Ive decided to take a break from the Hawaiian governance thing for a bit. Im going to tie up a few obligations. Finish my testimony. Then pau for a bit. Its just too kaumaha. Peter Apo asked me tonight if I was willing to risk everything rather than take what the feds were offering, and I said, yes, to which there were tsa!s and gasps. He said I was crazy. I dont think Im crazy. Simply put: just I refuse to to act out of fear. I want to make decisions because I believe they are the right decisions, not because Im afraid of some unknown alternative. Also, Ive looked very closely at all of this and I dont believe that the sky is about to fall. I honestly dont. I believe these are more of the same fear tactics that people have used to disposes people of their lands and rights across the world forever. I dont know if I want independence. I dont know if I want federal recognition. I want more education. I want more studies. I want time for our communities to fully educate themselves, ask all the questions they have, take the time they need, and achieve free, prior and informed consent before making any decision. I believe this is our basic human right, and I believe it is being denied. So Im done for a bit, Im going to go cool things like fight climate change, write some great policies, integrate culture into conservation action, help Pacific Island communities - the things that make me happy... Ill be happy to step back into this issue when the time is right. Im feeling better already!
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 06:44:40 +0000