 This is St. Tech, Hawaii. Community matters here. Aloha, and welcome back to Talk Story with John Waihe. It's been my pleasure for a while now to bring you my favorite people and having our conversations with them. Today we have a guest that I think that you will find very interesting. I would like to introduce all of you who haven't already met him to Kohio Lewis, who is the CEO of the nonprofit organization called Console for Native Hawaiian Advancement, or CNHA, which most of us know your organization as. Welcome, Kohio. Thank you God for having me. Now, I want to talk to you because, well, first of all, tell the people what your organization does and, you know, who's, who makes up the organization. CNHA has been around for 21 years. We're a nonprofit, member-based organization. So we have over a hundred native Hawaiian organizations that pay dues to us. And by way of those dues, we provide services to them. So over a hundred Hawaiian organizations belong to us. Yes. Belonged as members of your organization. So we're a member-based organization. We're governed by those members as well. So if you're a part of CNHA, you can be on the governing board. But our focus areas is advocacy for native Hawaiian, so public policy. We do capacity building, so we do some direct service. We also have a loan fund, a four and a half million dollar loan fund that revolves to support native Hawaiians with economic development. So, and we put on our native Hawaiian convention every year. Right. I've been to it. It's, you know, quite a few very good cross-section of the native Hawaiian community participates in your activities and especially at the convention. Absolutely. Yeah. So if you're a politician out there, make sure that if you want to make friends with the native Hawaiians, you ought to attend the CNHA convention every year. I just thought I'd mention that because I used to be in the profession. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you because, well, first of all, because of what you do and the extensive reach you have, but also about recent events that occurred in the Hawaiian community with the situation at the office of Hawaiian affairs where we saw a group of people, Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian actually, as it turns out, from the Polynesian nation of Atui, basically go and try to take over as they, you know, this is what they say, take over the office of Hawaiian affairs. I'm not sure what, but it looks like the assets. And in the course of doing that, there was actually some people from the office of Hawaiian, some staff people, not even the trustees, but some staff people who were physically beaten up, I mean physically hurt. In fact, one friend of mine or person I know even had his ribs broken. So as a result of that incident, you and a number of other leaders in the native Hawaiian community actually held a press conference. So I thought today it might be worthwhile for people listening to understand what happened and why the reaction and who the reaction was from. So why don't you tell us all about it? Well, I think I was shocked just like everyone else when we learned about what happened at the office of Hawaiian affairs and it happened on a date very significant to the Hawaiian community. And what date was that? January 17th, which marks the date of the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom. Yeah, because I, like many others, were, you know, watching the events at the state capitol as part of the commemoration of what is a very sad and significant day for our community. So on that day, of course, over 126 years ago, our queen was overthrown. So annually, a number of native Hawaiian organizations come together for a peaceful march from Mauna Aula where our queen is resting to the state capitol. And it's of course to remind everyone what our queen stood for, which is actually peace and reconciliation. So quite the opposite happened on that day. So while a number of our Hawaiian groups were marching through this peaceful protest from our peaceful march from Mauna Aula to the capitol, the kingdom of Atui, the Polynesian kingdom of Atui was at Oha, conducting themselves in a way that is just not becoming of what our queen would want or any of us. I understood they were actually pretending to be federal marshals of all things. I mean, I didn't understand that part. I didn't understand how the action of a separate activist group, why would they pretend to be federal marshals of all things? Which is so inconsistent with the whole idea of what that day was about. I mean, that day was about commemorating the fact that the United States landed troops in Hawaii illegally. So if you're going to copy what the U.S. does, why would you do that and espouse to be on the side of the queen and our history and the rest? I think, first of all, Hawaiians have an unrelinquished sovereignty. Yes, absolutely. And that's why I believe that a hundred percent. We just lack the government structure to uphold that sovereignty. And so what we have right now is a number of Hawaiian groups who have self-proclaimed themselves as the interim government or as the government. Atui is no different. Except why would they be pretending to be the people that they should be, I guess, advocating against? I'm assuming it's because their constitution or whatever they're going by is creating these officer positions. But really, it opens up a different hand as to why of all the different authorities you could name yourself, why choose something that's replicating. You know, it's just inconceivable to me. And maybe it's unfair to ask you why. I should actually invite them here. And if anybody from Atui is listening to this program, I would be delighted to have you. But anyway, so they went there. And what happened? So what I was saying was, I think a number of us in the Hawaiian community were just upset that someone would do such a thing to Native Hawaiians. So it's like Hawaiians attacking Hawaiians. In this case, actually, I'm understanding that some of them aren't even Hawaiian. They're actually