Kamehameha Scholars – 25 Apr. 2009

On this Saturday we kept the music coming as we focused on the future. Andrea Dias, the Director of Kamehameha Scholars came by to tell us about a program that reaches into the community outside of Kamehameha Schools to raise up new generations of Hawaiian leaders, and also offers financial help for higher education.
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Interview with Bill Meheula discussing ceded lands – 18 Apr. 2009

Another gorgeous Saturday morning and we were thinking of you driving the kids around, going shopping, making breakfast, or heading off to work to all the great music. Our very special guest was Bill Meheula, the attorney who represented the original 4 plaintiffs who sued to stop the State from selling ceded lands on Maui 15 years ago. That is the original case behind the recent U.S. Supreme court ruling that sent the issue of cede land sales back to the Hawai’i courts. Bill is now proposing a dismissal without prejudice in the case that would swing into effect in tandem with legislative action requiring two thirds approval of both houses before a sale of ceded lands could occur. He says the Lingle adminstration has agreed to the settlement, though the legislative end of it still an open question. Bill closed by explaining the relationships between this case and the Akaka bill, disclosing that he supports the billthough he knows Vickie and Kahoonei do not. Everyone’s welcome at this table!
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Interview with Collette Machado from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs discussing issues facing Moloka’i – 11 Apr. 2009

We kept the music up front on this beautiful Saturday across the Hawaiian Islands. Our special forcus was on Moloka’i as we welcomed Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Collette Machado to the kitchen table. Born in Kalama’ula, Trustee Machado moved to O’ahu as a girl and after taking a furlough from high school, she got her GED and went on to the Univeristy of Hawai’i at Manoa. The activist days of the 60’s and 70’s sparked Trustee Machado’s political awakening and involvement in community issues. She returned to Moloka’i and community service there and 13 years ago was elected to represent Moloka’i and Lana’i on the OHA board. It was great to hear an update on the future of Moloka’i Ranch, the Moloka’i Land Trust and the potential for wind energy on that island. We also heard about the Lana’i Cultural Heritage Center. Check their website: http://www.lanaichc.org/ for insight into the Hawaiian history of that island.
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An interview with representative Mele Carroll discussing current events including the recent supreme court ruling on ceded lands – 4 Apr. 2009

Mahalo for your company again! Some great music today, focusing on Maui artists because of our guest, State Representative Mele Carroll whose district encompasses East Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i and Kaho’olawe. She chairs the House Hawaiian Affairs Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services and Judiciary Committees.This past week, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the 1993 Apology Resolution does not prevent the State of Hawai’i from selling Hawai’i’s ceded lands, so Representative Carroll took a few minutes to outline the related legislation that is currently pending here. She favors a complete moratorium on selling or transferring ceded lands but is hopeful a compromise bill providing a 5 year moratorium and requiring legislative approval for any sale will pass this session.Representative Carroll then shared community issues and triumphs regarding the Nahiku Community Center on the Hana coast and possible much-needed capitol improvement projects on Moloka’i. We had to leave it there, reluctantly, because getting an on the ground close up community report from these wonderful places was truly refreshing. we’ll have to continue later!
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