIONS FORUM

The Honolulu Advertiser
Thursday, May 13, 2004

By Vicki Viotti Advertiser Staff Writer

A delegation of 18 people representing various Native Hawaiian groups is at the United Nations for the next two weeks, seeking international support for Hawaiian rights at the third Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The forum was established in 2002 to give a voice to indigenous issues, enabling native people to present needs to U.N. agencies that can provide financial support.

The focus of this year's forum is indigenous women, but among the various issues being
explored, education is one of particular interest in the Hawai'i caucus, said Kai'opua Fyfe, a board member of the nonprofit Koani Foundation, a Hawaiian unity organization.

The caucus is hoping for support of using the charter school model "as a means of establishing indigenous education systems," Fyfe said.

Other forum topics include health, culture, socioeconomic issues, human rights and
environment.

"Under 'culture' we will be raising issues related to protection of indigenous knowledge, Mauna Kea and other sacred sites, 'iwi kupuna (bones), and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands" Le'a Kanehe, a member of Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui Hawai'i, told The Advertiser via e-mail.

Kanehe added that the caucus will present testimony on the federal recognition bill during the segment on human rights.

Hawai'i also is represented by delegates from the University of Hawai'i Center on Hawaiian Studies and groups such as the 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition and the Waikiki and Prince Kuhio Hawaiian civic clubs.

Keali'i Gora, a Ka Lahui member who has been active in Hawaiian cultural education in public schools, said the caucus wants the U.N. to "support the rights of Native Hawaiians to speak our native language and to educate our children and families in the native language, using cultural paradigms and processes."

Adrian Kamali'i, representing 'Ilio'ulaokalani and the UH center, said the forum helps to "take Hawaiian issues to a different level," requesting aid from U.N. groups such as the international education agency UNESCO.

Native Hawaiian activist Mililani Trask has been active with the forum since its formation, and is now in the final year of her three-year
diplomatic term as a U.S. representative.

The forum was established in 2000 by the U.N. Economic and Social Council, despite objections from the United States and Canada.

© COPYRIGHT 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

AKAKA BILL SHAMEFUL

A Former Ofiice Of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Speaks Out -

From West Hawai'i Today - Letters to the editor (May 9, 2004)

Editor:

I am ashamed to bear the same name as the revised Akaka Bill that
will further put our Hawaiian people into a quagmire after more than
one hundred years since the theft of our Hawaiian Nation. This recent
version of the Akaka Bill S 344 is not the vehicle "...that would
grant federal recognition to Native Hawaiians." Nothing could be
further from the truth! Even the title of this latest version of the
Akaka Bill has been changed (April 21) from "Native Hawaiian
Recognition Act" to "Native Hawaiian Governmental Reorganization
Act." The Bush Administration, through its Department of Interior
Secretary Gayle Norton, is calling for a reorganization of our
Hawaiian Government before we Hawaiians have the opportunity of
self-determine what our government is to be.

With the passage of this Bill, we Hawaiians will have 20 years to go
round and round in circles set up the Bush Administration Department
of Interior, forcing us Hawaiians to get approval at each and every
step of the way from the first the Head of the Department of
Interior, Congress and State Legislature; then to go back and forth
with these entities on every single issue to be resolved. They intend
with this process to have us Hawaiians "spin our wheels" by following
this bureaucratic paper "trail of tears" and quicksand.

There is no rush to pass this fault-laden Bill at this time. It has
been over four years since we had a Federal Hearing at home for
Hawaiian Justice. This "revised" Akaka Bill S 344 is so drastically
different from any of its past versions that it necessitates Federal
Hearings to be held on these Hawaiian Islands. This is only fair as
it deals with self-determination and our Hawaiian destiny in our own
homeland of over one thousand years. It is imperative this be a true
democracy as our Hawaiian future is at stake.

E. Moanikeala Akaka

Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee

NATIVE HAWAIIANS MARCH ON BOSTON FOR INDEPENDENCE

"Free Hawai’i” The Cry As Aloha March Comes To Seat Of American Revolution

With the sounds of “Imua!” Native Hawaiians and their supporters staged an Aloha March in the heart of Boston today.

Building on the momentum of the 1998 and 2000 Aloha Marches in Washington, DC as well as the Hawaiian Ti Party in Boston harbor on July 4th, 2000, the Koani Foundation continues their series of mini-Aloha Marches across the continental United Sates.

