ALERT! - HELP DEFEAT THE AKAKA BILL AND FEDERAL RECOGNITION!

HEARINGS START TOMORROW IN WASHINGTON, DC

SEND YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY TO THE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTE

Via Email - Testimony@indian.senate.gov (preferred)
Via Fax - (202) 224-5429

Here's A Sample Letter To Send -

Dear Representatives of the United States government:

I respectuflly submit the following testimony for your consideration and request that it be read into the record and recorded as part of the testimony regarding S147, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005.

S147 and numerous other facsimiles to recognize Native Hawaiians as "Native Americans" have been placed on US congressional agendas several years in a row now.

The people affected by this bill (Hawai'i Nationals regardless of race) have not been consulted either by the Hawai'i congressioanl delegation, or by anyone else for that matter.

Hawaiians are overwhelmingly opposed to this bill.

I ask that hearings be held in Hawai'i regarding S147 so that you may learn our true feelings about this bill.

Let us discuss U.S. Public Law 103-150 of 1993 and negotiate true reconciliation for the unlawful acts against Hawai'i that were supported by the US.

Federal recognition and any attempt to classify Hawaiians as "Native Americans" is NOT the answer.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number

Coming Tommorrow - More Contact Information Where You May Send This Letter

RUSSIA, COOKING & DANGERS OF FEDERAL RECOGNITION THIS WEEK ON VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI'I'S FUTURE

Here's this week's schedule for Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai'i's Future -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28th -
A completely new segment for our Hawai'i island viewers, "From Hawai'i To Russia and Back - A Visit With Kimo Perry."

Kimo, a young multi-cultural activist and Native Hawaiian Education Island Council facilitator, tells us of his travels to Russia and finds not only a bride, but strong support amongst the Russians for Hawaiian Independence.

Kimo's cultural contributions are truly inspiring - he's a role-model for us all. On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island Monday evening at 7:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd -
We're proud to share this brand new segment for our Maui and Moloka'i viewers, "Cooking Good Fun - A Visit With Elwood Machado."

Elwood is not only a cultural practitioner, but a farmer and Kahuna Mea `ai, or master chef. And as a musician, educator and community service provider extraordinaire, he reveals his secret ingredient - fun!

On Akaku this Wednesday on Channel 53 at 6:30 PM.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3rd -
Also a new segment for our Kaua'i viewers, "Cooking Good Fun - A Visit With Elwood Machado."

Elwood is not only a cultural practitioner, but a farmer and Kahuna Mea `ai, or master chef. And as a musician, educator and community service provider extraordinaire, he reveals his secret ingredient - fun!

On Ho'ike, Channel 52 this Thursday at 8:30 PM.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4th -
A completely new segment for our Hawai'i island viewers, "From Hawai'i To Russia and Back - A Visit With Kimo Perry."

Kimo, a young multi-cultural activist and Native Hawaiian Education Island Council facilitator, tells us of his travels to Russia and finds not only a bride, but strong support amongst the Russians for Hawaiian Independence.

Kimo's cultural contributions are truly inspiring - he's a role-model for us all. On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island this Friday evening at 5:30 PM.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5th -
Because the attempt to pass the Akaka bill is once again on the move, we present "The Truth About Federal Recognition – A Visit With David Ingham – Part One."

This important two part series reveals the dangers of federal recognition by one of the world's foremost authorities on federal recognition and its effects on native peoples.

If you didn't see this one before, please share it with your entire family.

For our viewers on O'ahu on 'Olelo this Saturday at 8 PM.

"Voices of Truth" interviews activists in the Hawaiian Independence movement to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.

Those not in Hawai'i wishing to view the series may do so by visiting www.olelo.org and then clicking "NAT-Channel 53." A screen should then display allowing you to see the show via live streaming. Please refer to the 'Olelo television programming notes above for segment times and titles.

All show times listed above are Hawai'i Standard Time (HST.)

For our international viewers, segments of "Voices of Truth" can now be viewed worldwide 24/7 on the Internet at www.village access.com.

"Travels To Foreign Lands, Who Are The Real Hawaiians?, From Fisherman To Activist" and "Preserving Makahiki - A Time Of Peace" are listed, among others, on the Village Access home page for immediate viewing.

READ WHAT SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HAS TO SAY -

I'm Dora Chang. I just read the thing about the 4th of July by N.S. and the part about the Akaka bill and becoming like Native Americans is disturbing.

I quote you from a Worldwatch Institute, Paper 127:Eco-Justice by Aaron Sachs. "Approximately 65 percent of North America's uranium deposits lie inside Native American reservations.

But these reservations have been home to 80 percent of all uranium mining and 100 percent of the processing, largely because reservations fall outside the jurisdiction of most state and federal environmental laws, and reservation residents have no authority to make their own protection regulations.

With such large reserves of the valuable ore, and given the federal government's historical commitment to nuclear development, many Native American communities should by now have become quite wealthy.

But thanks largely to federal land managers, whose goal was to provide preferred companies with the cheapest possible exploitation rights, Native Americans have tended to receive as little as 3.4 percent of the market value for uranium extracted from their lands.

