Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 11, 1 November 2000 — lmplications of the Akaka Bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

lmplications of the Akaka Bill

« WAS RECENTLY asked whether I favor federal recognition between Native Hawaiians and the U.S. government, as proposed by the Akaka bill, S.2899 and H.R. 4904. It is a step forward. The reason for pushing the bill is to gain federal recognition to protect Native Hawaiian funding/programs from elimination by legal challenges of racial discrimination. However, many testified in late August 2000 at Congressional hearings on the bill's shortcomings. In particular, the Department of Interior representative testified that it would take 2030 years before the U.S. would extend federal recognition to Native Hawaiians (based on that federal agency's prior experience), under the provisions of the Akaka bill. If it takes that long, then all Native Hawaiian funding/programs will be cut out and totally eliminated by pending lawsuits that allege racial discrimination, long before federal recognition is extended. This scenario defeats the very purpose for whieh the Akaka bill

was introduced. The question is what must happen in order for the Akaka bill to work for Native Hawaiians? First, if it is not too late, our Con-

gressional delegation should take steps to find a way to get Congress to extend federal recognition immediately, the very day the bill is passed in Congress, subject to specific steps outlined in the Akaka bill. Native Hawaiians eannot wait 20-30 years. Second, there must be a push to fast track the process outlined in the Akaka bill (by utilizing the existing momentum of native initiatives that have already achieved substantial progress in reaching

out to the community to educate and discuss the options available for political status). We must take advantage of progress made by those groups and indi-

viduals that have spent countless days, months and years to move us forward in our sovereignty movement. Unfortunately, the Akaka bill duplicates the native

initiatives in Hawai'i and fails to incorporate their efforts. If our leaders took the time to evaluate how we ean incorporate such efforts, we ean fast track the entire process.

1 hird, our Congressional delegation from Hawai'i must push for full and adequate funding, not pieeemeal funding, from the U.S. Congress. Likewise, as long as strings are attached, Native Hawaiians will be stalled in efforts to move forward. Our Congressional team must take measures to set aside such funding so Native Hawaiians are ffee to use the monies for its intend-

eu purpose, dui wunout federal government interference. Fourth, if passed, the Akaka bill calls for a nine (9) member commission

(appointed by Congress) to certify the roll for those eligible to participate in the process. However, anyone who has taken the time to research family genealogy for four or more generations back knows it is time consuming and sometimes frustrating. Access to proper documentation is a problem. How long will it take to complete family genealogies for over 100,000 adults in our community statewide and worldwide? Our leaders must take bold and aggressive efforts to design a well designed plan to fast track the certification process to cut back the time that it ordinarily takes to complete genealogy research. Finally, a continuing examination of independence options in the intemational arena should also be further explored. These are the challenges that face us. Can we make the Akaka bill work for us? Now is the time for us to coordinate our mutual efforts. Leadership is the key. Who we elect in November 2000 will dictate OHA's path into the future. Please vote. As your trustee at large, I pledge to be open and honest with a genuine desire to do the best for Native Hawaiians. ■

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