“We started the morning with a blessing of showers from the heavens,” stated Koani Foundation Director Kai’opua Fyfe. “Our Aloha March in the afternoon was lively, vibrant and very well attended.”

The march started at 1 PM at Boston’s South Station with a pule (prayer), “Hawai’i Pono’i” sung and a dedication of the march to John “Butch” Kekahu III, Koani’s founder.

With the sounds of the pu (conch shells) resounding, the marchers proceeded through downtown Boston with the Hawaiian flag, Aloha March banner and several posters of Founder Kekahu proudly displayed.

Flyers proclaiming, “Free Hawai’i, US occupation must end!” were handed out to passersby.

The march ended at the steps of the Massachusetts State House where welcoming statements from indigenous leaders were delivered and several oli (chants) including “I Ku Mau Mau” and “E Ho Mai” were chanted. The event was concluded with “Hawai’i Aloha” sung by all.

“This was definitely a chicken skin event,” proclaimed co-sponsor Wahi Ku Moku (Boston Hawaiian Club) founder and president Al Ku’ahi Wong.

Photos of the Boston Aloha March will appear on FreeHawaii.Info in the very near future.

ALOHA MARCH IN BOSTON TOMORROW AT 1 PM -

Native Hawaiians & Their Supporters To March In Seat Of American Revolution

With the theme "Free Hawaii," the Aloha March kicks off at 1 PM tomorrow to spread the word on Independence for Hawai'i.

Marchers will also be expressing their opposition to a proposed US federal recognition process designed to restrict and ultimately extinguish Hawaiian rights and land claims against the US.

The Aloha March will begin at 1 PM at Boston's South Station. The march will proceed north on Summer Street passing the downtown crossing and continuing north on Winter Street. Marchers will cross Tremont Street passing the Park Street MBTA station at the Boston Commons and continuing to walk north on the east side pedestrian walkway. The Aloha March will end at the north side steps of the Boston Commons opposite from the State House.

Local Native American tribal leaders have been invited to participate.

Marchers are encouraged to wear native dress.

See you tomorrow at the Boston Aloha March! IMUA!

HAWAIIAN GROUPS GATHER AT THE UNITED NATIONS

The Honolulu Advertiser
Thursday, May 13, 2004
By Vicki Viotti, Advertiser Staff Writer

New York, NY - A delegation of 18 people representing various Native Hawaiian groups is at the United Nations for the next two weeks, seeking international support for Hawaiian rights at the third Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The forum was established in 2002 to give a voice to indigenous issues, enabling native people to present needs to U.N. agencies that can provide
financial support.

The focus of this year's forum is indigenous women, but among the various issues being
explored, education is one of particular interest in the Hawai'i caucus, said Kai'opua Fyfe, a board member of the nonprofit Koani Foundation, a Hawaiian unity organization.

The caucus is hoping for support of using the charter school model "as a means of establishing indigenous education systems," Fyfe said.

Other forum topics include health, culture, socioeconomic issues, human rights and
environment.

"Under 'culture' we will be raising issues related to protection of indigenous knowledge, Mauna Kea and other sacred sites, 'iwi kupuna (bones), and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands" Le'a Kanehe, a member of Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui
Hawai'i, told The Advertiser via e-mail.

Kanehe added that the caucus will present testimony on the federal recognition bill during the segment on human rights.

Hawai'i also is represented by delegates from the University of Hawai'i Center on Hawaiian Studies and groups such as the 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition
and the Waikiki and Prince Kuhio Hawaiian civic clubs.

Keali'i Gora, a Ka Lahui member who has been active in Hawaiian cultural education in public schools, said the caucus wants the U.N. to "support the rights of Native Hawaiians to speak our native language and to educate our children
and families in the native language, using cultural paradigms and processes."

Adrian Kamali'i, representing 'Ilio'ulaokalani and the UH center, said the forum helps to "take Hawaiian issues to a different level," requesting aid from U.N. groups such as the international education agency UNESCO.

Native Hawaiian activist Mililani Trask has been active with the forum since its formation, and is now in the final year of her three-year diplomatic term as a U.S. representative.

The forum was established in 2000 by the U.N. Economic and Social Council, despite objections from the United States and Canada.

© COPYRIGHT 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

AND REMEMBER - NATIVE HAWAIIANS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS MARCH FOR HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE IN AN ALOHA MARCH IN BOSTON THIS SUNDAY - JOIN US!

NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO MARCH IN BOSTON FOR HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE

Aloha March Scheduled In Seat Of American Revolution This Weekend

HONOLULU, HAWAI’I – Descendants of the Hawaiian Kingdom want their independence back and will bring that message to the Boston area Sunday, May 16th as Native Hawaiians and their supporters stage an Aloha March.

With the theme “Free Hawai’i,” participants will spread the word on the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and the goal to return the islands to an independent nation status. Marchers will also express their opposition to a federal recognition process designed to restrict and ultimately extinguish Hawaiian rights and land claims against the US.

The Aloha Marches of 1998 and 2000 in Washington, DC brought unprecedented national and international media coverage to the plight of Native Hawaiians.

“Our native brothers and sisters will march with us in solidarity,” remarked Al Ku’ahi Wong a Boston resident, Native Hawaiian expatriate and president of Wahi Ku Moku, the Boston Hawaiian Club. “We expect Hawaiians from all over the area to support this Aloha March.”

While Native Hawaiians have struggled for decades to regain the lands and political rights of their predecessors, the movement achieved national attention in 1993 when Congress and President Clinton passed the “Apology Bill” (US Public Law 103-150,) admitting US participation in the illegal act of war against the Hawaiian Kingdom.

“We want real change now, not more spare change,” states Kai’opua Fyfe of the Kauai-based Koani Foundation, Aloha March sponsor. “Can you imagine losing your land and self-governance, and 111 years later still striving to get it back?"

The Aloha March will begin Sunday at 1 PM at South Station and finish at the State House, where there will be a variety of activities. Local Native American tribal leaders have been invited to participate. Marchers are encouraged to wear native dress.

HERE’S PART TWO OF FREEHAWAII.INFO’S REPORT –
NATIVE HAWAIIANS GIVE INPUT AT UNITED NATIONS

Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues Brings Recommendations From Hawaiian Organizations

New York, NY – Native Hawaiians continue to make a strong showing at the Third Annual Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in New York City.

As part of the Pacific Region Caucus, Hawaiians and their supporters from several organizations issued a series of ten recommendations to the world body regarding education.

FreeHawaii.Info presents the final five recommendations along with the signers below –

6. We recommend that the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) urge the observer member states such as the United States of America and UN support organizations, to provide culturally based education and rehabilitation programs and classes for indigenous inmates and adjudicated minors.

7. We urge the adoption by reference of the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education’s 1999 Coolangatta Statement on Education, which ensures the rights of indigenous peoples for education.

8. We urge the adoption by reference of the Paoakalani Declaration, a unifying statement that collectively shares the responsibility to determine a pono (righteous) future for Hawai’i Nei, her culture, and indigenous peoples.

9. We urge the PFII to adopt the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and

10. Finally, we urge the PFII to declare a second decade on indigenous peoples as there is so much more work to accomplish and in order to continue to give indigenous peoples throughout the world a strong foundation and voice.

Agreeing Organizations –

‘Ilioulaokalani Foundation
Ka Lahui Hawai’i
Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies
Koani Foundation
Na Koa Ikaika O Ka Lahui Hawai’i
Price Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club
Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club

NATIVE HAWAIIANS GIVE INPUT AT UNITED NATIONS

Day Two At Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues Brings Recommendations From Hawaiian Organizations

New York, NY – Native Hawaiians made a strong showing today at the Third Annual Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations in New York City.

As part of the Pacific Region Caucus, Hawaiians and their supporters from several organizations issued a series of ten recommendations to the world body regarding education.

FreeHawaii.Info presents the first five today –

1.We recommend that the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) urges member states and UN support organizations to recognize Kanaka Maoli Native Hawaiians as the indigenous peoples of Ka Pae ‘Aina o Hawai’i, the archipelago of Hawai’i.

2.We recommend that the PFII supports the right of Native Hawaiians and all indigenous peoples to speak our own Native languages and to educate our children and families in our Native language utilizing our own cultural paradigms and processes.

3.We recommend that the PFII urges observer member states such as the United States of America and UN support organizations to support Kanaka Maoli Native Hawaiians and all indigenous peoples by providing or continuing to provide vital financial and other resources to develop culturally appropriate educational systems and institutions for children and adults from pre-school through the achievement of higher education degrees and to provide educational scholarships, thereby ensuring the survival of our culture and people, and in this way, training future generations of leaders.

