SB 1085 Testimony 2

March 4, 2009
Chairman Brian Taniguchi
Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations
Thur. Mar. 4, 2009
Conf. Room 211, 9:45 am

Chair Taniguchi, Vice Chair Takamine, and Members, Robert Bunda, Mike Gabbard, Clarence Nishihara, and Sam Slom, of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

My name is [YOUR NAME HERE]. I am a resident of Hawaii and am deeply concerned about the future of the “ceded” lands. The actions of the Governor in appealing this case to the U.S. Supreme Court do not represent my views on this issue. For this reason I am submitting testimony in STRONG SUPPORT of SB 1085.

As the body of officials elected to represent the people of Hawaii, I ask that you please represent our voice and pass this bill out of your committee, unamended. The passage of this bill reasserts the power of the legislature to address, not only the issue of proposed sales of “ceded” lands, but it also reasserts the policy of the State, which has been to commit to reconciliation and self-determination for Native Hawaiian people.

I am deeply troubled by Linda Lingle’s attempt to take this issue beyond our shores and allow nine judges, that have no vested interest in or connection to Hawaii, to dictate the future of our lands and local issues. Her actions threaten the sovereign power of our State government. For that reason, I urge you to exercise your authority as State officials and as the legislative branch of government to harness control over these issues.

I also would like to remind you that Native Hawaiians have a special relationship to the land that differs from the American or Western relationship. This relationship is beyond any description through words. It is a relationship that connects them to their past, present, and their future. The state has long recognized that this relationship exists, and it is important to the future of all of Hawaii’s people that this relationship continue to be recognized. It is in large part because of the mana (spirit/power) and traditions of Hawaii’s first people that we have such a unique and beautiful society here.

Once the land is sold it will never be returned. Please carefully consider our future when reviewing this bill. I ask that you please pass this bill out of your committee. Mahalo for your time.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]