of other Polynesian descent. But that's just not though. You don't attack Hawaiians, right? You just not to uphold Hawaiians and you physically attack them. I think all of us can disagree with some of the actions and decisions of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. But there's a certain way that you uphold yourself because the how you behave is a reflection of the Hawaiian community as a whole. So their behaviors are just unacceptable. And what did they do? I mean, specifically? Well, they did. They assaulted staff within the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. And for complete disclosure, I used to work for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. And the staff that was assaulted was actually my position that I used to hold at OHA. So it hit home for me. It hit home what happened. So this is the frontline staff of OHA, right? These are hard working people trying their best every day to make life and improve life for Native Hawaiians. So these are not the political people in the organization. They're not the decision makers by any means. They're the ones that say hello. How can I help you when you come into the Office of Hawaiian Affairs? Harmless, innocent. So to see what happened really hit home for me. And I think it hit home for a number of Hawaiians. So that's why we decided to galvanize. And oftentimes, Hawaiians have to put themselves in check. And that's what we decided to do in this case. Kahia or call went out to the Hawaiian community. Everyone that agreed that what happened was not pono or not proper. Let's come together. So when you say put themselves in check, what do you mean? You mean that the Hawaiian community needs to do its own policing? Absolutely. Absolutely. I think that, you know, oftentimes Hawaiians are the best advocate against Hawaiians. So, you know, when something goes wrong or is not proper, it oftentimes takes a Hawaiian to remind them that that's not pono or proper. So you're talking like my kupuna, like my grandmother, you know, whenever we were growing up, she was the one that would point out, you know, not this or not this way. Absolutely. Or we don't do that. That's not how we behave. That's not how Hawaiians behave. Right, because we certainly don't want non-Hawaiians selling us how to behave as Hawaiians. So the first people to put people in check should be Hawaiians. And that's why we came together. So you came together with a whole group of people, right? And the intention was to show that in the, you know, it wasn't a matter of what you want to believe in or how you believe it. In your opinion, it was that there are, there is a line. There's not to be crossed when you express yourself. Absolutely. Absolutely. And what's that line? I mean, what's that one is you don't assault someone of your own ethnicity, especially when it comes to a political issue. Well, I think you don't assault innocent people. Sure. Period. You know, but especially people of your own. Yeah, you don't assault anybody. Yeah. But I think in this case, who they pursued, you know, and how they pursued them just stirred emotion in many of us. So, especially you, I mean, these, the people that were affected were actually people you were. Wow, that's pretty, that's bringing pretty close to home. Right. Well, also, you know, people don't know my son also works there. So I was a little concerned as well. Right. So, you know, so tell me who came together? I mean, who are the groups? What kind of people? I mean, were you all of one political persuasion or? Yeah. So let me say it first. I let the kingdom of Atui has come to Oha before. Prior to this, when I was employed there, they would come. They've never taken on violence. You know, this is the first time they physically assaulted anybody, but they have come to Oha before. Going back to the question about who came together, it was a number of organ over 50 native white organizations, whom a hula practitioners all came together. And from the entire political spectrum and across the state to all islands. So this was not just Ohahu. This was leaders from across the Pai Aina or across the land. Wow. So you know, maybe we ought to, you know, I'm saying this a little cataly, but I actually mean it. Maybe we ought to say thank you. Absolutely. In the sense that they brought together that kind of unification. They did. They brought kumula. They brought native white organizations. Give us a taste of some of the people who, if you can, I don't want to destroy anybody's privacy. No, no, no. So I mean, you had the Association of White Civic Clubs were there. A number of civic clubs. You had kumul hula like Kaylee, Yvonne Shell, Napoel Gregg. You had well, she was there. She's another kumula. The day before actually the day before she was there the day of she was participating in the peaceful march from Mauna Aula. And then she heard what happened and came over to the office. Wow. You know, I have a lot of respect for these people, you know, Haleona Lee, Kamehameha Schools was there. So a number of organizations, everyone put their political differences aside and stood together. I understand that a lot of people who don't necessarily agree with the civic clubs and others in terms of our political aspirations are also part of this, part of this grouping. Very much so. I guess like John Osorio from, you know, the Hawaii Nui Akea. Well, he's the dean of the University of Hawaii. He was there. Hawaiian Studies. Yep. Lily Kala Kamehilehiva, well-known UH scholar. She's the protest against me when I was governor. But she never assaulted you. No, no, no. But you know, that's it's heartwarming. Yeah. Actually, for me, the hidden gem, we're going to discuss more about what the statement was and how people reacted. But the hidden gem in all of this was to see such an amazing cross section of the Hawaiian community come together on an issue. And that issue apparently was there is a line, guys, you know, our queen required certain kind of conduct, our culture requires it. Our political effectiveness requires it. And you guys crossed