HAWAIIANS DEMAND OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO RESCIND AKAKA BILL SUPPORT
OHA Supports The Bill OnlyTo Protect Their Own Paychecks
The Honolulu Advertiser - Thursday, October 6, 2005
By James Gonser
A group of Native Hawaiians opposed to the Akaka Bill today asked the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to rescind their support for the bill or it would stage a non-violent protest by occupying the Board of Trustee's office for 24 hours.
Ikaika Hussey, a member of Hui Pu, read a four-page statement to the OHA board at its regular meeting today saying amendments recently proposed for to the bill make its passage "more dangerous than beneficial to our Hawaiian community."
Thirteen Hui Pu members dressed in black stood behind Hussey as he testified....
Board chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said the amendments are only proposed and not finalized.
She said the board continues to support the bill and could not take a vote on changing its stand even if members wanted to because it was not on the agenda for the meeting.
If the group does stay in the building at 711 Kapi'olani Boulevard, it will be up to the OHA administrator to make a decision on evicting them or not, Apoliona said.
