KAUNAKAKAI, Molokai » The Native Hawaiian community on Molokai added its voice to the growing chorus of those who are rejecting a federal proposal that could lead to a formal U.S. relationship with a potential Native Hawaiian government.

More than 125 people attended a hearing at Kaunakakai Elementary School and the vast majority of the more than 40 people who testified offered a resounding repudiation of federal recognition.

"It has become painfully obvious from these hearings that those Hawaiian leaders who have called you here in hopes of protecting our entitlements and federal funding have done so without consulting their people," declared veteran Molokai activist Walter Ritte. "The majority is in no mood to continue a subservient relationship with the United States."

The hearing featured raised voices, anger and tears but, for the most part, audience members and speakers were courteous in contrast to last week’s Oahu hearings, which were punctuated by intimidating testimony, boos and jeers.

The same relatively cordial tone was seen at Friday’s hearing on Lanai, where about 50 people attended and a handful testified primarily against federal recognition.

With Saturday’s hearing, the Department of the Interior panel has reached the halfway point of its two-week, 15-meeting Hawaii tour in which it is asking whether the department should launch a rule-making process that could set the framework for re-establishing a government-to-government relationship with Native Hawaiians.

Eight more hearings remain in Hawaii, starting Monday night on Kauai. Additional meetings will be held in Native American communities on the mainland, and the department will take written comments well into August.

Attendance Saturday was said to be down due to conflicts that included the funeral of Kalaupapa mule tour operator Buzzy Sproat, a large wedding and a Punana Leo graduation.

But many of those who did come to the hearing took the opportunity to vent, often angrily, about the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, about stolen lands and injustices. Many said they didn’t want to settle for being an Indian tribe, and others said they were standing up on behalf of the deposed Hawaiian kingdom.

"I’m not an American," Hanohano Naehu declared repeatedly. He then turned to the panel and said: "Shame on you guys for perpetuating the illegality. Shame on you for perpetuating the fraud."

Kanoe Davis of Kaunakakai said Native Hawaiians need "clarity and truth" about the federal-recognition issue.

"How do we establish government-to-government when we are in fact supposed to be our own nation?" she said. "We’re settling for crumbs when we actually own the cookie."

Many who testified described the process as rushed and pushed forward without allowing those affected to examine the issues and formulate opinions.

Lynn DeCoite, a third-generation Hawaiian homesteader, blasted the department for not doing enough to inform and educate the community.

"In my opinion, you have put the cart before the horse," DeCoite said. "We should know the benefits beforehand and not create the government to find out the benefits later. It’s as if you, this department, has put a choke chain around our Hawaiian people. You guys keep us at arm’s length and try to use us as puppets."

Sam Kealoha, a third-generation Army veteran, raised his voice in frustration: "The river of justice may be flowing (for tribes on the mainland) but the river from mauka to makai — the free flow of justice, there is no water.

"You guys are getting beat up on every island," George Aiwohi told the panel. "But — you know what? — this is our chance to speak. We waited 121 years for this."

Not everyone spoke against federal recognition. Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli was one of the few who supported it, saying it would ensure federal funds are available to improve Native Hawaiian health.

"We need more resources," he said.

After the hearing, Colette Machado, Office of Hawaiian Affairs chairwoman and Molokai resident, said she was proud of the way her fellow Molokai islanders were respectful to the panel.

But Machado, who on Oahu described federal recognition as "essential" for securing funds for Native Hawaiian programs, conceded that there needs to be more education on the topic.