Trask calls on critics Hawaiian studies professor Haunani-Kay Trask has challenged three of her critics to debate American foreign policy and what led to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
to debate American policy
Cayetano, Hee decline, saying
her statements are not worthy of debateBy Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.comGov. Ben Cayetano, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Clayton Hee and Star-Bulletin contributing editor John Flanagan all publicly criticized Trask over remarks she made last week at an anti-war forum at the University of Hawaii.
Trask, a UH professor and Hawaiian sovereignty activist, contends "the United States bears responsibility for alienating people in the Third and Fourth World, for creating conditions without any democratic participation or discussion that lead people to terrible desperation."
The position is taken by several scholars, including former CIA operatives who have examined U.S. foreign policy throughout the 20th century, Trask said Tuesday.
"I have statistics and books and if (Cayetano) wants to criticize me, let him come up and present his evidence," she said. "I am a scholar. Where is his scholarship?"
Flanagan declined comment yesterday, while Cayetano and Hee said they had no plans to debate Trask.
"There is no reason to debate someone like Trask," Cayetano said through a spokeswoman. "A debate would only give credibility to what is an incredibly arrogant and irresponsible person."
Hee said he was not inclined to engage in a public forum with Trask, now or ever.
"Her comments of hate and her aspersions against the United States and her nonstop effort to assassinate the characters of this country's leaders are not worthy of debate," he said.
"Haunani-Kay Trask is living proof that common sense and compassion are not prerequisites to a Ph.D."