it. Yeah. Was that pretty much the summary? Pretty much. Yeah. And I mean, I want to add that a number of senators, elected officials within our state system had also signed on to this event as well. So cross intersection of Native Hawaiian community leaders, for cultural to organizations to Kuma hula. I mean, and state senators as well and state, state representatives. Well, that's pretty fantastic. We're going to take a short break right now. And we'll be right back. And when we come back, we're going to dig a little deeper into the actual statement itself. Hello, Dave Stevens, host of the Cyber Underground. This is where we discuss everything that relates to computers that's just kind of scare you out of your mind. So come join us every week here on think tech Hawaii calm 1pm on Friday afternoons. And then you can go see all our episodes on YouTube. Just look up the cyber underground on YouTube. All our shows will show up. And please follow us. We're always giving you current relevant information to protect you. Keeping you safe. Hello. Hi, my boo. Hi. My name is Amy or Tega Anderson inviting you to join us every Tuesday here on Pinoy Power Hawaii with think tech Hawaii. We come to your home at 12 noon every Tuesday. We invite you to listen, watch for our mission of empowerment. We aim to enrich and lighten, educate, entertain, and we hope to empower. Again, Maraming, Salamat Po, Mabuhay, and Aloha. Welcome back to talk story with John and our guest this afternoon, Coheel Lewis, the CEO of the console for native Hawaiian advancements CNHA. And we are discussing the reason events that took place in the Hawaiian community, both at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and just among many, many groups in response to what the nation of Atui, you know, did at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Now, I don't want to give the impression to anybody that we're picking on the nation of Atui because we would have, I think the people who participated in that and correct me if I'm wrong, would have stood up, no matter who behaved in this fashion. Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, for the, well, anyway, for those of you who would like to ask us any call in and say something or ask a question, our call in our hotline is 808-374-2014, 808 374-2014. So the group that got together actually created a statement, which, by the way, is not that easy. There's been only a few times when we had almost unanimous consent on any kind of position paper. And in this case, it appears that that occurred. So I thought, you know, Coheel, if you could, our listeners might appreciate maybe you're walking through some of the high points of what that statement was, and what you were trying to accomplish. Sure. Sure. I mean, let me say first, I mean, when we did the press conference, the news, of course, takes a sound bite. Yeah, that's why we were here. Of a much broader statement, and it is not intended necessarily to attack someone, but rather put on notice that this is not how we behave as Hawaiians. Yeah, it's like my grandmother used to do, you know, Keone, you don't do that. We don't do that. So in this case, you know, the sound bite that might have been shared on the news was just a snippet of a much broader statement of Hawaiian community. So I'll share a little bit about what it says in here. It's unfortunate how the actions of just a few interrupted some incredible work being done in our community each and every day. Before they were attacked and challenged, OHA staff were actively working on advocacy efforts to ensure sufficient water for Kalo farmers, appropriate funding for Hawaiian focused education, affordable housing for our Hanna and respect for Hawaiian claims to land and assets. This is a fraction of the work here done at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to serve our community, not to mention the myriad of other agencies and organizations doing amazing work as well. We will not tolerate extremists co-opting the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and all of the progress that has been made on behalf of our Lahui. So I mean, again, I guess the point was because I have seen meetings at OHA where it's hot and heavy, where people are passionate about their beliefs and, you know, have no inhibition about expressing it. So this is not a not a what you're talking about is not, you know, a reaction to that necessarily, but to the idea that what the people that were attacked were the staff, right, doing their job, the front line staff. And in this case, you know, that was, that was our point is they're innocent. They didn't do anything. I mean, if anything, there's a board of trustees who you elect and we have a democratic where you go in there and you share your two cents. But even then, hopefully you conduct yourself in a way that doesn't lead to any kind of violent action. Right. I mean, the statement also points out that we're 550,000 strong. So that's how many Hawaiians exist right now. And they're probably 550,000 points of views. That's that that's what the statement goes on to say many of us gathered together to represent various differing ideologies, political theories and strategies to move our Lahui forward. We stand united on much, including our Kuliana to Aloha Aina, and to hold ourselves and our community accountable. So again, we're from all over the place. We have all kind of different ideologies, but we don't behave that way. It seems to be what you were saying is that but there is a line that we all agree on, right, that you shouldn't cross. Correct. And it got cross in this instance. Correct. Yes. You know, go ahead. No, no, no, that I mean, that's the crux of the statement. I mean, it just says, we want to hold ourselves accountable. Again, we should be policing ourselves. You know, that's a really interesting concept, the idea of policing ourselves, as you say, the native Hawaiian community. You know, if somebody behaves in a manner that we don't agree, you know, that crosses that line, which I am taking to mean violent because surely, you