Charter of the Hawaii Kupuna Council (Elderly Council Advisory)

Charter of the Hawai‘i Kupuna Council (HKC)
Hawai‘i’s Humanitarian Council
 Ratified under the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS)
 Date: October 23, 2025

 
Preamble
We, the Kupuna of the Hawaiian Kingdom, in the spirit of aloha and kuleana, do hereby establish the Hawai‘i Kupuna Council (HKC) as the supreme humanitarian and cultural advisory body of the Hawaiian Kingdom, operating under the Charter and authority of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS).

Recognizing the sacred duty of the Kupuna to preserve life, protect the people, uphold truth, and perpetuate the laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom and international humanitarian standards, this Council exists to serve as the moral, cultural, and humanitarian compass for all national operations conducted under the OHS and the Hawaiian Kingdom in continuity.

 
Article I – Authority & Jurisdiction
Section 1.
 The Hawai‘i Kupuna Council derives its lawful authority from:

The Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom (1864);

The Compiled Laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom (1884);

The continuing sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom under international law;

The Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS) Governing Charter (2025);

The inherent kuleana of Kupuna as cultural and spiritual guardians of the lāhui.

Section 2.
 This Council operates as the Humanitarian Advisory and Oversight Branch of OHS, ensuring that all OHS operations remain pono, lawful, and guided by compassion and cultural integrity.

 
Article II – Purpose and Mission
The Hawai‘i Kupuna Council is established to:

Provide spiritual and cultural guidance to the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS).

Serve as the Humanitarian Oversight Body ensuring that all actions taken under the OHS and its divisions adhere to Hawaiian values, the Geneva Conventions, and customary international law.

Advocate for the protection and welfare of Hawaiian Subjects, particularly elders, children, and those unlawfully confined or displaced.

Preserve the integrity of kupuna knowledge, genealogies, and oral traditions within lawful archives.

Represent the conscience of the nation in all matters of justice, diplomacy, and repatriation.

 
Article III – Structure and Leadership
Section 1. Composition of the Council

The Hawai‘i Kupuna Council shall be composed of no fewer than seven (7) Kupuna, each recognized by the community for their wisdom, integrity, and long-standing service to the Hawaiian people.

Section 2. Officers

President – Kupuna Kahilihiwa

Presides over all meetings of the Council.

Represents the Council in all humanitarian and cultural matters.

Oversees moral and spiritual directives guiding the OHS.

Signs all official proclamations and humanitarian advisories.

Vice President – Kupuna Waine‘e

Assists the President in all duties.

Acts as President in their absence.

Oversees inter-council communications and coordination with OHS Divisions.

Secretary of Records – Kupuna Keli‘i

Maintains all official minutes, proclamations, and advisory documents.

Manages the Kupuna Council Seal.

Coordinates with the OHS Archivist for lawful storage and publication.

Humanitarian Affairs Officer – Kupuna Maka‘ala

Oversees the humanitarian response of the Council.

Liaises with the OHS Protection & Welfare Unit.

Reviews and approves recommendations for detainee and family relief petitions.

Cultural & Genealogical Officer – Kupuna Lehua

Ensures all decisions are culturally aligned.

Oversees genealogical preservation and ceremonies of recognition.

Advises OHS on cultural protocols in legal and diplomatic engagements.

Education & Outreach Officer – Kupuna Nakoa

Directs educational outreach, workshops, and community engagement.

Develops training materials on Kingdom law, kupuna care, and cultural conduct.

Works with the OHS Community Outreach Division.

International Humanitarian Liaison – Kupuna Kealoha

Acts as delegate to international humanitarian and cultural bodies.

Coordinates with the ICC, UN-OHCHR, and other partner organizations.

Ensures Kupuna Council advisories are included in OHS international reports.

 
Article IV – Duties of the Council
Humanitarian Oversight:
 Review and approve all humanitarian initiatives, detainee petitions, and subject welfare reports before submission to international bodies.

Cultural Safeguarding:
 Protect the integrity of Hawaiian cultural practices, ceremonies, and kupuna knowledge within OHS operations.

Accountability:
 Ensure that no OHS division acts contrary to Hawaiian Kingdom law, cultural protocol, or the Geneva Conventions.

Conflict Resolution:
 Serve as the moral mediators in internal OHS disputes and community grievances.

Elder Advocacy:
 Maintain a network of Kupuna Advocates to assist families, elders, and incarcerated subjects with lawful representation and protection.

Annual Kupuna Report:
 Submit a formal Kupuna Report on Humanitarian Affairs each year to the OHS Director and the Council of Regency.

