Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 10, 1 October 1993 — Our readers write [ARTICLE]

Our readers write

To the editor: I am outraged at the treatment being received by the Ravmond Kamaka 'ohana from the U.S. military over Kamaka land in Waikāne Valley. Is the government trying to mb salt into our wounds by confiscating Kamaka land, because they refuse to elean up the bombs and munitions left from military maneuvers? The government breaches its contract while leasing Kamaka land it promised to elean up. They have the technology to elean up Kaho'olawe; they ean do the same to Kamaka 'āina. Instead the U.S. offers S700.000, a paltry percentage of what it's worth to the Kamakas. The 'āina is worth more than any sum of money. This family wants their land back, and cleared as

promised by Unele Sam. Enough is enough! You need insult us no more! Shame on those who overthrew our Queen. You continue to abuse us! Moanike'ala Akaka OHA Tmstee, Hawai'i To the editor: On a recent talk show the subject was whether the military should give back Bellows Field to its rightful owners. Most callers were malihini and definitely miseducated and insensitive to the Hawaiians' plight. I was shocked and angry listening to their biased reasonings. How ean the federal govemment "give back" what they don't own? The illegal transfer of Hawaiian land by executive order to the military without approval and without

paying a dime for its use is a breach of tmst. This is outright fraud and thievery by almighty America. What shame! In 1937 the military acquired Mōkapu for a song. The U.S. condemned the area and paid roughly $2 million to its inhabitants. My family and so many other Hawaiian families were forced to give up this bountiful fishing and land area, set at unfair prices to make way for Kāne'ohe Marine Corps Air Station. I'm still sore about this great loss to our family. How mueh more does the U.S. want from us? Let's face it, we are an occupied country. Enough is enough! It's time they start retuming what is not theirs. Paul D. Lemke Kapa'a, Kaua'i