can't be saying in this statement that people can't passionately protest. No, not at all. I mean, whether we agree with them or not, oftentimes, I mean, I remember, for example, when the Hawaiians, the group from Waimanalo and across the state very early in the 70s, went to the, the Hilo Airport, and essentially shut it down. I mean, it was a very effective protest. But it doesn't fall in the category of what you are talking about here, does it? No. And let me clarify. When I say police ourselves, I mean police ourselves in the sense of holding one another accountable and ensuring that they know what is Pili, what is Pono, and what is not. So in terms of enforcing the law, you know, that's a whole nother, that's a whole nother. That's somebody else's job. But in terms of, is there a moment to educate on what is Pono and what is not? Absolutely. And that was the one of the intents of this, of this gathering was community at large. This is not how we behave. Right? So it's a notice to the Lahuwi at large. Well, you know what's interesting is, and what I thought about is the fact that what, what we were, what was interesting is that there was a kind of subtle, I don't know whether I call this reaction to what happened there, in this sense, that it seemed like to a number of people that I have talked to, that if the Hawaiian group had done this to, for example, monarchy, or some where we have not done what was done there, not use any kind of violence, which I'm assuming that the entire movement was against, but that the penalties that people sought for people who were protesting against what was happening from the state and the general public seem to be a little higher, little stiffer than the penalties that were given to these people who actually beat up Native Hawaiian innocent workers. Right. So to the, first of all, I want to commend HPD because Oh, HPD, yeah. Susan Ballard in particular, because I think she has heard heard the kahia or the call from the native Hawaiian community, the responding officers that day did not know that someone was assaulted to the degree. Oh, great. So they, they were pursuing what information was available to them at the time. So HPD, by the way, it was not the, just so we clarified it, there was this, this, this press conference was not aimed at the HPD. In fact, Susan Ballard and the officers in general have always been, you know. But I think the severity of what occurred, you know, you're right, even though they did not have the information available to them at the time in terms of the degree of the assault, had they stormed any other state government office, would they be held to the same standard, get out one hour later, right? Yeah. $100 bail. So I don't think so. Do I think there's inequity one way or the other? Absolutely. But HPD looks like they are taking it seriously and they are, they've have since passed the case over to the attorney general, where he can determine what is appropriate and what is not. You know, that's a really interesting point. And it is sort of subtle and I'm not sure people are getting it. But what we are saying here is not only are we pleasing ourselves, but we want equal treatment. Yes. So that when people do things against Native Hawaiians, they ought to be treated in the same way that you would treat it if some Native Hawaiian did somebody who was in another state agency who was not doing things for Native Hawaiians. Absolutely. I mean, I have I have traffic tickets tied in $100, you know, and I, you know, so I'm just saying, I mean, $100 bail for even, even storming a state agency is kind of questionable, comparatively to other, other charges. And we have Ola Loa Aina advocates out there for speaking, Ola Loa Hawaii in court, you know, getting thrown in prison for that. Yeah, yeah, well, one good thing that has happened as a result of that is the fact that now, you know, Hawaiian is interpretation interpreters are provided, but you're right. The point is that I guess that this effort was the signal to the native, I mean, to the community at large and to the native Hawaiian community that number one, we are responsible for our own actions on the first instance that when it, when it crosses the line, we'll call it out. Right. And second, you know, don't think that just because this is Hawaiian on Hawaiian violence, that it ought to be treated any difference than violence that occurs anywhere else. I mean, I do believe that that's the message. By the way, I got, we got informed that the native, that the Polynesian nation of Atui were not acting like federal marshals, they were acting as federal marshals because they were trying to get certified as federal marshals. I don't understand the logic of all of that, but we were corrected. So maybe I, maybe there's a logic to that. I don't know. Yeah. I mean, every other time we've seen Hawaiians, you know, the kingdom advocates do anything. They had their own police force. They didn't have to pretend they were United States police force. So I got a little mixed up. I think it brings up an interesting point about the whole conversation about sovereignty in general. You know, Hawaiians have not had enough opportunity to discuss sovereignty. You know, so maybe there's, maybe this is a beginning to a conversation about sovereignty. You know, the, the furtherance of, of native Hawaiian rights and, and really reconciliation. Yeah, reconciliation. Which by the way, I just wanted to again add something, Dan, to your statement that we have unrelinquished sovereignty. It's not something you just made up. It's actually the language used in the Apology Resolution that was passed by the United States Congress and signed by the President of the United States. It's an acknowledgement that that exists. I want to thank you for all the work that you're doing for Native Hawaiians in the state of Hawaii and elsewhere. Thanks, Cup. And thank you for appearing and for enlightening all of us. Yes. We'll be back in two weeks, I believe, for another talk story with John Waheed. Thank you all for joining us this afternoon. Aloha.