Native Americans also have the lowest per capita income of any demographic group in America and the highest per capita rate of malnutrition, disease and infant mortality.

The Navaho community in particular has suffered from cancer, respiratory ailments, miscarriages and birth defects caused by radiation.

In almost all cases, the people who worked the mines never received protective clothing or medical checkups or even basic information about the risks of exposure to uranium, and virtually no victims have ever gained any type of compensation.

To this day, many Native American communities have to live with illegally high levels of lead, thorium, radium and other toxins that have seeped into their water and soil from tailings ponds and processing plants.

"This isn't to say that Hawaiian lands might have uranium, but that apparently if the Akaka bill succeeds in giving Native Hawaiians Native American status, than it seems that all control over the land goes directly to the bureaucracy in Washington, "the federal land managers" and none of the federal and state ecology laws would apply and the Native Hawaiians wouldn't be able to institute their own laws.

I find all this very disturbing, and can only hope that the Akaka bill never passes and dies a deserving death.

AN ALASKAN NATIVE WARNS THE NATIVES PEOPLES OF CANADA ABOUT FEDERAL RECOGNITION -

IS THIS THE FUTURE FOR HAWAI'I ?

"There was an aboriginal settlement in Alaska and it was done without consensus.

There's not even 500 signatures on that Alaska native claim settlement act - and what it did was strip us of our land and strip us of our customary and traditional rights to fishing and hunting.

It actually put us into a state of taxation. This is not protection of your land.

I do not want to see the first nation people of Canada walk into the same traps that we walked into in Alaska.

There has got to be a different process going on because you have title, and Canada, like the United States, never perfected title to your lands.

This is something the first nations people have to understand - that if they do not have a perfected title, they cannot have an aboriginal claim on you."

WHAT'S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN OIL DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC AND INDEPENDENCE FOR HAWAI'I ?

Don't miss - The Arctic Refuge; The Last Frontier

In The Hawai'i Island Journal Feb 1-15, 2005 issue

The Akaka Bill for Native Hawaiian sovereignty could reach the Senate floor this year - at the cost of oil drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

Here's The Link To Read This Important Story -
http://hawaiiislandjournal.com/2005/02a05b.html

THE PUSH IS ON TO SELL FEDERAL RECOGNITION TO HAWAIIANS

The Honolulu Advertiser -Tuesday, February 22, 2005
By Dennis Camire and Curtis Lum

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will take testimony March 1 on the proposed measure that could formally recognize Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people...

Under the legislation, the U.S. government would recognize Native Hawaiians in the same way that it recognizes American Indians and Native
Alaskans...

Kekuni Blaisdell, a physician and outspoken critic of the Akaka bill, yesterday criticized the Senate committee for not scheduling a hearing in Hawai'i.
Blaisdell is a proponent of an independent nation.

"They don't want our voices to be heard," Blaisdell said. "They insist that if we want to be heard, we have to go to Washington, we have to get on the docket for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which is playing within their system, which means we accept their sovereignty over us, which of course we cannot accept."

Blaisdell said he opposes the measure because it would create a nation within a nation and not recognize an independent Hawaiian nation.

"This Akaka bill is to make it very clear that we Kanaka Maoli [Native Hawaiians] have agreed and therefore we relinquish and we no longer continue to make claim for our sovereign right and our land," Blaisdell said.

Here's The Link To Read The Entire Story -
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Feb/22/ln/ln13p.html/?print=on

BILLS AIM TO BOOST USE OF HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE

Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Monday, February 21, 2005
By Ron Staton -Associated Press

If all of Hawaii's state and county signs were in Hawaiian and English, Daniel Anthony says he would have the opportunity to use the language he
grew up with and started to speak in high school.

"It would mean a lot to use the language I love every day," said the Honolulu resident, who continues to study the Hawaiian language while working full time. "The challenge is that there is no practical application."

"Hawaii is unique because it has two official languages," said state Sen. J. Kalani English, who speaks Hawaiian and wants the language used more extensively. "A person can go to court and present a document in Hawaiian if he chooses."

The Legislature has in the past even approved resolutions that were written in the Hawaiian language, English noted.

But Anthony said a judge at Waianae District Court once jailed him for four hours before an interpreter was brought in because he refused to speak English.

Here's The Link To Read The Entire Story -
http://starbulletin.com/2005/02/21/news/story3.html

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - THE CASE AGAINST FEDERAL RECOGNITION - AND HOW YOU CAN HELP

KMUD Radio in northern California is hosting a one hour show live this evening, Monday, February 21st, 7 - 8 PM PST, regarding federal recognition and the Akaka bill.

The purpose of the show is to educate northern Californians as to what is at stake regarding this legislation.

Guests on the show will be Koani Foundation directors Kai'opua Fyfe and David Ingham, who will both be speaking against the bill itself and federal recognition in general.

David is currently one of the world's foremost authorities on the dangers of federal recognition as it relates to native peoples.

Regardless of where you live, you will have an opportunity to listen to the show via live streaming and call in to let Californians know that the vast majority of Hawaiians in fact do not support federal recognition.

