Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 8, 1 August 2003 — Governor, congressional delegates and OHA trustees confer in rare bipartisan 'summit' on Hawaiian recognition bill [ARTICLE]

Governor, congressional delegates and OHA trustees confer in rare bipartisan 'summit' on Hawaiian recognition bill

By Derek Ferrar In early July, OHA's trustees met with Hawai'i's congressional delegation, Gov. Linda Lingle and other state officials in a rare bipartisan gathering to develop a unified strategy toward passage of the Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill. "I (am) enthused and extremely gratified with the governor's position," Sen. Daniel Inouye told the media after the meeting. "With her leadership, together with the coordinated effort of the OHA people and the congressional delegation, we'll have it done ... we can't take 'no' for an alternative." For her part, Lingle — who promised during

her campaign that justice for Hawaiians would be a key priority of her administration — said, "We've all committed ourselves to do whatever it takes ... Whatever the steps necessary to get this accomplished, we'll do it." In late June, the "Akaka-Stevens" recognition bill passed the U.S. Senate's Indian Affairs Committee, and supporters are hoping that the measure will eome up for a full floor vote before the Senate adjourns for recess in early August. While the all-Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation have asked the Senate leadership to schedule a floor debate on the bill, the support of Lingle's Republican administration is seen as key in influencing the Republicanled Congress and the Bush administration, whieh

has yet to weigh in with a clear position on the bill. Lingle, who has already traveled to Washington to testify in favor of the bill, said she would be willing to do so again when the bill comes up for consideration by the full Senate. "The summit meeting ended up with the all parties concurring that it is in the best interest of the entire state of Hawai'i — not just for Native Hawaiians — to see the recognition bill passed," said Scotty Bowman, chief of staff to OHA Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona who was present at the private meeting. "And we know that the governor will be instrumental in communicating that to the Bush administration and congressional leadership." ■