REPORT FROM TiLeaf Group, A Native Advocacy Firm
— The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, appointed by Governor Abercrombie, held their August meeting on Maui. All five commissioners were present – Commission Chair and At-Large Commissioner, John Waihee, Vice Chairman and Oahu Commissioner Naalehu Anthony, Maui Commissioner, Mahealani Wendt, Kauai Commissioner, Robin Puanani Danner, and Hawaii Island Commissioner, Lei Kihoi.
Prior to and during the business meeting, Chairman Waihee made sure to spend time answering questions and providing an overview of the commission’s work for members of the public and Hawaiian community that attended.
“It’s important that we provide information, more important than the housekeeping items that every commission must do,” said Waihee. “This is perhaps, one of the most significant steps toward Hawaiian self-governance in modern day public policy – with the enactment of Act 195 and Governor Abercrombie signing it into law just last year in 2011.”
Commissioners were engaging, and enjoyed the interaction with Hawaiians who took time away from their Saturday activities to attend the meeting.
“It’s great to see the interest, and already, over a thousand individuals have said yes, to being included on the base roll that will ultimately decide the future of Native Hawaiian self-governance that state government has recognized under Act 195,” he continued.
During the business meeting, each commissioner reported on their activities and set tasks to accomplish over the year long enrollment period.
For more information, or to participate, visit www.kanaiolowalu.org.