4.We recommend that the PFII urge the observer member states such as the United States of America and UN support organizations, to reevaluate federal and state laws that deprive indigenous people of their rights and fundamental freedoms relating to indigenous education. Specifically, the negative cultural impacts of the USA-No Child Left Behind Act.

5.We recommend that the PFII urge the observer member states such as the United States of America and UN support organizations to clarify the necessary components of an indigenous university: 1- A location or center of learning community. 2- Indigenous faculty that nurture, mentor and serve as role models for the indigenous community. 3- Connects to the indigenous community requiring input from and services to the indigenous community.

Tomorrow – recommendations six through ten and the signing organizations to this document.

THIRD ANNUAL PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES OPENS AT UNITED NATIONS

Native Hawaiians Have Large Representation At International Forum

New York, NY – Native Hawaiians were in broad attendance today at the opening of the Third Annual Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations.

Education, culture, and human rights, including independence, are some of the issues that Hawaiians, as part of the Pacific Region Caucus, are working together on towards a unified statement that all Pacific Caucus members can ascribe to and support

“One of the great success stories in Hawai’i so far are our native charter schools as a means of establishing indigenous education systems,” stated Kai’opua Fyfe, a director of the Koani Foundation. “Really all of the ingredients of independence, culture and even human rights start with education and the native Hawaiian charter schools are flourishing to the extent that they can now be models for the rest of the Polynesian Triangle and Pacific nations.”

A highlight of today’s’ session was welcoming remarks delivered by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who promised increased UN support for the Permanent Indigenous Forum.

In a further show of impact of Hawaiian participation, activist Mililani Trask was re-elected by acclamation of the assembly as a vice-president of the Forum.

The Forum continues through next week with presentation of recommendations regarding indigenous issues as a function of the Polynesian and global community.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS SPEAK AT UNITED NATIONS

Pacific Region Influence Grows At Third Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues

New York, NY - Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Region Indigenous Peoples gather this week and next at the United Nations for the third annual Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The Koani Foundation, a Kaua’i based unity organization, is participating with other Native Hawaiians in articulating and addressing human rights, environmental, economic and social issues before the international assembly.

“We are outcasts in our own homeland,” remarked Koani Foundation board member Kai’opua Fyfe. ”However, our Nation survives today despite more than a century of belligerent occupation, forced assimilation, and cultural oppression”.

The Permanent Forum has designated “Indigenous Women” as the theme for this year’s gathering. “Our women are critical to the perpetuation of our culture and the improvement of our future. We are deeply concerned with the health and well-being of our mothers, sisters and wives,” Fyfe observed.

In addition to Polynesian Triangle members Hawai’i, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island), other Pacific Region participants include representatives from Australia, Fiji, Papua, Melanesia and Micronesia

“We support our indigenous brothers and sisters,” declared Fyfe. “We recognize that their struggle is ours. We share the same history and unity is the key to our future.”

The forum, which runs for two weeks through May 21st, was established in 2000 at the recommendation of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

For more information, contact the Koani Foundation at (808) 822-7643 or freehawaii@earthlink.net.

HERE'S AN EASY WAY TO LET YOUR SENATORS KNOW YOU'RE AGAINST FEDERAL RECOGNITION FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS!

Simply Cut & Paste The Letter Below, Fill In The Blanks, Sign Your Name & Email Or Fax -

Dear Senator _______________,

I write to you on a matter of grave concern.

I vehemently oppose SB.344, the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2003, also known as the Akaka-Stevens bill. It falsely purports to award political self-determination to Native Hawaiians through US federal recognition.

I ask that you oppose this legislation by supporting the anonymous hold on SB. 344 and voting against it should it come to the floor.

SB.344 names the US Department of Interior as the administrative agency to oversee, authorize and implement a political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the United States.

The US Department of Justice has serious constitutional issues with this bill, already facing similar challenges with federally recognized Native American Tribes.

Undoubtedly, passage of SB.344 will cause a landslide of costly litigation to ultimately resolve its constitutionality. If passed, it will become a legal nightmare for all concerned parties.

This bill is bad for the United States and bad for Hawaiians. Contrary to what you are being told, Hawaiians do not support this legislation!

I am aware that Hawaii’s elected representatives are currently lobbying intensely in Washington, DC for passage of this bill.

I am also aware of Hawai’i Governor Linda Lingle’s attempts to personally persuade you to support this bill. Please do not be persuaded.

Senators Inouye and Akaka, Representatives Case and Abercrombie, Governor Lingle, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and any other S.344 advocates do not speak for me on this bill!

