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The Maui County Council's Efficiency Solutions and Circular Systems Committee, chaired by Council Member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, has been holding a series of meetings recently on the topic of systemic inequality towards those of Hawaiian heritage.
These presentations, mostly by UH professors, provided in-depth information about this sensitive subject. The point is that council members should know the full truth of Hawaii's history and current laws protecting Hawaiian interests. All council members will fervently claim that they are sensitive to Hawaiian cultural issues. However, when council votes on such issues, there is usually a 5-4 split opposed.
One such example is the failure of council to override the previous mayor's veto of the cultural overlay bill. The concept of this bill was to protect culturally sensitive areas. The five council members voting not to override generally seem to favor the interests of those seeking profits, hoping to not deal seriously with cultural issues.
Ask yourself how you would feel if your country was taken by force and attempts made to extinguish your culture, with injustices still lingering today. These injustices not only include protection of cultural sites, but also land title issues and water rights issues among others.
It's my view that when we allow any one person or group to suffer injustice we have opened the door to injustice for any of us. If you want to make a difference you can vote next time for those who favor justice for all, versus profits for some.
George Burnette
Wailuku