THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS FEDERAL RECOGNITION FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS AS DEAD -
Senator Says Akaka Bill Would Cause Racial Conflict
By Ron Staton - The Associated Press
HONOLULU - The Native Hawaiian recognition bill is 'a recipe for permanent racial conflict,' says a senator who is opposed to a bill that has the support of Hawaii's Democratic senators and Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.
Sen. John Kyl, who's been identified as the senator who has put a hold on the bill, explained his opposition in a letter addressing his concerns. The Arizona Republican says the measure named for Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, 'would violate the United States Constitution and create a divisive and unworkable system of government.'
'Persons of different races, who live together in the same society, would be subject to different legal codes, Kyl maintains. 'This would not produce racial reconciliation in Hawaii. Instead, it is a recipe for permanent racial conflict.'
Kai'opua Fyfe and 'Ehu Cardwell of the Kauai-based Koani Foundation told The Associated Press that during a recent visit to Washington they met with aides to Kyl, Senate President Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. All agreed that the bill, commonly known as the Akaka bill, won't be approved this year, according to Fyfe and Cardwell.
Senate rules give individual senators the power to hold up any bill. Fyfe said the group was told that Frist has no intention of scheduling the bill even if the hold were lifted, and that McCain, chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, does not support it."
