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Akaka bill After a week of sometimes contentious testimony that tested the patience of Hawaii's congressional delegation, the focus on the Akaka bill this month shifts toward a review and passage by the appropriate U.S. Senate and House committees.
moves toward
review in Congress
Hawaii's Congressional delegation
Hee, Cayetano discuss OHA ruling
hopes the bill will pass before
lawmakers adjourn in early OctoberBy Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin"I'm still optimistic," said U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka. "We're on track. We're on time."
Akaka said the Senate Indian Affairs Committee has scheduled a Sept. 13 hearing on his bill, while U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is talking with House Resources Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) to see when that panel might hear the proposal.
"As soon as I get back, we'll sit down and talk and see whether there's sufficient time and appropriate legislative venues to try and move forward with it," Abercrombie said yesterday.
"If there is, then we'll do it. If there isn't, then we may have to take it up later. My intention is to try to move forward expeditiously, whenever and wherever possible," he said.
Maui resident Charles K. Maxwell apologized to the panel today for the disruption by some Hawaiians this week. It brought him great shame, he said, to see the respect kupunas (elders) have taught lost upon these people.
Maxwell said it is a futile effort to believe that control of the islands will ever be returned to Hawaiians or that the United Nations will ever insist that the United States do so. He believes the best opportunity is to support the Akaka bill so kanaka maoli will be recognized as the people of these islands.
"We must come together as one -- and soon," Maxwell said. "If we do not come together, then our children will know we had a chance to correct this, but we failed."
The Akaka bill sets up a political relationship between native Hawaiians and the federal government. Many say the lack of a government-to-government relationship was why the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Hawaiians-only voting requirement for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which they considered a state agency and not a quasi-sovereign one.
The bill is intended to address the high court's decision in Rice v. Cayetano, as well as to protect the 150 existing federal programs that help Hawaii's native people.
Overall, testimony this week favored passage of the bill. Opponents, however, forced co-chairmen Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and Abercrombie to enforce testimony time limits and, at times, to recess the hearings after the disruptions got out of control. It also prompted a large contingent of police and deputy sheriffs to be present at the Neil Blaisdell Center for the past three days.
Those who caused the disruptions continue to argue for a reinstatement of the Hawaiian kingdom without any U.S. involvement.
Akaka, whose physical therapy sessions for his hip replacement surgery kept him from attending portions of the hearings, reaffirmed yesterday it will be Hawaiians, and not others, who will decide their political future.
Akaka said his staff will pore over the testimony over the next two weeks and see what changes can be made to the draft bill. In the meantime, Akaka urged supporters to call their friends and relatives living on the mainland to lobby their congressional representatives to support the measure.
The delegation's goal is passage of the proposal before Congress adjourns in early October.
"My hope is that we can get it through and out of the committee and on to the floor," Akaka said.
"I've spoken to (Sen.) Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), the Democratic leader, and he's going to speak to (Sen.) Trent Lott (R-Miss.), the leader of the Senate, to see if we can get it on the agenda before we adjourn," Akaka said.
"I can't ask for anything more."
U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink has reserved comment on the bill until after the hearings end today. Mink and Abercrombie are expected to have a tougher time convincing the U.S. House to support the measure.
OHA Special
Rice vs. Cayetano arguments
Rice vs. Cayetano decision
Holo I Mua: Sovereignty Roundtable
Clayton Hee, Office of Hawaiian Affairs chairman, met late yesterday afternoon with Gov. Ben Cayetano about the state Supreme Court ruling that allows OHA trustees to remain in office. Hee, Cayetano
meet to talk about
court ruling on OHABy Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin"We were just talking ... about the situation," Hee said after meeting with the governor, a day after Cayetano said he would file petitions to remove the trustees.
The governor has contended that OHA trustees hold office illegally since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled they were not properly elected.
Reacting to the Monday state Supreme Court decision to leave the contested OHA trustees in office, Cayetano noted Wednesday the court said the state failed to ask that the trustees be removed.
Earlier reports were the state would make the request in state court today.
"No decisions have been made," Hee said after his meeting with Cayetano. "We'll continue talking."
He and the governor are trying to find a way to maybe find some agreement, Hee said.
"The fact that the governor's willing to meet is a positive sign. He has his thoughts. Hopefully we'll continue to meet."
Kim Murakawa, the governor's press secretary, when asked for details said: "I have nothing to report for you this evening."
OHA Special
Rice vs. Cayetano arguments
Rice vs. Cayetano decision
Holo I Mua: Sovereignty Roundtable