Here's the link to listen via live streaming online - http://live.str3am.com:2410/listen.pls

And here are the phone numbers to call into the show to show your support -
(800) 568-3723 - Toll free within California only.
(707) 923-3911 - Outside of California - long distance charges will apply.

Here's your chance to voice your opposition to federal recognition!

MASTER CHEF'S RECIPE FOR INDEPENDENCE THIS WEEK ON "VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI'I'S FUTURE"

Here's this week's schedule for Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai'i's Future -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21st -
We're proud to share a brand new segment, "Cooking Good Fun - A Visit With Elwood Machado." Elwood is not only a cultural practitioner, but a farmer and Kahuna Mea `ai, or master chef.

And as a musician, educator and community service provider extraordinaire, he reveals his secret ingredient - fun! On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island Monday evening at 7:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd -
"An Artist-Activist’s Dedication To Hawaiian Independence – A Visit With Meleanna Aluli Meyer." Meleanna shares with us her incredible drive to help Hawai'i's youth-at-risk and her very moving vision for the future of Hawai'i.

Not only an inspiration for women of all ages, but for us all. On Akaku this Wednesday on Channel 53 at 6:30 PM.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24th -
"Kuleana Focus - A Visit With Mikiala Ayau-Pescaia." A brand new segment, we are very honored to present Mikiala to our Kaua'i viewers.

An early achiever, she is an academic culturalist, educator and coordinator for Na Pua No`eau on Moloka'i. This young woman is a real standout.

If you're looking for someone to inspire you, look no further. On Ho'ike, Channel 52 this Thursday at 8:30 PM.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25th -
We're proud to share a brand new segment, "Cooking Good Fun - A Visit With Elwood Machado." Elwood is not only a cultural practitioner, but a farmer and Kahuna Mea `ai, or master chef.

And as a musician, educator and community service provider extraordinaire, he reveals his secret ingredient - fun! On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island this Friday evening at 5:30 PM.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26th -
By popular demand, "Kuleana Focus - A Visit With Mikiala Ayau-Pescaia." A brand new segment, we are very honored to present Mikiala to our O'ahu viewers.

An early achiever, she is an academic culturalist, educator and coordinator for Na Pua No`eau on Moloka'i. This young woman is a real standout.

If haven't seen this one yet and you're looking for someone to inspire you, look no further. On 'Olelo this Saturday at 8 PM.

"Voices of Truth" interviews activists in the Hawaiian Independence movement to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.

Those not in Hawai'i wishing to view the series may do so by visiting www.olelo.org and then clicking "NAT-Channel 53." A screen should then display allowing you to see the show via live streaming. Please refer to the 'Olelo television programming notes above for segment times and titles.

All show times listed above are Hawai'i Standard Time (HST.)

For our international viewers, segments of "Voices of Truth" can now be viewed worldwide 24/7 on the Internet at www.village access.com.

"Travels To Foreign Lands, Who Are The Real Hawaiians?, From Fisherman To Activist" and "Preserving Makahiki - A Time Of Peace" are listed, among others, on the Village Access home page for immediate viewing.

DID YOU KNOW THE EFFECTS OF OVER A CENTURY OF U.S. OCCUPATION ON NATIVE HAWAIIANS ?

The Hawaiian people have suffered since the first Western contact in 1778.

Western diseases, to which Hawaiians had no immunity, decimated their numbers.

At the time of western contact, some 800,000 people inhabited the Hawaiian Islands. By 1805 that number had been halved.

By 1853 there were only 71,000 Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian people in the islands. Within 100 years of western contact, the Hawaiian population had been reduced by nearly 90 percent.

According to the 2000 census, the numbers of people who claim some native Hawaiian ancestry have increased to over 400,000.

But only 239,000 live in Hawaii and they are the poorest, most locked-up population in the state.

Although they only make up about 20 percent of the state's population, in June 2001 they made up 39 percent of the state's prison population, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

They make up 37 percent of the state's homeless population, according to a 2003 survey.

U.S. MILITARY IN HAWAI'I STILL SEEN AS OCCUPYING FORCE

By Tomas Alex Tizon - Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

KANEOHE, Hawai'i - The deaths of 27 Hawai'i-based troops last week in a helicopter crash in Iraq united many Hawaiians in grief.

Almost in unison, U.S. flags throughout the islands were lowered to half-staff, churches held memorial services, politicians and pundits spoke of the
state as a grieving family.

But for William Aila, a native Hawaiian, and untold others here, the tragedy evoked more complicated emotions.

"Sorrow, yes, for the soldiers and their families, and the way it happened," said Aila, referring to Wednesday's helicopter crash near Rutbah, Iraq, which killed 30 Marines and one sailor.

But the shared grief, he said, didn't put to rest a century of conflict and mistrust between the U.S. military and many local residents.

For some, the animosity traces back to 1893, when U.S. Marines helped overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. It has been a tense, fitful coexistence ever since.

Here's The Link To Read The Entire Story...
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-hawaii31jan31,1,2603314.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

HOW DID HAWAIIANS BECOME OUTCASTS IN THEIR OWN LAND ?

HERE'S WHAT THE HISTORY BOOKS WON'T TELL YOU -

Western diseases, to which Hawaiians had no immunity, decimated their numbers.

