KA LĀHUI HAWAI‘I (KLH)
Leadership:
Elected Kia Aina:
What is the authority for KLH’s proposed model of governance and why?
International Human Rights Law, the Right of all peoples to Self-Determination, and ten years of legal and historical research, and many community meetings, were conducted and resulted in the 1st constitutional convention. Amendments were made to the constitution at the second (1989) and third (1992) constitutional conventions.[1]
When was KLH founded or began to organize?
KLH was created in 1987 by 250 Hawaiian delegates who attended KLH’s first constitutional convention held in Hilo.
What initiated the founding/organizing of KLH?
Constitutional Conventions were preceded by Native Hawaiian Land Trust Task Force & Ho Ala Kanawai Inc. (HB 1469) & educational workshops.
What is the goal of KLH?
KLH is a native initiative for self-governance under international law and its goals are set forth in the constitution & also are expanded by the policies set by the Standing Committees (Health, Education, etc.)
What process is KLH utilizing to achieve their goal?
KLH leadership is based on a democratic & elective process for the Executive & Mokuna. The Alii is not elected but is identified in the Constitution. The Kupuna Council is designated by each island.
What path of governance does KLH propose?
This is determined by the policies & actions taken by the Mokuna.
What will KLH’s proposed form of government look like?
KLH in its work to date has chosen to develop a culturally appropriate “separate system of self-government,” which incorporates Hawaiian values and traditions and which sets forth the “cultural jurisdiction” of the Hawaiian Nation as provided by Part II of Resolution 742.[2]
KLH’s Constitution identifies 4 branches of government: (1) the Legislative Branch, which has the authority to make laws; (2) the Executive Branch, which has the responsibility to implement the laws; (3) the Judicial Branch, which interprets the law; and (4) the Aliʻi Nui Branch, which is responsible for matters relating to culture and protocol.[3]
What will be the criteria for citizenry under KLH?
KLH’s Constitution states that people with any quantum of Hawaiian blood may enroll as citizens of Ka Lāhui.[4] Ka Lāhui also extends “Honorary Citizenship” to individuals who are not of Hawaiian ancestry.[5] Honorary Citizens are not entitled to the rights and privileges afforded to full citizens.[6] Residency is required.
What are KLH’s voting criteria?
Any Hawaiian who is and has been a citizen of Ka Lahui Hawiaʻi for a period of one (1) year, who has resided in his elective Mokupuni (Island), and who is the age of eighteen (18) years or older, shall have the right to vote.” Residency is required.[7]
What are the criteria to run for office?
All voting citizens shall elect a Kiaʻāina (governor, prime minister), Lukānela Kiaʻāina (lt. gov.) Kākau ʻŌlelo, and Puʻukū Lāhui (national treasurer) of the Mokuna Hoʻokō (executive branch).[8] The term of office for the Kiaʻāina shall be four (4) years, but shall not exceed two (2) consecutive terms. He shall have been a Hawaiʻi resident for not less than three (3) years, a citizen of Ka Lahui Hawaiʻi, of Hawaiian ancestry, and shall not be less than thirty (30) years of age on the date of his election.[9] The term of office for the Kiaʻāina shall be four (4) years, but not to exceed two (2) consecutive terms. He shall have been a Hawaiʻi resident for not less than three (3) years, a citizen of KLH, of Hawaiian ancestry, and shall not be less than thirty (30) years of age on the date of his election.[10]
What would the education system look like under your model of governance?
Ka Lāhui’s Master Plan anticipates that Aliʻi Trusts for Education & Health (KSBE-Queens) should eventually become the Health & Educational Systems of the Hawaiian Nation & peoples. This could easily be accomplished by exchange deeds between the Nation & Trusts resulting in Queens Health system & KSBE ands & assets becoming trust lands of the Nation. This would not only insulate the KSBE & Queens trust from litigation re: “Hawaiian race based entitlements” but would also have tax advantages for both Trusts.[11]
What would the health system look like under KLH?
