The Army is trying to patch up the broken relations with the Kanaka Maoli community through a concerted public relations and counter organizing campaign. They have hired Annelle Amaral to be a Native Hawaiian liaison to organize a Native Hawaiian front supportive of the Army’s activities in Hawai’i. She is quoted as saying:
“The relationship between Native Hawaiians and the military becomes increasingly hostile as the years progress. Enough already. It’s time for us to learn to work on building bridges instead of blowing them up.”
Um, the only ones blowing things up is the military. The activists are actually trying to stop the destructive activities of the military. Hawai’i did not invade the U.S., take American land or destroy American sacred places. Ms. Amaral needs to stop perverting the history of the U.S. military’s oppressive role in Hawai’i and start supporting her own people who stand up to defend the culture and land.
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http://www.kitv.com/news/22948373/detail.html
Native Hawaiians, Army Sign Covenant
Agreement Aims For Better Relations
Dick Allgire KITV 4 News Reporter
HONOLULU —
U.S. Army officials signed a covenant with Native Hawaiians Wednesay, which they hope will bring greater understanding, more dialogue, and better relations. A ceremony for the covenant signing was held on the lawn at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. It’s an attempt by the U. S. Army to mend fences with the Native Hawaiian community.
Many Native Hawaiians blame the Army for its role in the overthrow of their kingdom, and with modern issues like the live fire training at Makua Valley, the relationship between Native Hawaiians and the military has been contentious.
“The relationship between Native Hawaiians and the military becomes increasingly hostile as the years progress. Enough already. It’s time for us to learn to work on building bridges instead of blowing them up,” said Hawaiian activist Annelle Amaral.
The covenant promises a mutually respectful attitude, more dialogue, and preservation of culturally sensitive areas.
“We are creating a visitors center at the Makua military reservation which will provide a location to describe the history of the valley and the rare cultural artifacts, and plants located in that beautiful valley,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Terry.
As Hawaiian and military leaders signed the covenant the Hawaiians at the ceremony made it clear they don’t represent all Native Hawaiians. They did stress the importance of good relations with the Army.
“To respect the importance of host culture needs and values, while also recognizing the contribution the military presence makes in assuring our security and freedom,” said Neil Hannahs, a Native Hawaiian Advisory Council member.