Free Hawai`i

AKAKA BILL PASSAGE QUESTIONED AS OPPOSITION MOUNTS

Indian Country Today - April 7, 2010

WASHINGTON – The headline of a recent story on a Hawaiian news site proclaimed “Native Hawaiians Move Toward Sovereign Tribal Status: ‘Akaka Bill’ passed in House could be voted in Senate this month.”

But would it pass?...

In the latest action, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, an ardent Akaka Bill supporter, wrote to all 100 senators March 23, reaffirming her opposition to amendments introduced last December as House and Senate versions of the bill were prepared for committee action....

And it’s passionately opposed by some Kanaka Maoli – indigenous Hawaiians – who dream of restoring their country’s independence and self-determination.

“The Akaka Bill is a trap door that if accepted will slam shut and forever shut us off from ever reaching our goal for international self-determination and the protection of our future generations,” said Puanani Rogers, a member of Hui Pu, a coalition of Hawaiian nationalists.

“I am a proud grandmother of 15 grandchildren and I fear for their future if the Akaka Bill ever passes. If the AB should pass, I will never acknowledge it as law. It will take all of us to overthrow this grave crime of genocide this bill will inflict upon us.

"My message to others is that we raise our voices in unity and with a spiritual force that is undefeatable. We know who we are, we know where we come from and we know whose lands we live on.

"I will fight for our lands, fight for our people, fight for our freedom. America can try, but they will never take the truth away from us....”

Full Story HERE