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Editorials
Monday, December 11, 2000Hawaiians get federal
housing assistanceThe issue: Hawaiians living on or eligible to live on Hawaiian Home Lands have long been denied federal housing assistance granted to American Indians and Alaskan natives.
THE Hawaiian homestead program has gotten a financial boost with the approval by Congress of low-income housing assistance and a federal loan guarantee program. President Clinton is expected to sign the measure into law.
Ray Soon, chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, said the legislation authorizes about $200 million over five years to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for housing programs for Hawaiians most in need.
Hawaii's Senator Akaka pointed out that the measure extends to Hawaiians who reside on or are eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands housing assistance that has been available to American Indians and Alaskan natives.
In the past, Akaka noted, these Hawaiians "have been consistently denied access to federally assisted housing programs."
Akaka's colleague, Senator Inouye, said there have been three studies documenting that the housing needs of Hawaiians are among the most severe in the nation. "When signed into law, this bill will bring federal funds to Hawaii to address these critical needs," Inouye said.
A perennial lack of funds has resulted in a list of thousands of names of Hawaiians waiting for placement on Hawaiian Home Lands. By providing assistance for the neediest applicants, the new benefits will help reduce the waiting list.
In recent years Hawaiians have been made eligible for a number of federal programs benefiting native Americans, thanks to the work of the Hawaii congressional delegation. In addition, Hawaiians benefit from the 20 percent of ceded land revenues provided for in state law, which funds the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, as well as the work of trusts and foundations dedicated to Hawaiian welfare.
The new housing assistance program is another step toward making up for decades of neglect of Hawaiian needs.
Secret evidence
against immigrants
AN immigration appeals panel has blocked release of Mazen Al-Najjar, 43, a Tampa, Fla., university teacher who has been in jail for more than three years based on secret evidence that he has terrorist connections. An immigration judge who had looked at the evidence ordered him released on $8,000 bond but was overruled.
Al-Najjar is being confined under the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. The law allows the Immigration and Naturalization Service, on the approval of its own judges, to jail immigrants indefinitely, without charges and without bail, on the basis of "secret evidence." The defendant's lawyer is not allowed to examine the evidence, much less rebut it.
The law was an overreaction to the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building. It is unjust and almost certainly unconstitutional. It should be repealed or revised.
Scripps Howard News Service reports that Al-Najjar's only offense appears to be having overstayed a student visa. Of Palestinian origin, he has lived in the United States since 1981. He is married and has three daughters who are U.S. citizens.
Al-Najjar is one of about two dozen immigrants who are being held under the law -- not a large number, which may explain the relatively little concern that has been expressed. But it is fundamentally wrong and undemocratic to treat people in this manner.
If the government has credible evidence of terrorism, it should charge Al-Najjar and the others and try them in open court.
IN a time when running for public office has become an ever-more expensive proposition, it's refreshing to see people win election at little cost. Campaign spending
Republican Harry Kim reported spending less than $17,000 in his successful campaign for mayor of Hawaii County. His opponents, Democrat Fred Holschuh and the Green Party's Keiko Bonk spent nearly $300,000 and $129,000 respectively. Kim's name, of course, is a household word on the Big Island after 24 years and numerous emergencies as the county Civil Defense chief.
Oswald Stender spent even less in winning election to the board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Stender reported raising $1,000 and spending only $780. His name, too, is a household word because of the key role he played in ousting his abusive colleagues on the board of the Bishop Estate.
A lot of money isn't always necessary to win -- if people already know and admire you.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited PartnershipRupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
