Groups Gather to Support Akaka Bill
On Aug. 22, a wide array of Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian groups and individuals gathered at a press conference at Iolani Palace to express their support for federal recognition legislation. Among those represented were the Hawaii State Legislature; the AFL-CIO and HSTA unions; the Hawaii Democratic Party; the University of Hawaii; the Hawaii Tourism Authority; the NAACP/Hawaii Chapter; JACL Hawaii, Honolulu Chapter; Kamehameha Schools; the Hawaiian Homes Commission; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Alu Like; the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the Native Hawaiian Bar Association; the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and many others. The results of a new poll reaffirming broad support for federal recognition among Hawaii residents were also released at the press conference.
“It is time for all Americans to stand up for their fellow Americans of Native Hawaiian ancestry,” Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson Haunani Apoliona said at the event. “E ku like kakou; let's all stand together.”
Micah Kane, director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, said opponents are trying to destroy forever the identity of Native Hawaiians. “They are raising false fears that the Akaka bill will lead to things like secession from the United States, a land grab from non-Hawaiians and gambling on homestead lands. All are false,” Kane said.
State House Majority Leader Marcus Oshiro said the bill is needed to thwart a blizzard of legal challenges. Native Hawaiians are being targeted, but he said others are also in the crosshairs of litigators. “American Indians and Alaskan Natives may also find their programs and federal recognition challenged if the detractors of the Akaka bill have their way,” Oshiro said.
Kamani Kualaau, a 1997 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and former student body president, called the Akaka Bill the “hope of my generation of Hawaiians.” Kualaau said he respects the views of those Native Hawaiians who oppose the bill, but said, “I am here today to stand for the hope that Senator Akaka’s bill is the realistic first step in a process that will help us to continue to cherish our history, preserve our culture and stop the march against programs that advance Hawaiians’ self-being.”
Poll reaffirms strong support for Akaka Bill
Remarks by OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona
Remarks by Hawaii House Majority Leader Marcus Oshiro
