Ceded Lands, Civil Unions, LIfe

Ceded Lands

It seems as if for as long as i can remember the state has done wrong by the native Hawaiian people, or native people in general. Yesterday, the highest court of the land heard 30 minute testimony from both OHA and the State of Hawaii regarding the monumental Ceded Lands. The decision on this case could affect up to 1/3 of the land in hawaii and all of the prgram focused towards benefiting native Hawaiians. I dont thik people understand how big this case really is, its not just about land. its about Kamehameha, healt hcare, Lunaliho homes, QLCC and many other programs targetted towards the betterment of NATIVE people. since both sides focused their arguments suround it, its looks as of the case will be decided based of the supreme courts interpretation of the 1993 apology bill signed by Bill Clinton stating that the 1893 overthrow and 1898 annexation were both immoral and invalid. All we can do as hawaiians now is hope and pray that for the first time since our existance we are done right by the United States of America.


Civil Unions(bill 444)

This past week the State Senate has also been hearing a case that would affect all of hawaii and parts of the Continental US. If Passed Same sex couples will be given the same legal rights as opposite sex married couples. As it stands, same sex couples lack many rights provided to the larger population. many arguments aggainst same sex marrige fight to protect the "sanctity" of marrige and its institution. However, a civil union is not a mirriege it is not recognized by the church and solely rest n the law. The US constitition clearly states a seperation of church and State; however, as it stand today a institution held and protected by the church denies many rights to citizens that sounds be held solely by the state. This is a case of human rights and is just as important as the right for female voting, black voting, anti segrigation ect. If the church wants to keep homosexuals out of its sacred halls then the church shoudl keeps its "sacred" hands out of the law.

LIFE


Life is good. i have been having lots of arthritis issues but i am okay. Duncan turned 21 on the 21st and i got to hang out with him at his party. duncan eventually got way to drunk and ended up puking on Jenna, poor thing. lol. but we took care of him and he turned out okay. also, in his drunkeness he told jenna "jamaica is the closest person to me in the world, as long as she is happy and smiling i am gonn love you... thats the only important thing..." i basically started crying.. lol. im glad my brother likes her.


Jenna is officially coming to hawaii in april with me. she arrives a day later and leaves like two days earlier but im REALLY excited :). my mo already loves her and my dad is jealous im bringing someone home cuz he said he wants to spend more time with me but he'll live.


besides that, things are good im getting ready for CUPSI (college slam nationals) and GSF (Hawaii GRand Slam Finals) and trying to stay focused in school. make sure to keep april 11th free if you are in hawaii to come support me for slam.. please :) oh, and i've been invited to a pre-screaning premire of the HBO doc in san fran march 9th so ill get to see it before it airs which is kinda cool.


wish me luck: today i compete for 300 dollars in the youth slam finals in oakland. im guarenteed to win at least 100 but it would be nice to come in first :)


love,
Jamaica