The Role of an OHS Liaison

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**The Role of an OHS Liaison:
The Bridge Between Hawaiian Subjects, Kupuna, and the Humanitarian Tribunal**

Across the Hawaiian Kingdom’s continuity framework, the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS) plays a vital role in protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of Hawaiian Subjects. At the center of this work are the OHS Liaisons—the individuals who act as the bridge between the people, the Kupuna Council, and the Hawai‘i Kupuna Humanitarian Tribunal (HKHT).

An OHS Liaison is not simply a messenger.
They are a cultural advocate, a humanitarian field officer, and a protector of communication pathways for those who may be unheard or vulnerable. Their role is rooted in kuleana: responsibility to serve with aloha, respect, and unwavering integrity.

Here is what an OHS Liaison truly does.

 
🌈 1. They Serve as the First Point of Contact for Hawaiian Subjects
Many Subjects who reach out to OHS are:

experiencing harm,
facing confinement,
dealing with cultural distress,
or needing clarity about their rights and identity.
The OHS Liaison listens first.
Kupuna say:

“Listening is the first act of protection.”
The Liaison gathers the individual’s concerns with compassion and accuracy, ensuring their voice is properly documented and respectfully delivered to the Kupuna Council.

 
🌺 2. They Conduct Preliminary Intake & Case Preparation
An OHS Liaison:

receives testimonies, letters, or reports
organizes relevant documents
verifies Hawaiian Subject status
prepares a clear summary for Kupuna review
This ensures that by the time a case reaches the Tribunal, kupuna have:

a clear narrative,
properly organized materials,
and full cultural context.
The Liaison turns confusion into clarity.

 
🌺 3. They Facilitate Communication With the Tribunal
Liaisons maintain the communication flow between:

the Subject (or their family),
OHS leadership,
Kupuna Council,
HKHT documentation teams,
and sometimes outside institutions.
They ensure that nothing is lost, delayed, or misunderstood.
In humanitarian work, clear communication can prevent further cultural or emotional harm.

 
🌺 4. They Safeguard Cultural Integrity
The work of OHS is not transactional—it is cultural.
An OHS Liaison must:

uphold Hawaiian values
protect the dignity of every Subject
ensure communication is culturally accurate
honor kupuna protocol
maintain respect in every interaction
The Liaison becomes the cultural spine that supports every part of the process.

 
🌺 5. They Deliver Notices to Foreign Agencies With Diplomacy and Clarity
While OHS operates under Hawaiian Kingdom law and humanitarian principles, many cases involve communication with the foreign administration known as the “State of Hawai‘i.”

The Liaison ensures that all correspondence is delivered:

professionally,
respectfully,
clearly,
and in a non-adversarial manner.
Their task is to inform, not confront.
To document, not accuse.
To protect, not punish.

 
🌺 6. They Monitor Responses, Non-Responses, and Harm Conditions
This is one of the most important responsibilities.

The OHS Liaison tracks:

whether an agency responds,
whether they refuse to respond,
whether harm to the Subject is increasing or easing,
whether further kupuna review is needed.
Silence from agencies is recorded as humanitarian concern—not adversarial defiance.

The Liaison ensures that kupuna have real-time understanding of the Subject’s evolving situation.

 
🌺 7. They Prepare Escalation Requests for Kupuna & OHS Leadership
If a case requires higher-level review, the Liaison:

prepares escalation briefs
provides cultural summaries
drafts humanitarian impact descriptions
assists in compiling Tribunal Findings
helps draft protection notices or advisories
Their role is supportive but essential, ensuring kupuna have all needed information to issue pono guidance.

 
🌺 8. They Provide Emotional and Cultural Support to Hawaiian Subjects
Many Subjects feel:

stressed,
scared,
unheard,
or overwhelmed.
An OHS Liaison offers:

reassurance
cultural grounding
clarity on process
understanding of kupuna review
compassion
They remind Subjects that:

“You are not alone. The kupuna are with you.”
This reassurance can be lifesaving.

 
🌺 9. They Maintain Confidentiality and Integrity
OHS Liaisons handle sensitive information.
Their duty is to:

protect privacy,
safeguard cultural dignity,
maintain strict confidentiality,
and follow humanitarian ethics at all times.
Every word they share must honor both kupuna and the Subject.

 
🌺 10. They Represent the Kingdom With Aloha and Pono
Even without political or punitive power, the OHS Liaison carries a powerful presence:

they uphold Hawaiian Kingdom continuity
they embody kupuna values
they demonstrate integrity in action
they create cultural legitimacy wherever they go
Their work builds trust between Hawaiian Subjects and the institutions that seek to serve them.

 
⭐ Conclusion: The OHS Liaison Is the Heartbeat of the Humanitarian Process
Kupuna say:

“The bridge is sacred, for it carries life between two shores.”
The OHS Liaison is that bridge—connecting:

the people to the kupuna,
suffering to healing,
silence to voice,
confusion to clarity,
harm to protection.
Without the Liaison, the humanitarian process could not move forward.
With them, Hawaiian Subjects gain dignity, recognition, and a path toward healing.