At the time of western contact, some 300,000 people inhabited the Hawaiian Islands.

By 1805 that number had been halved.

By 1853 there were only 71,000 Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian people in the islands. Within 100 years of western contact, the Hawaiian population had been reduced by nearly 90 percent.

According to the 2000 census, the numbers of people who claim some native Hawaiian ancestry have increased to over 400,000. But only 239,000 live in Hawai'i and they are the poorest, most locked-up population in the state.

Although they only make up about 20 percent of the state's population, in June 2001 they made up 39 percent of the state's prison population, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

Sadly, they make up 37 percent of the state's homeless population, according to a 2003 survey by SMS Research and Marketing.

HAWAIIANS GAIN CULTURAL OBSERVANCE RIGHTS IN PRISON

Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Monday, February 14, 2005
Makahiki observance in prisons spreads to Oahu - By Mary Vorsino

Six years ago, Kalehai Kamauu started on a quest to bring the makahiki celebration behind bars.

At the time, he was in a prison in Minnesota. Over the years he has been sent to correctional facilities in Arizona, Oklahoma and then finally back to the islands.

But he has always kept up his insistence -- and has gotten support from other native Hawaiian prisoners -- that authorities grant formal recognition and allow practice of the ancient Hawaiian ceremony.

Last night, Kamauu was able to see his dream fulfilled in his home state. He and six other Oahu Community Correctional Center inmates gathered for the first-ever
makahiki season celebration at the facility.

Here's The Link To The Entire Story -
http://starbulletin.com/2005/02/14/news/story3.html

HAWAI'I - THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WANT THE ILLEGAL U.S. OCCUPATION OF HAWAI'I TO END?

Native Hawaiians constitute roughly 20 per cent of the state population, but they represent 54 per cent of the prison population.

Not coincidentally, they also have the lowest per capita income, the highest poverty rate and the shortest lifespan of any ethnic group in Hawai'i.

Hawai'i public school students receive a very poor education by any standard of measurement. They consistently rank among the lowest of any state in test scores....

In the 1980s, Hawai'i gained the enviable reputation of providing medical insurance to the highest percentage of residents of any state. A decade after the state ended dental cover, toothless smiles are commonplace among the poor. Tens of thousands of residents have no medical insurance at all.

Despite higher profits for many businesses, jobs are scarce and most of the available work pays minimum wage or close to it... In some cases, the lives of the working poor are worse than the unemployed....

On Kaua'i workers often share apartments or small houses with several other workers because rents are too expensive for one or two individuals to afford. On every island married couples with children often work two jobs each to make ends meet - if they are fortunate enough to find that many jobs, even at minimum wage.

Aside from housing, transportation and food expenses contribute heavily to Hawai'i's staggering cost of living. The prices of gasoline, mandatory auto insurance, used cars and repair work are considerably higher than the mainland. And only the city of Honolulu has reliable public transportation.

On the other islands owning a car is a necessity to be able to work or look for jobs. Hawai'i imports two-thirds of its food from the mainland and locally-grown food is expensive due to high land prices....

In the past, Hawai'i was known for its aloha spirit and laid-back lifestyle... Now aloha is difficult to find as various ethnic groups vie with each other for the last crumbs of the once-large economic pie.

And the pace of life has become frenetic in too many ways.As one long-time resident commented: "Hawai'i is turning into one of those Caribbean tourist islands where you have fancy hotels and a tiny rich neighbourhood and the rest of the island is a shantytown of poverty and crime."

IS HAWAI'I BETTER OFF WITH OR WITHOUT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ?

Hawai'i - The Dark Side Of Paradise - By William Starr Moake

After three decades of economic growth and prosperity, Hawai'i took a downturn 15 years ago and the Aloha state has never fully recovered.

In most respects things are getting worse every year. The effects have been devastating to those living on the margins of island society, particularly native Hawaiians. Other ethnic minorities have also been forced to bear the burden.

At the same time, however, many hotels and other big businesses in Hawai'i are reaping record-level profits today.The statistics tell a story the Hawai'i Visitors Bureau would rather not see in print: In a state that has the most expensive cost of living in the US, one-in-10 residents lives under the federal poverty level.

A conservative estimate is that 30,000 people are homeless, but the actual number is likely to be far higher.

Hawai'i has one of the worst hard drug problems of any state. The state and federal government spent hundreds of millions of dollars on three decades of helicopter raids on rural marijuana growers and doled out prison sentences equal to murder convictions in some cases.

Marijuana is now scarce and prohibitively expensive. The drug of choice is the much-cheaper crystal methamphetamine, a highly-addictive stimulant that causes violent behavior.

The meth epidemic and widespread poverty has resulted in a state prison system that is bursting at the seams, corrupt and inhumane.

Unable to afford the cost of building new prisons, Hawai'i at first assigned three or four prisoners to cells built for two with the extra inmates sleeping on floors besides the toilet. Later the state shipped several hundred inmates to mainland prisons where incarceration expenses were cheaper.

The Conclusion Tomorrow...

HAWAIIAN WOMEN OF INSPIRATION ON VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI'I'S FUTURE

Our spotlight this week is on Wahine Hawai'i who have inspired us.

