By VALERIE MONSON
Staff Writer

WAILUKU -- The winners in the controversial Ha Hawai'i election were announced Wednesday and some of the nine Maui County delegates selected were already encouraging all Hawaiians and sovereignty groups to participate in the upcoming discussions.

''Ha Hawai'i was the only canoe going and we might as well try to paddle,'' said Kehaulani Filimoe'atu, one of two Wailuku residents who will represent that district. ''I've never seen this process as being exclusive. I see my role now as working for the people.''

Maui County's delegates and their districts are: State Rep. Sol P. Kaho'ohalahala and Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr., at-large; the Rev. Clarence K. Kamai Sr., and Filimoe'atu, Wailuku; Daisy Lind, Hana; Joseph K. Kanahuna, Makawao; Mary Helen Lindsey, Lahaina; Jeanette L. Kahalehoe, Molokai; and Gaylien K. Kaho'ohalahala Sr., Lanai, who is Sol's brother.

While those contacted were thankful for the support they received, there was also general disappointment expressed at the poor statewide turnout. Only 8,867 ballots -- less than 10 percent of the 101,951 Native Hawaiians eligible -- were cast at polls Jan. 17, the 106th anniversary of the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani. In fact, eight of the 85 statewide positions weren't filled because no candidates even ran in those districts.

''We were hoping it would be larger,'' said Kaipo Kincaid, executive director of Ha Hawai'i, the nonprofit organization that was loudly criticized by sovereignty groups because of its connection to the state. ''But we believe the voters (who participated) really represent the largest sovereignty initiative in the state . . . We feel this is a solid sovereignty initiative.''

But some saw the poor turnout as a big reason why Ha Hawai'i must now include voices from other sovereignty groups or, most likely, fail.

''How can we as candidates come out with any kind of recommendations with such small participation?'' said Maxwell, a cultural consultant and longtime community leader. ''We have to have participation by all the groups that were against the process.''

From vote totals, it appeared that only 1,361 Hawaiians cast ballots on Maui, more than 10 percent of those eligible, but still far short of what organizers had aimed for.

Maxwell admitted that when he decided to run for a seat, he also objected to the whole idea of a convention because the election was ''too hastily put together'' and neglected to fully inform voters what it was all about or who the candidates were.

But now that the results are in, Maxwell hopes community gatherings can take place to better educate Hawaiians about self-governance, promote more discussion and unite the community rather than divide it even further.

''I can see something really fruitful coming out of this,'' he said.

Daisy Lind, a kupuna from Hana, echoed the comments of Maxwell and Filimoe'atu.

''This is the best opportunity that all of us can come together,'' she said, adding that she hopes all Hawaiians -- even those who normally shy away from sharing their feelings in public -- will let the delegates know their opinions.

''We need to have your input,'' she said.

Ha Hawai'i was the group that replaced the state-appointed Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council two years ago after a vote by mail was taken asking Hawaiians if they should hold elections to choose delegates to propose a Hawaiian government. Even that process was controversial because only 37 percent of the 80,000 ballots sent out were returned.

Many boycotted that election for the same reason that many stayed away from the polls Jan. 17: They felt that the state -- not the Hawaiian people -- would exert final control.

Kincaid said the next step involves bringing the delegates together for an informational meeting to discuss leadership, rules of procedure and other issues. Delegates also will have to decide how to fill the eight vacancies -- three on the Big Island, where barely 5 percent of those eligible participated, and five on Oahu, which attracted less than 1 percent of registered voters.

A convention, hopes Kincaid, will take place sometime this summer.

The election cost Ha Hawai'i $100,000, and the group faces immediate financial problems. Because the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other organizations have not acted upon grant requests from Ha Hawai'i, there isn't even enough money at the moment to fund a convention. Kincaid said she was confident that supporters on Maui and Kauai could raise funds for their delegates and that other monies would come through. She also hoped that OHA would respond to a petition circulated at a meeting last weekend that encouraged trustees to release $1.9 million to Ha Hawai'i. Organizers estimate they need $1.5 million to fund a convention.

Filimoe'atu, a founding member of the Native Hawaiian community development organization on Maui called Na Po'e Kokua, said delegates must realize that their responsibility now is to represent the people and not promote their personal agendas. She also felt the election provided a good cross section of Hawaiian leaders. Other high-profile winners include grass-roots community organizer Dennis ''Bumpy'' Kanahele; Hoaliku Drake, former chair of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; former Bishop Estate trustee Myron ''Pinky'' Thompson; attorney and former OHA trustee Pokalaenui (Hayden) Burgess and Mahealani Kamauu of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp.