“There shall be a District Council created in each district of KLH. The elected Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and District Chairpersons of the Standing Committees shall comprise a District Council,” of which there will be at least two standing committees in his district, one on Health and a second on Land and Natural Resources.[12] A committee shall consist of not less than three (3) members who shall consider, investigate, and take action on certain matters or subjects in regard to the aforesaid District Council Standing Committees.[13]
How will economic self-sufficiency be achieved under KLH?
International human rights law & KLH national policy will govern here. For minimal standards see the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples & Right of Indigenous peoples to Economic Development.[14]
What would be the land base under KLH?
Ka Lahui is interested in governing the lands and assets which were set aside for Native Hawaiians and Hawaiians. These lands and assets include vast private land trusts intended to benefit Hawaiian people, and two land trusts which were set aside for Native Hawaiians by Acts of the U.S. Congress. The two land trusts that Congress set aside for the “rehabilitation” and “betterment” of Native Hawaiian conditions include:
The 5(f) Ceded Lands Trust, which is comprised of 1.4 million acres of Hawaiian government and Crown lands which were “ceded” (yielded, transferred) to the U.S. and set aside by Congress in Section 4 of the Hawaii Admissions Act of 1959 for the “betterment of Native Hawaiian conditions” and for general public purposes; and
The Hawaiian Homelands Trust, which is comprised of approximately 200,000 acres of land, set aside by congress in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, and in Section 4 of the Hawai’i Admissions Act of 1959 for the “rehabilitation” and homesteading of “Native Hawaiians.”[15]
What kind of natural resource management systems/strategies would be implemented?
KLH shall enact laws for the protection, conservation and management of its natural resources within the Hawaiian archipelago.[16] Also, according to section 18(b) of the Ka Lahui Bill of Rights, Lands used by Native Hawaiians and their descendants for the cultivation of traditional food staples shall be entitled to water in sufficient quantities so as to maintain customary and traditional agricultural practices.
What have been the outcomes/outputs of KLH’s work thus far?
KLH has held 3 Constitutional Conventions and participated in 3 National Elections certified by the League of Women Voters. Since 1987, KLHH through its non-government organization, NaKoa Ikaika, has attended UN International events under the UNPFII, EMRIP, CBD, WIPO etc. & is an ECO0SOC affiliate to the IWA (International Arena). Since 1987 to the present KLH has participated in several Federal (US) undertakings including testimony on federal measures (Akaka Bill to US DOI hearings in 2014) (Nation to Federal Arena). Since 1987 to present KLHH has participated in many State undertaking & initiatives including Legislative & Agency initiatives (Native to State Arena).
How would your model affect life as we know it today? What would change? What would stay the same?
If KLH’s form of government is recognized, we will generally continue to live, work, and play as we do today. Your job, social security, retirement or pension from the U.S. or the State would not be affected. The primary change would be that Hawaiian lands and assets would be managed and controlled by laws passed by Ka Lahui’s Legislature. Hawaiians would elect Hawaiians to represent Hawaiian interests and concerns.[17] There are over 500 recognized indigenous nations/governments in the Continental USA, these indigenous Nations have not dismembered States, caused war or resulted in violence.
[1] KLH, 2.
[2] HAKL, VIII. International issues; 2. Position Statement.
[3] KLH, 5.
[4] Art II, Sec. 1.
[5] Art II., Sec. 4.
[6] KLH, 7.
[7] Article II, Section 3. Of Ka Lāhui Hawai’i Constitution. (KLH, 12).
[8] According to Article IV, Section 7 of Ka Lāhui’s constitution, (KLH 14).
[9] KLH Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 1, (KLH, 17).
[10] KLH Constitution, Art. VII, Sec 2, (KLH, 17).
[11] See HAKL.
[12] KLH Constitution, Article IV, Section 8.
[13] KLH, 14.
[14] The Declaration is available online here: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf.
[15] KLH, 4.
[16] KLH Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 16, (KLH, 11).
[17] KLH, 7.
Information was gathered from the following sources for this information sheet: