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by Ann Botticelli
Hawaiian sovereignty activist Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele came out
of four months of federal incarceration yesterday, hinting that he will
soften his hard-line stance for Hawaiian independence and work with opposing
sovereignty groups.
"It's almost as if this incarceration has made me be very considerate
for every Hawaiian's rights, their views, whether it be mainstream or grass-roots,"
said Kanahele, 41, who said he'd unveil some "surprises" at a
news conference this morning.
Kanahele said his detention may have brought about an end to the factionalism
that's plagued the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
"This is not about Bumpy. It was just an instrument in probably getting
us all put together and I think that's going to happen," Kanahele said.
"We have a foundation now, to start from."
Kanahele, wearing a purple T-shirt, blue jeans and blinding white running
shoes, walked out of federal court after posting a $50,00 signature bond.
His family and supporters greeted him with leis and a Hawaiian takeout lunch.
Federal Judge David Ezra ruled Monday that Kanahele could stay at Miller
Hale halfway house on the slopes of Punchbowl while awaiting a second trial
in January. He is charged with harboring convicted tax protester Nathan
Brown and allegedly thwarting two attempts to arrest Brown last year.
Kanahele was held without bail since his arrest Aug. 2. He stood trial on
the charges last month, but a mistrial was declared over the jury's deadlock
and one juror's misconduct.
At Monday's hearing, Hawaiian leaders with opposing views on sovereignty
supported Kanahele's release, saying he is neither a danger to the community
nor a flight risk.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Kinau'u Kamali'i and OHA staff member
Linda Delaney each lent Kanahele $1,000 to cover a month's worth of expenses
at Miller Hale. Judge Ezra said yesterday he hopes a federally funded room
will become available by them.
Under Ezra's ruling, Kanahele must stay nights at Miller Hale.
Kanahele is free to travel about Oahu during the day--but he will not be
allowed to set foot in Waimanalo, where he has a family homestead and where
supporters of the self-proclaimed Nation of Hawaii have established a settlement.
"My heart's sore from not going back (to Waimanalo), but it's worth
it," Kanahele said. "Waimanalo is in my heart. It ain't ever going
away."
When asked if he still rejects U.S. jurisdiction over his nation, Kanahele
deferred to his attorney, Hayden Aluli.
Aluli said his client reserves the right to challenge the federal court's
jurisdiction at any time, but will abide by Ezra's order that he return
to face trail in January.
"I gotta," Kanahele agreed. "I gotta."
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