As an ecumenical faith based support organization of prisoners of conscience or political prisoners in the United States, we as Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project extend our support to the Honorable Pu`uhonua B. Kanahele. We define a political prisoner or a prisoner of conscience as a person imprisoned - awaiting trial, serving a sentence, or held without trial - for reason of acts, associations or beliefs based on a concern for justice and human rights.

We consider Mr. Kanahele's being charged with "harboring a fugitive" as a miscarriage of justice directed against one who is an advocate of Hawaiian sovereignty.

We join others in protesting the abuse of power by the government and pray for and seek Mr. Kanahele's release.

The Rev. S. Michael Yasutake, Director
Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project
Racial Justice Working Group
National Council of the Churches of Christ, U.S.A.

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