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Hawaiian clarification
bill is planned

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii's congressional delegation plans to introduce a bill in June that clarifies the relationship between Hawaiians and the federal government, with the hopes it will win approval this year.

The delegation -- which set up a task force on Hawaiian issues March 9 -- is considering legislation that recognizes Hawaiians as an indigenous people with a special relationship with the United States who have a right to self-determination under federal law, said U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka.

Akaka, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie met with two dozen leaders in the Hawaiian community yesterday who make up one of the task force's five working groups. They assured the group that the measure would not interfere with their right to self-determination but said the measure is needed to protect government programs for Hawaiians after the Rice decision.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court did not address the relationship of Hawaiians and the federal government in the Rice vs. Cayetano case, Inouye said the delegation felt people are ready to challenge programs for Hawaiians. Therefore, he said, there is an urgency to act immediately to at least "give pause" to those who may want to do so.

There are more than 160 federal programs and services that help Hawaiians that have brought in more than $300 million in the past 10 years. Add the return of the Island of Kahoolawe to the Hawaiian people, and that total climbs to $750 million, Inouye said.

The delegation yesterday proposed a consolidated schedule that calls for the working groups to discuss federal legislation this month, with a draft ready for circulation and input next month.

The measure would be introduced in June in hopes of gaining passage before the 106th Congress adjourns in early October. "We are working against time," said Inouye, who added there's about 35 working days left this session.

Intentionally excluded from this effort are resolutions on controversial issues such as ceded lands and blood quantum. For now, Hawaiians need to be unified on this goal of federal recognition for it to succeed, Akaka said.

Abercrombie said he and U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink will have a tough time persuading the Republican-controlled House to support measures recognizing the political status of Hawaiians. "Patsy and I have unique challenges and difficulties in the House because we have 435 people whose attention we must attract in a favorable way in a very short time," he said.

All 25 members of the Hawaiian working group said they are ready to work toward this goal. Colette Machado, an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee, strongly urged those who prefer an independent Hawaii not to slow down the majority of those who want to work quickly on this matter. "Get out now if you can't work toward federal recognition," Machado said.

Sovereignty activists Kekuni Blaisdell and Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, who advocate a sovereign and independent Hawaii, were not asked to join the working group but sat in on yesterday's two-hour discussion.

Holo I Mua: Sovereignty Roundtable

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