Text from Gov. Linda Lingle’s Speech, ‘Iolani Palace Unity Rally

August 8, 2005

Contributed by Thomas Yoshida

There are many issues that (the Lt. Governor and I) don't exactly see it the same way. But there are times, just as this time, where we are in exact alignment and we need to be in exact alignment today.

This decision by the Ninth Circuit was not a just decision.

I have heard many people give a legal analysis of the decision over the past few days. Many people who are very smart. They're educated in the law. They don't see the decision the same way. One to the next lawyer – they all have a different take on it. Some think it's more defensible than others, but regardless of the legal basis of this decision, this is not a just decision!

Usually when a politician comes before a gathering such as this, we come to try to use the emotion of a speech to bring you to our cause. This is a very different day. We are here to tell you, "We are here to support YOUR CAUSE."

For most of us, for most of our days, whether you're a governor, a student, a teacher, or a business person, for most of us, our lives are pretty regular. But there are a few days in our lives as individuals, just as there are a few days in our lives as a state, that are unexpected. That tests us. They test us as individuals to see what we're made of. And of course the Lord tests us. We know that. The Hawaiian people have been tested many, many times. And this is simply, although a difficult test, it is simply one more test that you will show that you will overcome.

I'm a person who always looks for something good in any situation. I can't help doing that. It's simply who I am. And we're talking a lot today about being who we are. And who I am is finding something good in even the most difficult situations. And the good to me in this situation, as a haole, as a non-Hawaiian, the good is obvious. And the reason I look for good in everything, besides being who I am, is because that is what a leader does. And every one of you at this rally today, you're a leader in our community. That's what brought you here today. And the obvious good is that it gave an opportunity for those of us who are not Hawaiian to thank the Hawaiian people for everything they've given us, for everything they've given to our state for being the heart and soul of Hawai'i. It allows us to stand with you today. And there are many people here who are not Hawaiian. You gave us the opportunity to say in public what we feel in our hearts: that we are a unique and special state because of you, the foundation of Hawai'i.

We look forward to the privilege of marching with you in a very short while. And to everyone in the Kamehameha Schools family, we thank you for the privilege to be with you today to stand with you and to let you know this is not about standing with you just today on a Saturday morning. We will stand with you forever.

Aloha.