I stand unified with my Hawaiian brothers and sisters, staunchly opposed to SB.344.

Please help us defeat this bill.

PLEASE OPPOSE SB.344.

Thank you,

AN HAWAIIAN PATRIOT SPEAKS OUT!

OHA AND THE AKAKA BILL

In his May 2nd Commentary, OHA's Administrator; Clyde Namu'o finally admits that "the Hawaiian people" do not support the Akaka Bill. OHA has tried for over 3-years to shove the Akaka Bill down our (Native Hawaiians) throat, as Mr. Namu’o puts it, "to preserve federal recognition as an option should the Hawaiian people later decide that they want federal recognition as a form of government." The keywords that Mr. Namu’o wrote are "later decide," showing that OHA understands that "the Hawaiian people" do not support the Akaka Bill today.

Looking at the results of Native Americans and Alaska Natives federal recognition, I doubt the Hawaiian people or the non-Hawaiian descendants of citizens of the Kingdom of Hawaii would ever want to go there. Hawaiians are in better shape now than most of the federally recognized folks, and our claims to our sovereignty and our national lands are intact as well. If OHA should succeed in shoving the Akaka Bill down our throats, the only hope for our nation will be with the non-Hawaiian descendants of citizens of the Kingdom of Hawaii because they are not included in this force-feeding and their claims will remain intact.

I have learned in dealing with the unlawful occupying government that when you cite a specific issue like "lobbying," you give them the opportunity to focus their response on that singular issue. Everything else is not included, i.e., OHA’s propaganda campaign expenditures, etc. Since OHA approved only up to $450,000 for Patton-Boggs lobbying effort, and airfare, hotels, and associated expenses for the Trustees' lobbying trips to Washington, DC, as well as the costs of those Hawaiians they took along for the ride, Mr. Namu’o is probably accurate in his statement regarding the million bucks OHA spent on “lobbying.”

Interestingly, Mr. Namu’o never discounted the statement that lobbying support for the Akaka Bill was illegal other than stating that OHA has an obligation to preserve federal recognition as an option. I believe OHA should be lobbying to preserve our right to independence. This is the only lawful and righteous thing to do on behalf of OHA’s beneficiaries. The latest amendments to the Akaka Bill are a blessing in disguise since many former supporters now oppose the Akaka Bill. These amendments are an excellent excuse for OHA to get out of the sinking Akaka Bill canoe with a little of their dignity intact.

OHA can make amends for their unfortunate decision to dictate our future through the Akaka Bill, and I have a proposition to help them. I propose that OHA appropriate a million bucks of our beneficiary funds to purchase Hawaiian flags and American flags so that every one who wants can join us in waving a Hawaiian flag and burning an American flag on July 4th to support Hawaii's independence can get involved if they can't afford their own flags. The only way the United States will give up the stolen goods (Hawaii) is for us to embarrass them into doing so. This is lobbying for the truth!

Very Sincerely,

Isaac D. Harp
Lahaina, Maui,
Ko Hawaii Pae Aina

THE WORD IS OUT! -

AS MORE AND MORE OPPOSITION TO THE AKAKA BILL GROWS, THE COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT AND OHA ARE STILL PUSHING THIS BILL!

WHAT PART OF "BAD DEAL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS" DON'T THEY UNDERSTAND?

Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Wednesday, May 5, 2004 http://starbulletin.com/2004/05/05/news/story7.html

Hawaiians find fault with revised Akaka bill
By Rosemarie Bernardo

Several organizations have described as "flawed" and "dangerous" the changes made to a bill granting federal recognition to Hawaiians as indigenous people.

Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the Ilioulaokalani Coalition, said: "It is very dangerous to the native Hawaiian community. We stand to lose more than we will gain."

At a news conference at the Iolani Palace yesterday, members of Ilioulaokalani Coalition, Ka Lahui Hawaii and Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui Hawaii and several individual advocates expressed objections over amendments made to the Native
Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, known as the Akaka bill.

Some advocates also said the U.S. Senate did not give Hawaiians the opportunity to review or provide feedback on the changes.

One major change includes a 20-year statute of limitations to file any claims against the United States.

"It's not eliminating future claims or claims down the road. It talks about claims in existence," said Paul Cardus, spokesman for Sen. Daniel Akaka. "Sen. Akaka has made it clear that the legislation does not serve as a settlement
for any claims against the United States."

