Interview with Dr. Lynette Cruz – 24 Jan. 2009

Another great Saturday to be together, still feeling the glow from DC. Vickie was still up there partying so we hustled up some great music for a party of our own with a soulful sister, educator and activist, Dr.Lynette Cruz. What is an activist in Hawai’i today? Lynette says Kumu John Ka’imikaua taught that it is someone who consults their gut feeling for what is right and acts upon it. Lynette says after years in the struggle, Hawaiian sovereignty is not an isolated issue, but is part of a whole social fabric of justice regarding homelessness, healthcare, incarceration, education, every part of our community lives. Our solution to every issue, according to Lynette, should not only be rational, fair, and legal, it must meet the criteria of feeling right, or pono. It was neat when she described what happened last week on Sovereignty Sunday, a day for remembering the overthrow of Queen Lili’uokalani. “Hawaiian activists” came up against officers enforcing new DLNR rules regarding activities at ‘Iolani Palace, and the result left the door open for mutual understanding. Dr. Lynette Cruz teaches at HPU and welcomes your thoughts and questions: palolo@hawaii.rr.com.

‘olelo no’eau:
Our ‘olelo no’eau was a perfect tie-in from the past: He ‘ike ‘ana ia i ka pono—Recognizing the right thing, one has seen the right thing to do and has done it. Don’t forget we all have a contact for Hawaiian issues at this year’s state legislature, Kaho’onei is working in Representative Mele Carroll’s office. Let’s all stop by and say hi—but not all at once!

 

 Interview with Dr. Lynette Cruz - 24 Jan. 2009 [107:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download