Public meetings sought
on impact of Akaka Bill

State lawmakers want to educate the public on the merits of the Akaka Bill in Congress, now that the measure to grant federal recognition to native Hawaiians appears as close as it ever has been to passing out of the Senate.

Meetings scheduled The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has scheduled free public informational sessions on the status and content of the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill in Congress. Upcoming two-hour sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. and are scheduled for: » April 12, Washington Middle cafeteria, 1633 S. King St. » April 21, Kapolei High School cafeteria, 91-5005 Kapolei Parkway. » May 3, Blanche Pope Elementary cafeteria, 41-133 Huli St. The council also plans to schedule sessions on neighbor islands. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 800-709-2642 or visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org.

"I'm under the assumption that the Akaka Bill will pass, and so my concern is, Is the state prepared to help with the implementation of that legislation?" said House Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Scott Saiki (D, Moiliili-McCully). "I think we need to continue educating the public to assuage their fears or concerns about the legislation.

"People need to know what the legislation will mean on a practical day-to-day basis."

Saiki spoke after lawmakers were provided an update on the status of the Akaka Bill by three of Hawaii's four members of Congress. Only the bill's namesake, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, was unable to make yesterday's hearing because of a scheduling conflict.

An amended version of the bill, which would grant native Hawaiians the same rights of self-government enjoyed by American Indians and native Alaskans, was approved last month by the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye told state lawmakers he has received assurances from Republican leaders of the Senate that the bill would be considered for debate and a roll call vote on the Senate floor by August.

"I am convinced that we will have that vote," Inouye said. "I am convinced that we will prevail."

The bill would then go to the U.S. House, where Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Ed Case said they have been working with colleagues to ensure that the bill has bipartisan support. Both said Republican leaders in the House are supportive but are waiting for President Bush to state a position on the bill.

State Attorney General Mark Bennett, who along with Gov. Linda Lingle has met with the president to lobby his support, said that while the Bush administration has not spoken out in favor of the bill, it is worth noting that he has not spoken negatively about it, either.

"The Bush administration (is) like every other federal administration: They are not shy about telling the Congress if they have a problem with a bill," Bennett said.

Federal lawmakers noted that even if the bill is ultimately approved by both houses and the president, it merely gives native Hawaiians the authority to set up a self-governing body. The process of hearing from stakeholders and gathering input from all segments of Hawaii's population could take years.

In the meantime they asked state lawmakers for their continued support and help in educating the public on the bill. Lawmakers said they would hold further informational briefings to hear from Bennett, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and others.

Other independent groups also have planned town hall-style meetings to discuss the bill.

Supporters say federal recognition will provide native Hawaiians with increased control over their natural resources and assets. It does not authorize gaming or eligibility for native Hawaiians to participate in Indian programs.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said the situation is similar to statehood in 1959 and the creation of her office during the 1978 Constitutional Convention.

"People didn't know what the future was going to bring. ... There was fear, just like there is now," she said. "If you look back to those two experiences, the world didn't end, and I don't think the world's going to end with the native Hawaiian government."

Some remain opposed to the Akaka Bill. They appeared at yesterday's hearing with signs reading, "You have no right to cede our rights," and "Federalization is militarization," among others.

Among them was Ikaika Hussey, a native Hawaiian from Kaneohe and a frequent critic of U.S. military action in places such as Kahoolawe and Makua Valley -- land that is considered sacred to many native Hawaiians.

"It pulls power away from Hawaii and puts it in Congress," he said. "It will foreclose real justice on the justice of Hawaiian land, on the question of the ceded land."

Ceded lands are crown or public lands that were ceded to the new republic of Hawaii after the overthrow of the monarchy, and then to the territory of Hawaii after U.S. annexation of the islands in 1898 and to the new state of Hawaii in 1959.

Ceded lands make up about 1.4 million acres, or 95 percent of state-owned lands.