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee passed the Akaka bill on April 21. It has yet to clear the Senate. A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Neil Abercrombie this week.

Advocate Mililani Trask said Native Americans have the right to make claims to District Court without a 20-year limitation.

"We would not be able to address the illegal overthrow, address the breach of trust issues," Trask said in a telephone interview from New York. "We're looking at a terrible history. ... That history needs to be remedied."

Trustee Rowena Akana of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said: "Some tribes have received federal
recognition 25 years ago and still don't have all their documents for enrollment. To expect native
Hawaiians to get it all together in 20 years is a great discomfort to me."

OHA trustees plan to travel to Washington, D.C., next month to discuss the changes made to the
Akaka bill.

Robin Danner, president and chief executive of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, said, "We have 20 years to file claims, not to settle them.

"Wouldn't it be great to never have a deadline and have all claims open. It's also understandable that a deadline was included," said Danner.

© 2004 Honolulu Star-Bulletin -- http://starbulletin.com

A SPECIAL REPORT FROM KHNL CHANNEL 8 IN HONOLULU -

Sovereignty Activists Criticize Revised Akaka Bill

(Honolulu) -- Hawaiian sovereignty activists are criticizing changes made to the Hawaiian federal recognition bill.

The activists are calling for another hearing in Hawaii before Congress approves the so-called Akaka bill.

Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the 'Ilioulaokalani Coalition, says the revised bill is "very dangerous" to the native Hawaiian community. She says Hawaii will lose more than they will gain.

Some sovereignty advocates say the US Senate did not give Hawaiians the opportunity to review or provide feedback on the changes. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved the bill on April 21st. It has yet to clear the Senate.

A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the US House this week. Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees plan to travel to Washington next month to discuss the changes made to the Akaka bill.

All content © Copyright 2000 - 2004 WorldNow and
KHNL, a Raycom Media station. All Rights Reserved.

COMING THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY - PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR!

AN HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE 2 DAY WORKSHOP COMING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA -

What: Hawaiian Cultural Practices and The Struggle for Independence

A workshop and talk story about the Akaka-Stevens bill, Hawaiian sovereignty, and the Hawaiian cultural renaissance.

Who: Clarence Kukauakahi Ching, kanaka maoli cultural practioner and activist from Hawai'i and David Ingham, writer, researcher and activist.

When: Friday, May 7, 7-9 PM and Saturday, May 8, 10 AM-5 PM

Where: Language Studies International 2015 Center Street, Berkeley

Cost: $75 for both days, $20 for Fri. only, $55 for Sat. only

Advance registration recommended.
Contact: waihili@aol.com

ANOTHER PROMINENT VOICE AGAINST THE CURRENT FEDERAL RECOGNITION BILL !

The Honolulu Advertiser
Sunday, May 2, 2004

Pro, con articles on Akaka bill fail to address land issues

By Haunani-Kay Trask

The April 25 pro and con articles on the pending Akaka bill do not address the deals struck between Gov. Linda Lingle, the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the federal Interior and Justice departments, the Hawai'i congressional delegation and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement relating to the global settlement for Hawaiian lands and revenues. In the interests of clarity, here is what needs to be understood:

* The current Akaka bill is not the product of a democratic process. Only the listed entities above were included in the creation of the latest version of the bill. Sovereignty groups, community organizations and the larger Hawaiian
public were intentionally excluded.

* No hearings have been held on the current bill, precisely to exclude oversight by the native community. New sections were added to the bill that provide that the U.S. courts will have jurisdiction to hear claims against the United
States arising under federal law on the date of enactment of the bill. No historic claims, such as loss of self-government and lands at annexation, will be allowed.

* The bill requires the United States and Hawai'i to obtain a global settlement for Hawaiian lands and revenues before the Hawaiian nation is recognized. In other words, Big Brother will determine our land and resource base and the
structure of our governing entity. This is not self-determination. It is state determination.

* Native Hawaiians must agree to extinguish our rights to lands and sovereign powers over them as a prerequisite to federal recognition. This is outrageous. If we have no land base, no entitlements and no political entity, we won't
need federal recognition.

* In the April 7 version of the bill, certification of organic documents that provide for the creation of the Native Hawaiian governing entity is subject to future negotiations with the federal and state governments as well as congressional legislation and state legislation to implement any agreement. This process forces Hawaiians to agree to the worst settlements in order to meet the 20-year sunset provision. Without a settlement, we lose the right to bring claims against the United States. Such a timetable encourages government negotiators to wait out the 20 years, when all claims expire.

