Hawaiian rights activist Dennis Pu'uhonua "Bumpy" Kanahele is gaining support for a proposed Native Hawaiian constitutional convention aimed at unifying the historically fractured Hawaiian independence movement.

A Native Hawaiian convention would be separate from a ballot issue in November asking voters whe-ther they want a convention to amend the state Constitution.

A Native Hawaiian concon was supported yesterday by several members of Native Hawaiian organizations, including the Kanaka Maoli Tribunal Komike, the Kaua'i-based Koani Foundation and Hui Pu, an umbrella organization of various independence organizations.

The Hawaiian Kingdom Government, which is occupying the mauka lawn of 'Iolani Palace and "conducting business" there as its first step toward reclaiming Hawai'i from the U.S., also supports the intent of a constitutional convention, said spokes-man Orrin Kupau.

Kanahele said a petition drive to gather supporters for a Native Hawaiian concon has drawn more than 20,000 signatures.

Kanahele, leader of the Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Hawaii (Nation of Hawaii), said the constitutional convention would create a "free, fair and impartial process" for sovereignty advocates to discuss how they can collectively move forward.