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Olelo to televise
Hawaiian status hearings

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By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Next week's congressional hearings in Honolulu on a bill that clarifies the political status between native Hawaiians and the U.S. government will be televised on community television.

"Olelo, the Corporation for Community Television, will provide complete uninterrupted and commercial-free coverage of the hearings on a taped-delay basis on Channel 53 starting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"Olelo President Lurline McGregor said the issue is of such importance to Hawaiians it should be viewed by those unable to attend.

The joint Senate-House committee announced yesterday it was moving the six statewide hearings all to Oahu so U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka could attend. Akaka is recovering from hip replacement surgery but doctors have not yet cleared him for air travel.

Members of the committees felt strongly about Akaka's presence at the hearings and moved them to Oahu rather than canceling or postponing them.

The hearings now will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Pikake room of the Neal Blaisdell Center. Individuals who signed up to testify on the neighbor islands are being invited to testify on Oahu or to submit their testimony in writing.

All testimony -- all oral or written -- will become part of the official congressional record. Although most members of the joint-committee will be comprised of Hawaii's congressional delegation, public comment is essential for the concurrent bill, said Paul Cardus, Akaka's press secretary.

Congress reconvenes Sept. 7. Proponents hope to gain passage of the bill before the session adjourns in early October.

The program will also be video streamed at http://www.olelo.org