Apart from obvious bad intentions, this deal also violates U.S. law and international law. Hawaiians need to understand the current version of the Akaka bill as a termination, rather than resolution, of the question of native existence
and recognition...

...What is to be done? What Hawaiians need is power - the power to reclaim ceded lands, all entitlements that
accompany them, and substantive recognition as a self-governing nation.

In other words, Hawaiians need sovereignty on our own land base in our own country run by our own elected representatives. We do not need the latest version of a paper nation railroaded by the congressional delegation and their hand-picked Hawaiian collaborators. Hawaiians must oppose the current Akaka bill. If passed, it will be the death knell of any native claim to land and self-government.

Haunani-Kay Trask has been a Hawaiian nationalist for more than 20 years.

© COPYRIGHT 2004 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ISSUES REGARDING HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE?

Here's an easy way to do it - Watch the following programs via live streaming on the internet!

Visit www.olelo.org, then click on channel 53 for live-streaming of Olelo's Native Hawaian issues video series -

Below is the schedule of programs - (Note: All times listed are Hawai'i Standard Time)

Monday, May, 03 -

2:00:00 PM
He Hawaii Au: Mauna Kea The Temple

3:00:00 PM
E Mau Ke Ea: Bioprospecting (special)
Current Native Hawn Issues. Panel Discussion on Ku I Ka Pono - Social Justice March for Native Hawaiians

6:30:00 PM
The Living Nation: Pono Part One


Tuesday, May, 04 -

2:00:00 PM
E Mau Ke Ea: Why Koko Matters

3:00:00 PM
NASA Scoping Hilo

10:00:00 PM
Prayers For Maunakea
Discussion about Mauna Kea and the controversy between community and university/corporate interests.


Wednesday, May, 05 -

6:30:00 PM
The Living Nation: Pono Part One
Hawaiian Issue Discussed

8:00:00 PM
E Mau Ke Ea (2)
Current Native Hawn Issues. Panel Discussion on Ku I Ka Pono - Social Justice March for Native Hawaiians.

8:30:00 PM
E Mau Ke Ea: Kau Hale
Current Native Hawn Issues. Panel Discussion on Ku I Ka Pono - Social Justice March for Native Hawaiians.


Thursday, May, 06 -

1:30:00 PM
E Mau Ke Ea: Bioprospecting (special)
Current Native Hawn Issues. Panel Discussion on Ku I Ka Pono - Social Justice March for Native Hawaiians

8:30:00 PM
Made by Native Hawn: Federal Tribal Recognition
A shows that deals native hawaiian issues, products, music, education and government.

9:00:00 PM
Issues That Matter: Museums and Native People
Anthropological perspectives of indigenous people's issues

10:00:00 PM
NASA Scoping Hilo
NASA Mtg on EIS for KECK Outrigger Telescopes on Mauna Kea

11:00:00 PM
NASA Scoping Hilo
NASA Mtg on EIS for KECK Outrigger Telescopes on Mauna Kea


Friday, May, 07 -

6:30:00 PM
CU-First Friday NATV

7:00:00 PM
First Friday LIVE

9:00:00 PM
AoPohaku Ku Speaks: Ed. Hawaii II, Rich Kenney
Hawaiian-Spiritual, Traditional, Cultural, Govt, Human Rights : Spiritual Nation of Ku


Saturday, May, 08 -

8:30:00 PM
Voices of Truth
Profiles of Hawaiian Independence activists and their contributions

Aloha mai and welcome! -

If you're visiting FreeHawaii.Info for the first time. Free Hawai'i means returning the Hawaiian Islands back to an independent, sovereign nation status, like it was before it was illegally overthrown by US marines and rich sugar barons in 1893.

In 1993, President Clinton formally apologized for that act and publicly acknowledged the illegality of the overthrow.

WHY DO NATIVE HAWAIIANS WANT THEIR NATION AND LAND BACK?

- Because today Native Hawaiians are at a criical juncture to survive as a people.

- Because for foreign business interests it's a matter of profit and loss. For Native Hawaiians it's a matter of life and death.

- Because we seek to protect our natural resources.

- Because while Native Hawaiian families are struggling to survive, their water is being shipped to the other side of the island so that housing and resorts can be built by rich foreigners.

- Because it is our national inheritance - never given away by either native treaty or by native vote.