Here's this week's schedule for Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai'i's Future -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14th -
"Surviving And Thriving - A Visit With Sheryl Iona." Hawai'i island resident Sheryl Iona is a role model for all wahine who are single moms bringing in a paycheck, running her own successful business and a household, raising two children and actually making it !

For any parent living in Hawai'i who feels the day to day pressure of trying to keep it all together, Sheryl shows us how with grace and courage to match. On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island Monday evening at 7:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th -
A brand new segment for our viewers on Maui and Moloka'i, "Surviving And Thriving - A Visit With Sheryl Iona." See how Hawai'i island resident Sheryl Iona is a role model for all wahine who are single moms bringing in a paycheck, running her own successful business and a household, raising two children and actually making it !

For any parent living in Hawai'i who feels the day to day pressure of trying to keep it all together, Sheryl shows us how with grace and courage to match. On Akaku this Wednesday on Channel 53 at 6:30 PM.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17th -
Also a new segment for our Kaua'i viewers. "Surviving And Thriving - A Visit With Sheryl Iona." Hawai'i island resident Sheryl Iona is a role model for all wahine who are single moms bringing in a paycheck, running her own successful business and a household, raising two children and actually making it !

For any parent living in Hawai'i who feels the day to day pressure of trying to keep it all together, Sheryl shows us how with grace and courage to match. On Ho'ike, Channel 52 this Thursday at 8:30 PM.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18th -
"Surviving And Thriving - A Visit With Sheryl Iona." Hawai'i island resident Sheryl Iona is a role model for all wahine who are single moms bringing in a paycheck, running her own successful business and a household, raising two children and actually making it !

For any parent living in Hawai'i who feels the day to day pressure of trying to keep it all together, Sheryl shows us how with grace and courage to match. On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island this Friday evening at 5:30 PM.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19th -
"Kuleana Focus - A Visit With Mikiala Ayau-Pescaia." A brand new segment, we are very honored to present Mikiala to our viewers. An early achiever, she is an academic culturalist, educator and coordinator for Na Pua No'eau on Moloka'i. This young woman is a real standout. If you're looking for someone to inspire you, look no further. For our O'ahu viewers on 'Olelo this Saturday at 8 PM.

"Voices of Truth" interviews activists in the Hawaiian Independence movement to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.

Those not in Hawai'i wishing to view the series may do so by visiting www.olelo.org and then clicking "NAT-Channel 53." A screen should then display allowing you to see the show via live streaming. Please refer to the 'Olelo television programming notes above for segment times and titles.

All show times listed above are Hawai'i Standard Time (HST.)

For our international viewers, segments of "Voices of Truth" can now be viewed worldwide 24/7 on the Internet at www.village access.com.

"Travels To Foreign Lands, Who Are The Real Hawaiians?, From Fisherman To Activist" and "Preserving Makahiki - A Time Of Peace" are listed, among others, on the Village Access home page for immediate viewing.

ECONOMY DRIVING AWAY HAWAIIANS AND THEIR ALOHA

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.

Greed, selfishness, nepotism and a lust for control are not your friends.

ALOHA MAI AND WELCOME ! - IF YOU'RE VISITING FREEHAWAII.INFO FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Free Hawai'i means returning the Hawaiian Islands 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 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.

THE BENEFITS OF FEDERAL RECOGNITION - PART TWO

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS NORTON TO APPEAR

WASHINGTON - (AP) A federal judge has given Interior Secretary Gale Norton an ultimatum - Either appear in his court or face the prospect that he will rule against her on accusations that she retaliated against American Indians suing her agency for lost royalties.

The U. S. government has yet to account for mismanaged oil, gas, timber and grazing royalties from Indian-owned land.

WHY ON EARTH WOULD HAWAIIANS WANT TO GET INTO THIS MESS CALLED FEDERAL RECOGNITION ?

GET READY! HERE'S WHAT'S IN STORE FOR HAWAIIANS UNDER FEDERAL RECOGNITION!

U.S. SECRETARY OF INTERIOR GALE NORTON INVITED TO TESTIFY IN FEDERAL COURT TO PROVE SHE DIDN’T RETAILIATE BY WITHHOLDING INDIAN CHECKS

The judge in the landmark Cobell v. Norton Indian Trust case has issued an order inviting U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton to testify in court proceedings to prove she did not retaliate against American Indians by stopping the disbursement of Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust checks in October, 2004.

IIM beneficiaries, many of whom are among our nation’s poorest citizens and rely on Indian Trust payments for most or all of their income, were the victims of the government’s retaliatory actions. In his February 7th order, Lamberth found such action deplorable.

"These Indians are the poorest minority group in the country," Lamberth wrote in his February 7th memorandum and order. "The idea that Interior would either instruct or allow BIA to withhold trust payments, and then to stonewall the Indians who dared to ask why, is an obscenity that harkens back to the darkest days of United States-Indian relations."

A full copy of the Judge’s February 7th Memorandum and Order is available at www.indiantrust.com

IS THIS THE FUTURE OF HAWAIIAN NATIONALS CLAIMS AGAINST THE US GOVERNMENT IF FEDERAL RECOGNITION FOR HAWAIIANS PASSES IN THE US CONGRESS ?

