What is the ʻAha?
The ‘Aha, or constitutional convention, that is being organized by Naʻi Aupuni leaves it to Native Hawaiians to decide for themselves whether they want to organize an indigenous government, and if so, what form that government should take.
For many Native Hawaiians, the need to create a Hawaiian government is hard to see. Sometimes, we can’t imagine how a government will improve our everyday lives. In its simplest form, a Hawaiian government will give us more control and say in how Hawaiian lands and resources are used. As a lahui, we have the right to solve our own concerns and manage our resources to achieve our own community’s goals. A Native Hawaiian government can help clear roadblocks that limit our success in meeting our own needs.
For many Native Hawaiians, the need to create a Hawaiian government is hard to see. Sometimes, we can’t imagine how a government will improve our everyday lives. In its simplest form, a Hawaiian government will give us more control and say in how Hawaiian lands and resources are used. As a lahui, we have the right to solve our own concerns and manage our resources to achieve our own community’s goals. A Native Hawaiian government can help clear roadblocks that limit our success in meeting our own needs.
What will happen at the ʻAha? |
At the ‘Aha, delegates will develop a constitution outlining the structure of our Hawaiian government. This convening is estimated to take approximately 40 days (although it could go longer or shorter). Following the ʻAha, Native Hawaiians on the roll will vote again, but this time we will vote on whether we agree with the constitution created at the ‘Aha. This is called a ratification process.
If voters agree to adopt the constitution, we begin the process of electing government officials to serve in the offices created in the constitution. |
Important Dates
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Last day to register to vote: October 15, 2015
Election: November 1, 2015 - November 30, 2015 Convention (ʻaha) convenes: February 1, 2015 Ratification process: TBD Register: https://kanaiolowalu.org/registernow/ |