''I think we've got a pretty wide range of people with experience and expertise of working with the system and with the issues,'' said Filimoe'atu. ''This is history in the making.''

Maui County results

(Voters could select a total of nine)

At-large delegates (top two elected)

Kaho'ohalahala, Sol P. -- 612

Maxwell, Charles Kauluwehi -- 474

Kama, Natalie A. (Tasha) -- 298

Ritte, Walter -- 260

Uweko'olani, Moanaliha -- 209

Sousa, Keoki -- 194

Correa, Eloise (Kaulana) -- 191

Keliikoa, Glen K.H. -- 88

Naki, Leimana Kaiwi -- 84

Total Votes Cast -- 2,722

Number of under votes -- 254

Number of over votes -- 58

District delegates:

Hana (one elected)

Lind, Daisy M. -- 1,136

Total votes cast -- 1,361

Number of under votes -- 225

Number of over votes -- 0

Wailuku (two elected)

Kamai, Clarence K., Sr. -- 809

Filimoe'atu, Kehaulani -- 504

Pahia, Robert (Bobby) -- 335

Ki'ili, Keoki M. (Abihai) -- 321

Total votes cast -- 2,722

Number of under votes -- 749

Number of over votes -- 4

Makawao (one elected):

Kanahuna, Joseph K. -- 487

Feiteira, Blossom P. -- 452

Kaimiola, George M. -- 286

Total votes cast -- 1,361

Number of under votes -- 130

Number of over votes -- 6

Lahaina (one elected):

Lindsey, Mary Helen -- 691

Waiohu, William, Jr. -- 549

Total votes cast -- 1,361

Number of under votes -- 120

Number of over votes -- 1

Molokai, Kalawao (one elected):

Kahalehoe, Jeanette L. -- 718

Ramos, Martin Kaipo -- 269

Harris, Alberta L. (Bert) -- 224

Total votes cast -- 1,361

Number of under votes -- 147

Number of over votes -- 3

Lanai (one elected):

Kaho'ohalahala, Gaylien K., Sr. -- 1,167

Total votes cast -- 1,361

Number of under votes -- 194

Number of over votes -- 0

List of other elected delegates

Oahu (46 elected, five vacancies) -- M. Momi W. Cazimero, Louis K. (Buzzy) Agard, Charles (Kale Loke) Rose, H.K. Bruss Keppeler, Myron (Pinky) Thompson, Roy Ilikea Benham, Daniel K. Naho'opi'i, David Donn Maika'i Hana'ike, Peggy K. Ha'o-Ross, Elmer Ka'ilikole Ka'ai Jr., Mahealani Kamauu, Keala Carpenter Carpenter, Sesnita A.D. Moepono, L. Lehua Bongo, Keli'i Ching, Kauila Clark, Glenn J. Oamilda, Lela Malina Hubbard, Kanani Leigh Akaka, Glen Makakaualii Kila, Hoaliku L. Drake, Poka Laenui (Hayden Burgess), Clarence Ha'o Kupahu De Lude.

Also, Kamaki A. Kanahele, Tony Lenchanko, Herbert Hew Len, Michael H. Hikalea Jr., Ululani D. Beirne, James K. Woolsey Jr., Dawn Kahalaomapuana Wasson, Ian Nui Chun, Allan L.K. Mokuau, Larry Joy Kiyohiro, James L. Awai Jr., Kunani Nihipali, Melvin Kalahiki, Ikaika M. L. Hussey, Dennis (Bumpy) Kanahele, Norman E.P. Aweau, Kelikokauaikekai R. Hoe, Jimmy K. Wong, Solomon D.K. Nalua'i, Keoni Kealoha Agard, Liz Ho'oipo Nakea Pa Martin, Leona Mapuana Kalima, Michael Hale Hikalea.

Kauai and Niihau (6 elected) -- Cathy Kalehua Ham Young, Henry E. Smith Jr., Liberta Lilia Hussey Albao, Kai'opua Fyfe, Christobel Kauahi Kealoha, Judy Naumu-Stewart.

Big Island (9 elected, 3 vacancies) -- Lani L. Bowman, Walter Victor Jr., Ruby P. Keanaaina-McDonald, Becky Kawaihae-Rodriguez, Joseph Kamae Ha'o, Bernie Akoni Wendekier, Kaliko Chun, Jimmy (Kalaeone-Paoa) Clark, Reynolds N. Kamakawiwoole.Mainland and Alaska kama'aina (7 elected) -- Dolly Keahiolalo Crawford, David R. West, Reidar Ku'uipo Smith, Chalmers L. Akima, Victor Kaiwi Pang, Dana J. Kehaulani Wong, Mahealani B. Shellabarger.

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