>
Army signs Native Hawaiian covenant
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12200459
WAIKIKI (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Native Hawaiian community and
the military have often been at odds over the use of land
across the islands. But Wednesday, representatives from both
signed a promise to work together.
It's called the Native Hawaiian Covenant, a simple one-page
statement along with six goals designed to heal the hard
feelings between the two groups.
The Royal Order of Kamehameha started the ceremony with an
offering at the Kukalepa Memorial at Fort DeRussy. The
memorial stands in honor of maoli killed in battles. After
the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii Ponoi,
members of the army and the Native Hawaiian Community stepped
forward to sign the covenant.
It states the army will work to protect and preserve the
fragile environment of the islands, as well as keep a
dialogue open with Native Hawaiians while meeting the
military's missions.
One development is already planned at Makua Valley. The
leeward Oahu training ground has been the center of several
battles from groups who say military action there is
destroying cultural sites and living species
"Through funding obtained from Senator Daniel Inouye's
office, we are creating a visitor's center at the Makua
Military reservation that will provide a location to describe
the history of the valley and the rare cultural artifacts and
unique plants and animal life located in that beautiful
valley," said Maj. Gen. Michael Terry, the Commanding General
of the U.S. Army Hawaii. "We encourage people to visit Makua
and fully support cultural access events and activities
there."
"It is the responsibility of the army and other other
branches of service to safeguard us from unwarranted
aggression," said Neil Hannahs, a Kamehameha Schools Land
Manager and member of the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council
formed for this covenant. "The Kanaka Maoli advisory council
recognizes these circumstances, and strives through this
covenant to respect the importance of host culture needs and
values while also recognizing the contribution of the
military's presence in ensuring our security and freedom."
The covenant ceremony ended with hula, and the planting of an
ulu to symbolize a new beginning.
Here is the complete text of the Native Hawaiian Covenant:
US Army-Hawaii's Covenant with Native Hawaiians
We recognize that...
...The Native Hawaiians are na kanaka oiwi Hawaii...the
aboriginal peoples of Hawai'i.
...Native Hawaiian' cultural and historical experiences are
shaped by the land and surrounding ocean...that as the Army
maintains and uses the land of Hawai'i, it is mindful to
protect and preserve this fragile environment and ensure that
what remains is a meaningful legacy for future generations.
We are committed to:
Providing sustainable installation support and services for
Joint War fighters, our Army Families, and the military
community that meets current and future mission requirements,
safeguards human health, improves quality of life and
enhances the natural environment;
Providing proactive dialogue with Native Hawaiians to ensure
the meaningful exchange of information and to enable sound,
informed decisions by the Army that respects the legacy of
the Native people of Hawai'i while meeting the mission and
goals of the Army;
Building a partnership between the Native Hawaiian community
and the US Army, a relationship that promotes mutual
cooperation, understanding and enhances the standing of each
within the community;
We are committed to a mutually beneficial relationship
between Native Hawaiians and the US Army, Hawai'i by:
- Enhancing education and understanding of Native Hawaiian
issues, culture, and values to Army Soldiers and Families
- Enhancing education and understanding of Army values,
culture and actions to the Native Hawaiian community
- Leveraging opportunities for proactive dialogue between the
Army and Native Hawaiians
-*-
'
-
Select threads ...
>> Light*Line NEWS ///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\/// MARCH 2010
global community news since 1997
http://LightLine.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------------------------
To sub/unsub go to http://LightLine.US
We'll Hook You Up!
* = Disclaimer & Fair Use Notice =
All info provided as a public service. Views and opinions
expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. This
message may contain copyrighted material the use of which may
not have specific authorization by the copyright owner.
LightLine makes such material available in an effort to
advance the understanding of political, scientific, and
religious issues. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of
any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107
of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C.
Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to
those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the
included information for nonprofit educational and research
purposes. For more information on fair use, go to:
http://linkbee.com/fairuse
"!"
0 comments:
Post a Comment