R. Kūnani Nihipali

Molokaʻi Candidate

• Age | 74
• Occupation | Retired Honolulu Police Department
• Where did you grow up | Honolulu, Oʻahu
• Schooling | DOE Public Schools: Kaʻuluwela, Pālolo, Kaʻiulani Elementaries – K-6; Kamehameha 7-12
• Current residence | Hoʻolehua, Molokaʻi
• Website | nihipali.org

1. In 1898, Queen Liliʻuokalani wrote in her book, Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawai’i Queen: “the people of the Islands have no voice in determining their future, but are virtually relegated to the condition of aborigines of the American continent.” In the 1990s, Federal Recognition was disguised as the Akaka Bill. It was debated and debunked. OHA spent millions of dollars on its defunct Kau Inoa and Kanaiolowalu programs. OHA promised nationhood in 2006, but reneged and in 2023, former OHA Trustee Apo wrote: “OHA abandons commitment to Self-Governance, OHA is defaulting on one of its primary reasons it was created in the first place.” OHA still has NO Nation Building initiatives of Self-Determination or Self-Governance. These fundamental rights acknowledge the inherent economic and political sovereignty of a nation to have autonomy to govern its own affairs; preserve and perpetuate its cultural heritage; make decisions that best serve its community and ensures a rightful place in shaping the future of our homeland. The DOI/DOJ reports of 2000 & 2002: Findings and Recommendations have guidelines. HRS 10 & 10H ignores the continuing wrong by failing to recognize the government of the people of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Until Reconciliation is defined and implemented, I don’t support, nor appreciate OHA’s role in regurgitating this hewa, the continuation of U.S. and state governments to terminate our Native Hawaiian interests and entitlements to our ʻāina and revenues. Reconciliation education will provide opportunities to achieve peace and foster coexistence between opposing communities. OHA foundations and directions can be addressed through the Apology and our Kuleana Waiwai Like (KWWL) Project. Political obstacles to reconciliation can seem overwhelming, but with positive changes in attitudes, spirit, and relationships, it is attainable.
2. Kāne i ka wai ola – the water of life, is free. It’s the delivery system that has been commodified. According to State Constitution, Hawaiians have first priority to water, but like all our natural resources, we beneficiaries have no say nor control. This needs to huliau, change. What is needed is independent legal counsel funding and seats at the tables of the Molokaʻi Irrigation System and State Water Commission. The excavation of 1,000 nā iwi kūpuna from their wahi pana at Honokahua, Maui, for the Ritz Carlton Hotel in 1988 was a major turning point halting such desecrations. As poʻo of Hui Mālama i Nā Iwi Kūpuna o Hawaiʻi Nei (HMINK) then, HMINK and OHA were the only two entities recognized by NAGPRA, and we chartered state burial laws. We repatriated over 5,000 iwi kūpuna and moepu locally and nationally from all federally funded institutions and museums throughout continental America, and internationally from Australia, Tahiti, Guam, Scotland, England and Germany. This is the highest form of sovereignty that Kānaka can live as it strengthens our ancestral foundation that continues the interdependency between our past, present and future. It strengthens the depth of our Hawaiian Nation familial foundation and survival, despite the alleged overthrow of our Nation Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. In repatriation, pule and protocols linked us ancestrally, with our life cycles, as their spiritual presence protected, inspired and guided us in our work. Ola nā iwi!
3. Economic independence is an essential element of political sovereignty based on the same foundation and legacy we received from our ancestors. Our native trusts are valued over $20 billion. Financial and economic freedom are central to the viability and wellbeing of our people and ensures access and control of our trust investments, be it fiscal, land, and/or natural resources. We proposed our KWWL project to OHA 20+ years ago to utilize a strategic and cultural path of goals, objectives, values and beliefs between partners/stakeholders and the Kānaka Maoli Hawaii. KWWL is a realignment plan intended to assist in leading us from economic dependence to economic independence. It will give us a sense of self-reliance to obtain our full human potential to manage our Native Hawaiian trust assets in a manner that empowers us beneficiaries and provides competitive returns that communicate Hawaiian values. My experiences with Native Hawaiian educational community organizations: Pua Foundation, Hui Naʻauao, HMINK, Puʻuhonua o Waimānalo; committees and boards: Native Hawaiian Advisory Council, KWWL, Native American Rights Fund: Investment and Audit; elected officials, agencies, institutions and unions can help to enrich and build community economic capacity as prudent and socially responsible investors. KWWL also includes a community outreach plan for CDFI development strategic investment planning workshops, leading to a community empowerment bank and restore our status as stewards of our future.
4. Combined into answer above.
5. OHA is accountable to all the people of Hawaiʻi and needs to be held to the same ethical standards as any other state agency, with transparency and accessibility. It should adopt best practices in public communication, ensure regular and open meetings, provide clear, easily accessible information on its activities and finances, to maintain the trust and confidence of the people it represents. That will foster greater trust and engagement with the Native Hawaiian and broader public community.
6. OHA needs to huliau, change to find solutions and support reconciliation as the umbrella and basis for our political, economic, social and cultural challenges we face today and into the future. If you discovered something in your past that you didn’t know about, would you close your eyes and cover your ears as if it never happened, or would you accept the information as part of your life history? What happens when we know the truth and do nothing about it? It keeps perpetuating because people and the political powers in place allow it. No lie can live forever. We must speak truth to power. E huliau kākou a pau!

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