Posted by Wanola on November 06, 1998 at 00:06:01:
On November 23,1993 Bill Clinton,President of the United States Of America signed the "Apology Bill"(see Onipaa and related links).Bill's Apology(very appropriate title).But it is not enough that we apologize for a wrong done,while continuing "The Wrong".Certainly most of us can say that we have done something wrong in our lives.It does little good to continually bring up the past even after one has "Apologized" and is forgiven for the wrong committed.Today,now,in this time period,Kanakamaoli look at,and speak of the past so that we might know and understand,fully,the meaning of tomorrow.Oh yes words are very important,but words without action is like a bow and quivered arrows,without the bowsmen.It doesn't go anywhere,it just hangs there on the wall and looks good.Now, how difficult can it be to right "The Wrong?To many,taught from a very early age,the balance between doing what is right,and doing what is wrong equates into MONEY.Many rate RIGHT or WRONG as a moral,religious or community matter.Others still,evaluate RIGHT or WRONG based upon the NEEDS,the WILL,and the HEART FELT CONCERNS of the majority.The elders of the Hopi Indian nation evaluate RIGHT or WRONG this way:"WE WILL NOT SELL OUR HOMES,OUR LAND,OUR RELIGION AND OUR WAY OF LIFE FOR MONEY".Yes,there still are people in the world,and in HawaiI that belive there are some things MONEY cannot buy.All the MONEY in the world cannot undo "THE WRONG" done in the past.All the money in the world cannot bring wailele mountain breeze,blowing through the forrests and the trees.All the MONEY in the world cannot bring back the Mamo,Iiwi,and Elepaio.All the MONEY in the world cannot buy another HALEAKALA.Many today want to be served,few want to serve.Mr.Clinton,President of the United States Of America has said:"We have learned the lessons of history.We will not walk away".Indeed we have,but have we learned the lessons well? Will we not walk away?As we flow into this Makahiki period let us all reflect NonakupunamuaokoHawaiInei.Kanakamaoli have heard the call,now we must acknowledge,in action,the call.The call not only of men.Men whose actions belie the words they speak.Kanakamaoli are the answer to the many problems and conditions all are faced with in HawaiI today,and will be faced with in the future.Let the rhythm of this TRUTH flow like the falling rain from heaven,from the hightest mountains to the sea.In closing I pose this most fundamental of all questions:"IF NOT KANAKAMAOLI,WHO THEN?Pau.Wanola