Five Hawaiian Civic Clubs (‘Ahahui Kiwila of San Diego, ‘Ahahui o Lili’uokalani, Lau Kanaka No Hawai’i, Kai Ula Pono’i Texas and Kaha I Ka Panoa Kaleponi) have partnered in a grant from Hawai’i Maoli to create a Native Hawaiian Registry of Native Hawaiians on the continent called KAKAU INOA.
The catalyst for creating the registry came from the passage of Act 195, which is a Hawaii State Law signed by Hawai’i’s Governor Abercrombie in July 2011 recognizing that Native Hawaiians are the only indigenous people of Hawai’i. It also directs the Governor to appoint five commissioners who will create and implement a process by which individuals can be “certified” as meeting the “criteria” set out by the Act for inclusion in a “qualified Native Hawaiian Roll.” However, Act 195 does not reach out to Native Hawaiians outside of the State of Hawai’i. At some point, the State will convene a convention of delegates (those on the “certified roll”) who will determine the kind of government structure Hawai’i will have. The certified roll will decide who can join and become part of that government. To assure ourselves a seat at the table when this convention happens, we must be able to present a registry of Native Hawaiians living outside of Hawai’i who want to participate in the process.
Census 2010 has determined that half of the 500,000+ Native Hawaiians counted live outside of the State of Hawai’i. It therefore determines that in order to be inclusive, the State of Hawai’i must reach out to the entire population of Native Hawaiians no matter where they live. We are part of that 50%.
From now until the end of the grant cycle (July of this 2012), the project is committed to registering 500 people (collectively) and asks your support in this effort. This project will continue beyond the grant cycle with funding from other sources which we hope to identify. It will be a secure registry accessible only to member clubs of the Mainland Council with limitations. Personal, identifiable information will not be available to the general public.
An electronic form along with an online spreadsheet is in the works – once that is completed and ready for data entry, we can forward to you upon your request with instructions on how to complete the forms. In the interim, if you would like to use the quick form (below) and begin to register your ‘ohana and friends, please download, print, and send the completed forms to:
Lono Kollars
22545 Scarlet Sage Way
Moreno Valley, California, 92557