 
Article V – Meetings and Decision-Making
The Council shall meet quarterly, or in emergency humanitarian sessions when called by the President or Vice President.

Decisions shall be made by consensus whenever possible; otherwise, by a majority vote of those present.

All proceedings shall be documented, sealed, and archived.

 
Article VI – Relationship to OHS
The Hawai‘i Kupuna Council shall:

Operate under the umbrella of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects as its Humanitarian Advisory Council.

Possess the right to issue binding humanitarian recommendations to the OHS Executive Leadership.

Maintain independent moral and cultural authority separate from administrative OHS divisions.

Be consulted before the issuance of any international humanitarian complaint, rescue directive, or cultural proclamation.

 
Article VII – Ratification and Seal
This Charter was duly ratified and entered into record under the authority of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS) and the continuing Hawaiian Kingdom on this 23rd day of October, 2025.

 

Kupuna Kahilihiwa
 President, Hawai‘i Kupuna Council

 

Kupuna Waine‘e
 Vice President, Hawai‘i Kupuna Council

 

Witnessed & Certified:
 Chief Kawika Kala‘i, Director – Office of Hawaiian Subjects
 Seal: OHS Charter Archive, 2025

Hawaii Kupuna Council Charter

Ministry of Hawaiian Subjects & Humanitarian Affairs
Charter of Recognition and Establishment of the Hawai‘i Kupuna Council – Hawai‘i’s Humanitarian Council
Preamble:
Whereas the dignity, wisdom, and continued welfare of the Kupuna (Elders) of the Hawaiian Nation remain sacred obligations of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and whereas the lawful continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom endures under the Laws of Nations, the Ministry of Hawaiian Subjects & Humanitarian Affairs, acting for and on behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS), hereby recognizes and charters the Hawai‘i Kupuna Council – Hawai‘i’s Humanitarian Council as a lawful humanitarian and advisory body.

Article I – Establishment & Authority

This Charter is issued by the Ministry of Hawaiian Subjects & Humanitarian Affairs under authority of the Hawaiian Kingdom Laws & International Laws. The Council shall function as a Humanitarian and Advisory Council recognized under Hawaiian Kingdom and International Humanitarian Law.

Article II – Purpose & Objectives

To safeguard the welfare, dignity, and cultural integrity of Kupuna.
To serve as an advisory body for OHS and humanitarian observers regarding the welfare of Kupuna in occupied Hawai‘i.
To uphold and transmit the cultural, ethical, and customary teachings of the Kupuna.
To provide humanitarian relief, counsel, and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Article III – Composition

The Council shall consist of verified Kupuna of Hawaiian Subject status or recognized elders residing in Hawai‘i.
The Council shall include representatives from each island district, nominated by their local communities.
A Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be chosen by majority consensus of the Council.
Article IV – Powers and Functions

Issue advisories, humanitarian reports, and cultural guidance to OHS and humanitarian bodies.
Review and endorse OHS humanitarian policies and elder-protection measures.
Serve as an impartial forum for cultural and social dispute mediation.
Maintain a registry of Kupuna advocates and volunteers.
Article V – Recognition & Protections

The Council and its members are recognized under Geneva Convention IV (1949) as Protected Persons engaged in humanitarian function.
The Council shall enjoy non-interference and protection in accordance with the laws of occupation and international humanitarian law.
Any act obstructing the Council’s work shall constitute an interference with humanitarian operations under international law.
Article VI – Duration & Ratification

This Charter shall take effect upon issuance and remain in force until the lawful restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government, whereupon its recognition shall be transferred to the proper ministry.

Issued by: Ministry of Hawaiian Subjects & Humanitarian Affairs
For and on behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS)
Under Authority of the Hawaiian Kingdom Laws & International Laws.

Issued this 23 October 2025, at Hilo, Island of Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Kingdom.

Kawika Kala‘i

Signed /seal/    

Minister of OHS Affairs

                                             

 Arthur K Damasco 

 Signed /seal/  

Deputy Minister

Sheldon Waipa

 Signed /seal/  

Council Minister

Miki Thompson 

 Signed /seal/  

Council Minister

Under Authority of the Hawaiian Kingdom Laws & International Laws

CERTIFICATE OF ISSUE
OHS Charter Registry – Ministry of Hawaiian Subjects & Humanitarian Affairs
Verified by the OHS Registrar
Filed under the Hawaiian Kingdom Continuity Records
Reference Number: OHS-CHARTER-HKC-2025-667

Under Authority of the Hawaiian Kingdom Laws & International Laws