Title 43 Chapter 33 USC:

"All aboriginal titles, if any, and claims of aboriginal title in Alaska based on use and occupancy, including submerged land underneath all water areas, both inland and offshore, and including any aboriginal hunting or fishing rights that may exist, are hereby extinguished."

"All claims against the United States, the State, and all other persons that are based on claims of aboriginal right, title, use, or occupancy of land or water areas in Alaska, or that are based on any statute or treaty of the United States relating to Native use and occupancy, or that are based on the laws of any other nation, including any such claims that are pending before any Federal or state court or the Indian Claims Commission, are hereby extinguished."

And these Claims in 1978 -

(3) by virtue of the approval of such transfers of land or natural resources effected by this subsection or an extinguishment of aboriginal title effected thereby, all claims against the United States, any State or subdivision thereof, or any other person or entity, by any such Indian, Indian nation, or tribe of Indians, arising subsequent to the transfer and based upon any interest in or rights involving such land or natural resources (including but not limited to claims for trespass damages or claims for use and occupancy), shall be regarded as extinguished as of the date of the transfer.

The Above extracted from Title 25 United States Code chapter 19 Subchapter I Part I.

THE SO-CALLED NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2005, - S.147, IS JUST AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS VERSION OF FEDERAL RECOGNITION FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS THAT WOULD COMPLETE THE BLATANT THEFT OF THE HAWAIIAN NATION, NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAND, RIGHTS AND SOVEREIGNTY FOREVER.

DO YOU THINK THE LIVES OF HAWAIIANS WOULD IMPROVE UNDER THE "SPECIAL TRUST RELATIONSHIP" THAT FEDERAL RECOGNITION WOULD BRING ?

Just look at these comments from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee March 11, 2003 letter to the Budget Committee justifying their budget request for fiscal year 2004.

"Native people in the U.S. continue to rank at or near the bottom of nearly every social, health, and economic indicator, as compared to all other citizens.

"Natives continue to suffer the highest rates of unemployment and poverty, live in substandard housing, have poor health, receive an inadequate education, and contend with disintegrating social systems, all of which erode both the quality and dignity of life in Native communities.

"Improving effectiveness in the Indian agencies is important but also recognizes that these agencies have witnessed a pattern of under-funding for decades and that, in part at least, increased resources are needed to alleviate the dire conditions in Native America and address the basic human needs Native people.

"The educational attainment for Native youth is deficient compared with other groups in the U.S. For example, Native youth receive fewer high school and college degrees.

An aggravating factor in educational achievement is the continued inability of the Federal government to ensure adequate, safe and clean educational facilities conducive to learning.

There is also unmet demand for electricity in Native communities: a recent Department of Energy report estimated that 14.2% of all Native homes on reservations have no access to electricity compared to just 1.4% of all U.S. households.

"With unemployment averaging 43% and poverty rampant, Native communities are particularly sensitive to high energy prices.Given the near-complete absence of a private sector in most Native communities, 31.2 % of Natives live in poverty.

"In the U.S. today, the unemployment rate is 5.8%, whereas the rate for Natives is near 50% --- twice that of the national unemployment rate in the Great Depression.

"The earning capacity of Natives also lags behind that of other Americans: for every $100 earned by the average American family, an Indian family earns $62. The per capita income for Indians averages $8,284.

"Most striking are the health statistics involving Native people: diabetes, tuberculosis, alcoholism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and increasingly, AIDS, plague Native communities at rates far and above the incidence for other Americans.

"Many reservations lack basic infrastructure, with tribal governments being obliged to make large investments in water lines, sewage and sanitation facilities, and paved roads. responsibility and authority to provide safe and adequate water supply systems and sanitary sewage waste disposal systems in Indian homes."

HAWAIIAN ARTISTS & SINGLE MOM SHOW HOW TO SURVIVE & THRIVE THIS WEEK ON VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI'I'S FUTURE

Mahalo to our all our viewers for your continued words of support for Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai'i's Future.

Here's this week's schedule -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7th -
" An Artist-Activist’s Dedication to Hawaiian Independence - A Visit With Meleanna Aluli Meyer." Meleanna redefines the term "human dynamo." Artist, activist, teacher, worker with youth-at-risk, Meleanna sets the record for both what she's dedicated to as well as achieving, sometimes in a single day! On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island Monday evening at 7:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th -
By request, we repeat "Malo on Mauna Kea - A Visit With Keoni Choi." An activist, cultural practitioner and Na Koa from Hawai'i island, Keoni's message is one of pure inspiration and a testament to the difference a single person can make. If you didn't catch it last week, here's your chance. On Akaku, for our viewers on Maui and Moloka'i this Wednesday on Channel 53 at 6:30 PM.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10th -
Showing also this week on Kaua'i, "An Artist-Activist’s Dedication to Hawaiian Independence - A Visit With Meleanna Aluli Meyer." One of our most popular segments, Meleanna redefines the term "human dynamo."

