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Hawaiians differ There were strong opinions both for and against a bill that would give native Hawaiians a similar relationship with the federal government as native American Indians at a meeting last night in Waimanalo.
on Akaka bill
Strong opinions both for
and against the measure are
given at a Waimanalo meetingBy Leila Fujimori
Star-BulletinIn the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Rice vs. Cayetano, many federal programs and appropriations for native Hawaiians are in jeopardy of being eliminated, said Mahealani Kamau'u, a member of a working group set up by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who introduced the bill.
"The bill would protect us against those challenges, but it's not perfect," Kamau'u said. "It requires concessions."
Namaka Camara of Kaimuki objected to the use of the term "native people of the United States," saying, "We are a country unto ourselves . . . They have no business calling us Native Americans."
Only eight people attended last night's meeting at the Waimanalo Elementary School cafeteria. It is one of a series of meetings to explain the bill and gather the native Hawaiian community's thoughts on the legislation that was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House last month.
Rose Lenchanko of Waimanalo expressed concerns that many don't understand the process and won't participate.
But Na'u Kamali'i said, "The burden is not on the government to seek out Hawaiians; the burden is on the Hawaiian people to sign up under this process."
Waimanalo resident George Akeo, 76, said, "We have to get something in Congress that we can be recognized."
He said it took 34 years to get Hawaiian homestead lands after the overthrow of the monarchy and another 75 years until this bill.
"We're only fighting among ourselves. If we're gonna wait, we'll never get (recognition) and I may be gone."