Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 5, 1 May 2010 — Straight talk about the Akaka Bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Straight talk about the Akaka Bill

By Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona

With a widely anticipated vote in the U.S. Senate, discussion regarding the 2010 Akaka Bill has reached a fevered pitch in our community. Despite concerns over recent amendments to the Akaka Bill, I believe it is important that we eome together in support of federal recognition for Native Hawaiians. For me, it's been an issue of careful analysis and discussion for many years. As Lieutenant Governor, I recognize that federal recognition and self-determination will benefit all of Hawai'i's citizens. I have always believed that what is best for Native Hawaiians is best for Hawai'i. What this means to me is that in order to bring halanee to the relationship between the indigenous people of these islands and the loeal, state and federal government, Native Hawaiians must be recognized on par with other indigenous peoples of the United States and be allowed their right to selfdetermination. Passage of the Akaka Bill would create a process to establish a Native Hawaiian governing entity that would represent Native Hawaiians on a government-to-government level and preserve and protect such vital Native Hawaiian programs as Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiian Homelands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, whieh remain under constant threat. I was honored to be part of a State and loeal delegation that rallied Congressional support for the 2006 version of the Akaka Bill. Unfortunately, the 2006 version was recently amended without first fully discussing the changes with the people of the State of Hawai'i. Ultimately, I believe the 2010 version will pass, but there are significant legal concems surrounding the bill; and the last-minute maneuvering by some, regardless of their intentions, is not representative of how we should conduct business in Hawai'i. I share valid concerns with the 2010 Akaka Bill, including its limited definition of whom qualifies to be recognized as a member of the Native Hawaiian community; its ill-defined relationship between the Native Hawaiian governing entity and loeal, state and federal government; and its immediate See AIONA on page 20

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establishment of sovereignty prior to further negotiations that could address outstanding issues like public safety, healthcare and property rights. To achieve the type of broad-based support that this landmark legislation deserves, the amendments contained within the 20 1 0 Akaka B ill should be fully vetted andresolved in the eommunity through open and inclusive public hearings. As an attomey and former state judge, I recognize that opponents of the 2010 Akaka Bill have rightly pointed out that failure to properly address these issues beforehand will likely result in difficult negotiations and protracted litigation following passage. While my preference is for Congressional leaders to work out these issues before passing the 2010 Akaka Bill, I will eonhnue to support the bill with reservations and work immediately to address any outstanding issues if elected Govemor. As a keiki o ka 'āina, I am eonfident that we will eome together to address these issues in a manner that exemplifies the fundamental values of our community - aloha, pono, laulima, lōkahi, ha'aha'a and kuleana. Our Native Hawaiian eommunity, with tremendous support from people of all ethnic backgrounds throughout the state and nahon, has overcome many obstacles over a long period of time to get this close to achieving federal recognition as an indigenous people. We have worked too hard for too long, and we owe it to those who eame before us to press forward. The opportunity exists to eonhnue the process of reconciliation for the Native Hawaiian people, and I am committed to seeing this process through. ■