KA LEO KAIĀULU - LETTERS

Ka Leo Kaiāulu

OHA reserves the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right not to print any submission. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Letters cannot be published unless they include a telephone contact for verification. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email kwo@oha.org.

George Will's column misstates the past and the present

The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, or Akaka Bill, has been wildly mischaracterized and misinterpreted since its passage by the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 24, nowhere more so, than in George Will's recent column, entitled “Social Engineers In Paradise.” Mr. Will began by drawing an astonishing and rather grotesque parallel between the definition of a Native Hawaiian and Nazi Germany's selection of people to load on boxcars bound for gas chambers. On a slightly more rational yet equally absurd note, he claimed that, under the bill, “Native Hawaiians would be members of a new 'tribe' conjured into existence by Congress.”

As the House and Senate sponsors of the legislation, we can assure you that our bill conjures into existence no new “tribes.” Rather, it acknowledges the historic fact that Native Hawaiians were on their land centuries before anyone from the United States ever came ashore. It acknowledges the fact that the Kingdom of Hawai'i was recognized as a sovereign nation by the United States more than 175 years ago and accorded full diplomatic relations in treaties and conventions in 1826, 1842, 1849, 1875 and 1887, all ratified by Congress. And, it allows the federal government to recognize Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people of the United States, very much like Native Americans or Alaska Natives.

In 1893, American business interests — backed by U.S. troops from an American naval ship — illegally overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy, in what President Grover Cleveland later called “an act of war.” Twenty-eight years later, Congress passed the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, setting aside more than 200,000 acres for homesteads and farms for Native Hawaiian families. In addition, 1.8 million acres were ceded from the former Hawaiian royal family. It was no accident, but by deliberate action that the United States and people of Hawai'i expressly recognized and preserved the rights of its indigenous people in the 1959 Hawai'i Admissions Act. By law, a portion of the revenues from the lands, administered by the State of Hawai'i, is intended for the betterment of the Native Hawaiian people.

The Akaka Bill enables the Native Hawaiian people to decide on the organization of an entity to represent them in government-to-government relations with the U.S. And, the State of Hawai'i will be able to transfer responsibility for the administration of cultural resources to a Native Hawaiian government recognized by the United States. If, as Mr. Will states, this somehow conveys special privileges or immunities to its citizens, they are certainly not apparent.

The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act does not create a program or entitlement. It doesn't require an appropriation. It isn't based on racial groups or set-asides or preferences. It doesn't turn over assets of the U.S. government, nor give anyone title to anything they don't already own. It is unfortunate that some who oppose the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act misstate its meaning and effect.

The Akaka Bill doesn't divide Americans. Today's Native Hawaiians are proud citizens of the United States. They work hard. They raise families. They pay taxes. And, they have been front and center in the ranks of our military for decades. The Akaka Bill has been supported repeatedly by Hawai'i's state Legislature, and has been endorsed by our Republican Gov. Linda Lingle. It passed in the House by a 108-vote margin, 39 of them Republican. Until recently, the measure was never partisan in the House of Representatives. We hope it will not be partisan in the U.S. Senate. It has never been partisan in Hawai'i.

By U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie

Rebuttal to Stender column

I respected Oz Stender, but his malicious column, “Fight cultural annihilation,” about Small Business Hawai'i's October forum on the Akaka Bill is knowingly false and disrespectful. Even more outrageous is his likening our event to the movie “Bury Me At Wounded Knee,” something that only validates critics of the Akaka Bill and its perceived divisiveness. As president of SBH, let me set the record straight.

A sold-out crowd came to hear “The Pros and Cons of the Akaka Bill's Impact on Hawai'i Small Business,” – everyone wanted more debate. The program was open to everyone; all were invited to make comments.

Mr. Stender attacks speaker Elaine Willman of the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (CERA), but never discloses that Ms. Willman was one of two speakers in our well-balanced presentation and that Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce spokesman Bruss Keppeler was given equal time to support the Akaka Bill.

Mr. Stender puts down Native Hawaiians who spoke up calling them “tokens” while making the outrageous claim that SBH wants to “annihilate” Native Hawaiians who refuse to “assimilate.” How disrespectful, degrading and patronizing from an OHA Trustee. What motivates Mr. Stender is unfathomable to me.

Samuel M. Slom
President, Small Business Hawai'i

Hawaiians – A race to reckon with

While Hawaiians have intermixed with other races, including haoles, Hawaiians are still a race to reckon with. I mean from elementary to college and all over, I see Hawaiians are feared and respected, and for some who spent their teens on the U.S. continent, they even enjoy star status with young wåhine in California! And we must be something, obviously a race to be reckoned with, after all haoles have to use the courts to get into Kamehameha Schools and to run for office in OHA. And after spending all that money to hire lawyers to get their kids into Kamehameha Schools, with one exception, most have dropped out, finding it's too difficult to learn our language, customs, music, hula, chants and our way of life now, and then! So why spend all that money to get their kids into Kamehameha in the first place, if only to slap the faces of the many Hawaiians whose kids do have Hawaiian blood and got in the usual way to Kamehameha Schools!

Rodney Souza
Wailuku, Maui

Mauna Kea carrying burden

Because Eye Kea I can see the mountain of Mauna Kea carrying the burden of the world on her head. Check on those telescopes that are searching the universe. No longer are the snows of Mauna Kea white and clean but now have been used and abused by aliens that have landed. Occupation?

Now the military wants to do SECRET research at the University of Hawai'i, using the SACRED land of the Hawaiian Islands. To you who have an Eye No Care attitude, you should realize that these areas are occupied by the military, which uses all kind of excuses to justify their action.

The University of Hawai'i is responsible for educating anyone who is seeking knowledge and wisdom. One needs to have a dream or vision in planning their lives. Military research should be in Washington, D.C.

Because Eye Kea I want to thank Vicky, Kyle, Richard and others Eye don't know who they are. These few devoted people of the land have been at lots of hearings or meetings regarding land issues. The land has Eyes and now needs voices for all to hear. Peace should be worldwide.

Non-Hawaiians should be careful in accepting foreign ideas. Don't use any part of this island as a killing field or stomping ground to create unrest.

Lucy M. Akau
Waimānalo, O'ahu

Notice to Readers Ka Wai Ola o OHA will accept for consideration news releases and letters to the editor on topics of relevance and interest to OHA and Hawaiians, as well as special events and reunion notices. Ka Wai Ola o OHA reserves the right to edit all material for length and content, or not to publish as available space or other considerations may require. Ka Wai Ola o OHA does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Deadline for submissions is the 15th day of every month. Late submissions are considered only on a space-available basis.