Although its author expresses optimism that the Akaka Bill will pass this year, the loss of the Democrats' supermajority in the Senate and last-minute changes to the bill that fueled objections in Hawaii may pose significant hurdles during this ninth try.
The measure that would grant native Hawaiians federal recognition like that of American Indian tribes was in some trouble even before Republican Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts ended the Democrats' filibuster-proof majority in the Senate....
...The Obama administration worried that special status bestowed on native Hawaiians may be overturned as illegal racial discrimination, given the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Rice v. Cayetano. But redefining native Hawaiians under existing federal law governing Indian tribes raised a host of issues barely aired in Hawaii under the bill's many previous incarnations....
...It's hard to imagine that the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act will be a high priority outside the Hawaii delegation in such a topsy-turvy political environment, and the lack of transparency surrounding the late changes in the Senate version may come to haunt its author.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
THE AKAKA BILL VS. A FREE HAWAI`I
The People Are Not Fooled
Big Island Weekly - September 16, 2009
"...That issue" was the Akaka Bill, which would set up a framework for creating a native Hawaiian governmental body that the U.S. would recognize....
...The Danners' presentation was repeatedly interrupted by sovereignty supporters who disagreed with the bill's language and/or content....
"...You're actually allowing the perpetuity of an illegal system," argued one sovereignty supporter.
"It's just another form of capture," said another of the Akaka Bill framework....
"It's as though you're creating a wholly separate government for a fictitious Hawaiian people," said Gumapac....
"...The people who are pushing this bill are trying to divide the Hawaiian people," contended Rev. Ron Fujimoto, a non-Hawaiian who has worked for years with Hawaiian groups....
The writer, as do many proponents, contends - "It is only possible to create an equitable, honorable and peaceful future for Hawaiians and those who support them" through the passage of S. 1011. The written facts prove otherwise.
Between the legalese, fancy play and placement of inspiring words in this bill, if passed by the United States Congress it will have manufactured the illusion Hawaiians are giving consent to the terms in this bill.
The "Native Hawaiians" in this bill are subject to the definition in The Hawaiian Homes Act of 1920, Section 201 - any descendant of not less than one-half part of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands previous to 1778.
Aside from the blood quantum language (genocidal), how come the United States government does not legally recognize the years and accomplishments after 1778? No matter how pleasant to our ears the Akaka Bill is played, it clearly resounds with false promises and racism....
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