HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0567.009 1996-1998 rr^r
November 18, 1997 ~ 1~ i 8 G4
The Honorable Members of the COU',~ 1 '
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ,
Aloha mai:
Mahalo for hearing Bill 162.
On behalf of na 'aumakua, na kupuna, na makua a me na 'iipio, I ask that you to adopt Bill 162;
to encourage the proper use and spelling of Hawaiian words and terms.
As most of you know, Hawaiian history has shown us the decline of the host culture of Hawaii,
through disease and death; foreign values; legislative loss of language, etc. The influence of a
Western culture has devalued many Hawaiian concepts such as: malama ka aina, lokahi,
ho'oponopono, malama ko kupuna, na makua, a me na 'opio. Today, Western thinking embraces
Hawaiian concepts and strives for Pono, the balance of Hawaiian values and ideas into our
everyday lives. Many people of our islands are learning our mother tongue. This knowledge, is a
door that opens our minds and our hearts to nurture, love and respect this land. This is maika'i.
This is Pono.
Each and everyone of you has the ability to contribute to history by the passage of Bill 162. You
have the ability to right that which is wrong, the inaccurate and inappropriate spelling of
Hawaiian words and use of Hawaiian terms. You have the ability through legislation, to educate
ourselves. You have the ability to honor na aumakua, na kupuna, na makua a me na 'opio
through the correct usage and spelling of our native tongue.
I humbly ask that you honor our ancestors, out elders, adults and children of this land, and as
makua, you educate all of Hawai' is people, by supporting Bill 162.
Mahalo a nui loa,
Leimomi Sheazer, Po'o
Ka Lahui Hawaii, District 6
- S~ 7. o
1~ ~ presented ~ C
Aret. ~r~,~1.,8