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A bill Sen. Daniel Akaka introduced to gain recognition of a political and trust relationship between Hawaiians and the federal government created at least as much controversy as consensus last night. Akaka’s bill gets
mixed response
By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin"We are not the decision-makers," forum panelist Kahoonei Panoke wearily concluded after more than 3 hours of discussion. "We are the messengers."
A number of the 75 persons in the state Capitol auditorium objected to what they saw as too much federal say over affairs of native Hawaiians, particularly putting much power of approval or disapproval in the hands of the U.S. secretary of the Interior.
Audience comments came after four panelists discussed the bill at length, often line by line.
"The bill that you have before you is simply the bill that has been introduced," said panelist Beadie Dawson. Noting it stands to be substantially amended, she urged Hawaiians to testify in Aug. 28-Sept. 1 Senate hearings here on Akaka's bill.
"This is a job for us as Hawaiians, and it's going to be the only opportunity for many, many years," said panelist Kina'u Kamali'i. "I support this bill with amendments, and there are a lot of amendments that must be made in this legislation."
She called for constructive action. "When you oppose something, for my sake and the sake of everybody that's here, have another solution." she said. "But do it with kindness. That's important. Nothing in here is sacred. It's for you to make the amendments. "Don't come up and tell me I don't like this and I don't like this. Tell me why and what you want."
The bill contains language that restates the Nov. 23, 1993, congressional resolution extending an apology on behalf of the United States to the native people of Hawaii for the United States' role in the overthrow of the kingdom of Hawaii.
"The apology resolution acknowledges that the overthrow of the kingdom of Hawaii occurred with the active participation of agents and citizens of the United States and further acknowledges that the native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people over their national lands to the United States, either through their monarchy or through a plebiscite or referendum," Akaka's bill says in part.
"Most of the findings in this piece of legislation have come directly from the apology bill," said panelist Corbett Kalama. Some audience members said Akaka's bill legitimatizes the overthrow of the monarchy, and a number opposed the bill in its entirety.