Artist, activist, teacher, worker with youth-at-risk, Meleanna sets the record for both what she's dedicated to as well as achieving, sometimes in a single day! On Ho'ike, Channel 52 this Thursday at 8:30 PM.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11th -
" Surviving And Thriving - A Visit With Sheryl Iona." Hawai'i island resident Sheryl Iona is a role model for all wahine who are single moms bringing in a paycheck, running her own successful business and a household, raising two children and actually making it !

For any parent living in Hawai'i who feels the day to day pressure of trying to keep it all together, Sheryl shows us how with grace and courage to match. On Na Leo Television, channel 54, on both sides of Hawai'i island this Friday evening at 5:30 PM.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12th -
"Finally Doing His Thing - A Visit With Kealoha Pa." A former milkman, cop, and travel industry expert, Kealoha Pa finds his true calling at long last as a contemporary artist creating stunningly beautiful batik works of art.

Don't miss this gentle soul who shares his creations of wonder with us right in his studio. For our O'ahu viewers, on 'Olelo this Saturday at 8 PM.

"Voices of Truth" interviews activists in the Hawaiian Independence movement to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.

Those not in Hawai'i wishing to view the series may do so by visiting www.olelo.org and then clicking "NAT-Channel 53." A screen should then display allowing you to see the show via live streaming. Please refer to the 'Olelo television programming notes above for segment times and titles.

All show times listed above are Hawai'i Standard Time (HST.)

For our international viewers, segments of "Voices of Truth" can now be viewed worldwide 24/7 on the Internet at www.village access.com.

"Travels To Foreign Lands, Who Are The Real Hawaiians?, From Fisherman To Activist" and "Preserving Makahiki - A Time Of Peace" are listed, among others, on the Village Access home page for immediate viewing.

HERE'S HOW THE US GOVERNMENT, WITH THE HELP OF OHA AND THE CNHA , ARE PLANNING TO STEAL THE HAWAIIAN NATION - ONCE AND FOR ALL!

By their own laws, the US cannot simply walk in and take Hawaiian land titles and erase the word "Royal" and replace it with "United States" Patent.

They and the State of Hawai'i have never had "Clear Title" since Jan 17, 1893. They all know this...have known for a long time.

The only way the United States will ever be able to get clear title to the Hawaiian Islands is if Hawaiians give it to them.

This is why title to the Hawaiian islands never transferred to the United States by the Newlands resolution. The Newlands resolution relied on the treaty of Annexation from the republic of Hawai'i.

But the Republic never owned title because the Kingdom of Hawai'i never gave it to them.But now they gotta plan.....they are going to get Hawaiians to give title to them.

How are they going to do that? Here’s how -

They are already trying to register a majority of Hawaiians on a "Kau Inoa' roll.

Then they are going to draft governing documents to "re-organize the Hawaiian government".

They are going to get Hawaiians to elect officers to that government.

Next, they are going to make sure those governing documents give the officers of the government the authority to give away title in negotiations.

They are going to get the majority of Hawaiians on the roll to vote for the new governing documents to reorganize the Hawaiian government.

Then that government authorized and approved by the majority of Hawaiians is going to sit down at the negotiating table with the United States and trade land title for cash and benefits.

Many people believe that only the Kingdom of Hawaii is authorized to give a way title to the Hawaiian Islands.... and they are correct, but only as long as the kingdom remains intact.

If the majority of its subjects revolt by forming a new government, the kingdom no longer exists. This is the effect of popular revolution.

The bill is only the bait....... the hook is the formation of a new government and the negotiations between the U.S. and the new government.

As long as Hawaiians don't bite the bait...the hook is harmless....The bill is not intended to settle any claims.... The bill dos not tell Hawaiians, but asks them to form a government that can and will extinguish Hawaiians claims.

WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

The Akaka bill (S.147) and Department of Interior are not the answers, so what are?

Can the United States really help us create a bright future for the Hawaiian Nation? What solutions will benefit all residents of Hawai’i?

Hawaiians want and deserve freedom just as much as US citizens do. They want freedom restored to Hawai’i.

Some people say, “the illegal act of war that overthrew your Queen can’t be erased . . . like it or not, you’re all Americans now.” But, every day we see people around the world fighting for, and winning back their native and national rights. Their quest, and ours are totally legitimate and very real.

Like everyone else, Hawaiians want four basic things –

FREEDOM –
The freedom to decide their own future for themselves. That “freedom” was taken away when the sovereign Nation of Hawai’i was overthrown in 1893. It was taken away again by illegal annexation to the United States in 1898. And, it was taken away a third time by the so-called statehood vote in 1959. According to international law, a new vote must to be taken that offers three options – 1) Independence, or 2) Free-Association or 3) Integration (nation within a nation.)

RIGHTS –
The rights of the independent Nation of Hawai’i were never relinquished. The destruction and denial of these rights must cease. Everyone who descends from citizens of the Hawaiian Nation prior to 1893, Native Hawaiians and all others, are entitled to these rights.

IDENTITY –
The political identity of Hawaiians must be acknowledged by the United States. Hawaiians will decide their own future, without interference by the US. Also, only those with any measure of indigenous blood may define Native Hawaiians. A blood quantum imposed by others is an unacceptable means to divide and conquer.

