Below is a joint statement issued by the Intervention of the Indigenous World Association, Na Koa Ikaika o ka Lahui Hawaii, Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club, Ilioulaokalani Coalition, Ka Lahui Hawaii, and Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, on behalf of UNPO members in Kalahui Hawaii, to the Sixth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held from 14-25 May 2007 in New York.

Joint Statement by: 

Intervention of the Indigenous World Association, Na Ko Ikaika o ka Lahui Hawaii, Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club, Ilioulaokalani Coalition, Ka Lahui Hawaii, and Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies

 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
United Nations Headquarters
New York
17 May, 2007

Recommendations

1. The UNPFII adopt the recommendations in the report of the Special Rapporteur on Oil Palm and other Commercial Tree Plantations, Monocropping: Impacts on Indigenous Peoples' Land Tenure and Resource Management Systems and Livelihoods
(C/C.19/2007/CRP.6- 7 May 2007).

2. The UNPFII conduct a study on best practices of Indigenous Peoples, States and NGOs relating to the sustainable management of lands, territories, and resources.

Justification

Recommendation #1
We congratulate and thank the chair for her excellent report entitled Oil Palm and other Commercial Tree Plantations, Monocropping: Impacts on Indigenous Peoples' Land Tenure and Resource Management Systems and Livelihoods (C/C. 19/2007/CRP.6- 7 May 2007) We strongly support recommendations in paragraphs 67 and 68 calling for the establishment of a special body under the auspices of the Forum to monitor how policies relevant to indigenous peoples and lands, territories, and resources are being implemented by private sector, governments, and intergovernmental bodies and to investigate complaints raised by indigenous peoples on logging and plantation operations taking place in indigenous territories.

We request that the Forum experts and the Special Rapporteurs specifically include and make reference to the impact of the EU Biofuels Directive (2003) and the U.S. policy relating to bioethanol as set forth in the State of the Nation address of President Bush (Feb 2006).

U.S. policies relating to ethanol are fueling an effort in Hawaii, Argentina, and Brazil to support the growing of genetically modified crops for biodiesel and ethanol. In Hawaii GMO contamination of food crops (papaya, etc) has become a significant controversy. We have recently become aware of an effort to rehabilitate sugar plantations on the islands of Maui and Hawaii for ethanol production. Evidence now available on the internet documents significant threats to boaters using ethanol. On the U.S. continent 5 persons have been killed due to explosives caused by ethanol in boat engines. Last month a similar explosion occurred resulting in critical injury to two people. The Hawaiian islands taken by U.S. sugar barons in the 1800's are now being restored for ethanol production. These are stolen indigenous lands that should be restored to Kanaka Maoli.

Recommendation #2
We are also recommending that the Forum authorize and undertake a study on Best Practices of Indigenous Peoples, States and NGOs relating to the sustainable use and management of lands, territories, and resources.

As we seek solutions to the issue of sustainable economic development we need to inform ourselves of creative initiatives being pursued by indigenous peoples and States that are providing models and practices which work. In the Pacific, in Fiji, and Milolii, Hawaii indigenous peoples are proving that traditional approaches and modern science can work together to restore and protect inshore marine resources. This model has been recognized by the IUCN and other environmental NGOs as a global prototype for marine resource management. There are other success stories we can learn from- this is why we need a Forum study on Best Practices of Indigenous Peoples and States relating to the sustainable use and management of lands, territories, and resources.

Thank you Madame Chair.