HAWAIIANS TAKE OVER ROYAL PALACE TO PROTEST AKAKA BILL
"Senator Akaka Does Not Speak For Us," Is Cry
The Honolulu Advertiser - Wednesday, June 7, 2006
A group of nine people affiliated with the anti-Akaka bill organization Hui Pu made its way on to the second-floor balcony of Iolani Palace, the former seat of government for the hawaiian monarchy this morning.
The group, backed by about two dozen supporters on the ground, said it wants to "occupy" the palace in protest of the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act, which is now the subject of a cloture debate on the Senate floor in Washington, D.C.
Andre Perez, a Hui Pu member, said "[Hawai`i Governor] Linda Lingle does not speak for Hawaiians. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs does not speak for Hawaiians. [Senator] Dan Inouye does not speak for Hawaiians. Senator Akaka does not speak for Hawaiians. We speak for ourselves."
