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CONTACT
US
Kyle Kajihiro
Program Director
kkajihiro@afsc.org
Mohala
Aiu
Program Coordinator
mohala@afsc.org
Robin
Nussbaum
Gay Liberation Program Coordinator
gaylib@afsc.org
Tel:
808-988-2184
2426 O'ahu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: 808-988-6266
Fax: 808-988-4876
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Hawai'i
Area Program
AFSC work in Hawai'i began in 1942 with a program of service to Japanese
residents suffering persecution after the Pearl Harbor bombing. Friends'
opposition to the Vietnam War led to initiation of the present program
in 1968. The Hawai'i Program offers grassroots, social analysis-based
economic workshops. Advocacy work is initiated by others and focuses almost
exclusively on state public policy affecting "welfare."
AFSC's focus is to assure that state policies bridge work and welfare.
In 1996, collaborative work between the STRENGTH Coalition, Honolulu Friends
Meeting, and the Committee on Welfare Concerns resulted in state legislation
with less negative long-term impact on the poor.
Also,
AFSC gained recognition among peers, Department of Human Services, and
selected state legislators as a credible advocate. In addition, the program
has compiled and distributed packets of information about Hawai'i and
provided these through AFSC-sponsored educational workshops.
Demilitarization
Program (Honolulu, Hawai'i):
The program examines the political, economic, and social role of the military
in Hawai'i and advocates for the return of lands to Hawaiians. There is
a unique focus on educating the general public on the extent, costs, and
purpose of the military presence in Hawai'i. Actions involve a direct
presence on military lands (i.e., picnics, hikes, caravans) and are repeated
annually. Deliberate choice for innovative, popular education methods
of presentation, making material accessible to the general public.
Accomplishments include
coalition with community to successfully halt open burn and open detonation
of military waste in Makua Valley, annual car caravan conducting educational
programs at military sites, alternative July 4th observance, and picnic
at Bellows Beach (Air Force recreation facility); increased discussion
of alternative land uses in media and general public, recognition of AFSC
as an alternative voice to the military's presence by media and academics.
We focus on military destruction of land/environment and percentage of
military lands withdrawn from ceded lands trust. AFSC-Hawai'i materials
are used by academics, peace, and sovereignty groups.
Same-Gender
Marriage Advocacy:
To date the purpose of the program has been to support plaintiffs in a
landmark court case challenging State prohibition of same-gender marriage
and to participate in legislative hearings on the subject. As a non-Hawaiian/Quaker
organization, AFSC has worked with Na Mamo, a local organization for gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Hawaiians, to discuss Hawai'i's tradition
of diversity and openness to diverse relationships among Pacific cultures
as a value to be perpetuated.
Hawaiian
Sovereignty Program (Honolulu, Hawai'i):
AFSC is the first non-Hawaiian organization to take a public stand in
support of self-determination. One of a few organizations working as a
bridge between non-Hawaiian and kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian) communities
through educational workshops, presence and participation in actions,
activities, press conferences, called by na kanaka maoli.
Our book, He A lo
Ahe Alo (Hawaiian Voices on Sovereignty) and national speaking tour have
been strategies to bring attention to the sovereignty movement nationally.
Parallel work on demilitarization is unique in the State.
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