As we approach the Hawaiʻi State legislative session, OHA must confront a concerning trend: the decline in Kānaka Maoli knowledge of democratic citizenship, government, and Hawaiian history. This reflects the diminished priority of civic education in our schools.
While STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) has taken precedence, civic engagement and aloha ʻāina (patriotism) have been sidelined. This neglect fosters apathy about the democratic process, disengagement from voting, and detachment from governance.
It is alarming that many in Hawaiʻi do not know who their elected leaders are – let alone their state representatives. Such disengagement erodes the political influence of Native Hawaiians.
When we, as Kānaka Maoli, fail to engage in shaping policies, we forfeit opportunities to protect our rights, advocate for resources, and ensure our voices are heard on critical issues impacting our lāhui.
To address this, we must renew our commitment to civic education and engagement, recognizing these as tools for preserving our heritage, fostering self-determination, and advancing the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians.
Political advocacy is vital to empowering Kānaka Maoli to influence policies impacting our cultural, economic, and social wellbeing. When we engage with civic processes, we strengthen our ability to protect sacred lands for future generations, advocate for culturally relevant curricula and equitable resources for Native Hawaiian students, shape policies that prioritize affordable housing solutions, and champion legislation reflecting mālama ʻāina.
Active participation amplifies Native Hawaiian voices and ensures our perspectives are represented in legislative and administrative decisions. It also helps build a thriving Hawaiian Nation rooted in self-governance, economic resilience, and cultural sovereignty.
To reverse the trend of disengagement, we must take a proactive approach to civic education by integrating it into schools, communities, and cultural practices. A statewide effort must emphasize citizenship, government, and history in public, private, and charter schools.
The responsibility to inspire civic engagement extends beyond classrooms. We must engage Hawaiʻi’s youth, weaving civic responsibility into their cultural identity. By fostering leadership and providing opportunities to participate in the legislative process, we cultivate a generation of Kānaka Maoli leaders committed to building a better future for Hawaiʻi.
In 1991, as a high school junior, I attended ʻAha ʻŌpio, sponsored in part by OHA. This tremendous opportunity to learn about civic responsibility, the legislative process, and cultural education at the state capitol shaped the person I am today. Similar programs can inspire the next generation to lead with vision and purpose.
The upcoming session offers a critical opportunity for Kānaka Maoli to advocate for policies uplifting our people. I urge you to find out who your elected leaders are at elections.hawaii.gov and capitol.hawaii.gov. Register with the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, track bills, submit testimony, attend hearings, and engage with legislators to ensure Native Hawaiian perspectives are front and center.
Whether the issues concern land rights, housing, education, or environmental stewardship, your voice matters. Active participation in the democratic process allows us to protect our rights and preserve our cultural heritage.
This session, let us not merely observe the democratic process but actively shape it. Together, we can revitalize civic engagement, empower our lāhui, and advance a vision for Hawaiʻi rooted in cultural sovereignty, self-governance, and aloha ʻāina.
The time to act is now. Let us stand united to ensure the values and interests of Kānaka Maoli are not only preserved but amplified for generations to come.