LAND BASE -
Hawaiians love their country and lands just as much as US citizens love the US. Therefore, it is only fair and just to take into consideration the ramifications of the overthrow of a people who have never relinquished their rights or abandoned their desire to control their land and resources through their own representative government. Hawaiians want ALL their land back, not just some of it.

One of the biggest lies perpetuated today is that when Hawaiians achieve nationhood again it will be at the expense of everyone else.

But no one will be kicked out; their businesses seized or their homes and property confiscated. Instead, everyone, Hawaiians and all others, will be citizens of the sovereign and independent Nation of Hawai’i. The Hawaiian Nation included people of many ethnic backgrounds that were loyal citizens before the illegal overthrow and it will be so again.The truth is a sovereign Hawaiian nation will need the contributions and talents of all of its citizens to remain viable in the world. Hawaiians would be no better than the very supremacists that overthrew and occupied them were they to divide people by race. Hawaiians have always been inclusive, not exclusive.

How would this be accomplished politically given a civil war resulted the last time a state tried to leave the US? Unlike the southern US states, the Kingdom of Hawai’i and its citizens never agreed to become part of the United States in the first place.

Therefore a move for Hawai’i to secede from the US would be both unnecessary and inappropriate.Much like removing the top coat of paint to reveal the one underneath, the US Congress, after consultation between Hawaiians and the US at the level of state to state, could simply enact a US federal law that dissolves the entity known as the “state government” in Hawai’i.

What would be left in its place is what has existed all along anyway without interruption – the Nation of Hawai’i.Only at that point, would it be appropriate for the citizens of Hawai’i to decide their future as it relates to a relationship with the United States.

Those possibilities would include –

Integration with the US –
Becoming a state again or a tribe of the US under federal recognition.

Free Association -
Much like Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Independence -
Did you know that when Ronald Reagan was president, one of the most conservative US presidents in recent times, his administration actually granted the Marshall Islands independence in 1986, which then lead to a free association relationship with the US?

Precedent for Hawaiian independence exists right now within US law as outlined above.

There are no laws that exist today within the US to prevent the US federal government from dissolving a state government. It is only fear and ignorance that holds the status quo in place.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE ON THE WAITING LISTS FOR DEPT. OF HAWAIIAN HOMES LAND LEASES IF HAWAIIANS BECOME FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED?
THEY KEEP WAITING... THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

"30,000 people are on the waiting list housing in tribal areas" - Chester Carl, National American Indian Housing Council Chairman and Executive

Meanwhile, reservation residents , face years on waiting lists. About 100,000 Indian families nationwide live in shabby, often overcrowded quarters, some without plumbing or electricity. There are many who have become discouraged after being on the list for years who have not renewed their applications.

"In southwestern Utah there is a desperate need for new homes to accommodate a very long waiting list of Native American families I have a waiting list with 1,000 people on it,” Victor Velasquez (White Mountain Apache Housing Authority) says. “It doesn’t take a math genius to figure out that if you just depend on NAHASDA money you're never going to get your people housed."

These are not isolated examples, they are the norm....federal wardship is not the cure for long waiting lists as some might like people to believe.

ALOHA!
FIRST VISIT TO FREEHAWAII.INFO ?

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

In 1893, the independent 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!

WHO ARE THEY TRYING TO FOOL ?

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs claims if the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005, (Akaka Bill) isn’t passed, alleged subsequent loss of federal funding could have a dramatic effect upon not only Native Hawaiians, but also Hawaii's economy.

Let's take a look at actual federal appropriations in fiscal 2002 to cover all 250,000 people who call themselves Native Hawaiian -

Education: $30.5 million / 250,000 Hawaiians = $122.00 per Hawaiian. How much education can you buy this year with $122.00? If teachers are making say 30,000/year you could hire 1016 teachers. That means there would only have to be 246 Hawaiians per classroom.

Affordable housing: $9.6 million/250,000 Hawaiians = $38.40 per Hawaiian. How much of your yearly rental costs does $38.40 cover?

Health care: $7 million /250,000 Hawaiians = $28.00 per Hawaiian. How much dental and medical insurance can you buy with $28.00? Maybe get only half your teeth cleaned this year and hope you don’t get sick?

Strengthening community colleges (academics): $3.25 million /250,000Hawaiians = $13.00 per Hawaiian. How many units of academic instruction does $13.00 cover at a community college these days?

Vocational education: $2.9 million/250,000 Hawaiians = $11.60 per Hawaiian. What can you learn how to do for $11.60?

Community development: $2 million/250,000 Hawaiians = $8.00 per Hawaiian. How much Community infrastructure does $8.00 buy?

Strengthening community colleges (agriculture): $1.5 million /250,000 Hawaiians = $6.00 per Hawaiian. What does $6.00 buy in the way of agricultural education at community college these days?

Housing loan guarantees: $1 million /250,000 Hawaiians = $4.00 per Hawaiian. How much of your annual mortgage does $4.00 cover?

Culture and arts: $740,000/250,000 Hawaiians = $2.96 per Hawaiian. For $2.96, about all the culture you can afford is a plastic kukui nut lei.

Looks like about $233.96 per Hawaiian total ...less administrative costs of course.