Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 6, 1 June 2004 — C- Overall grade on Hawaiian issues [ARTICLE]

C- Overall grade on Hawaiian issues

The members of the 2004 legislative session spent a great deal of time and energy on issues relating to drug addiction, the environment, land use, agricultural land, education, labor disputes and partisan bickering. During the 22nd Legislature, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs reviewed more than 7,000 bills, took positions on over 600 bills and provided testimony on over 200 measures. Based on the legislative votes, Hawaiian issues seem to border on partisan lines with Republicans voting against most measures whieh seem most favorable to Hawaiians. Though Democrats offered to hear our

voice, they failed by way of leadership to get things done. In the 2003 session, significant gains were made in regard to the restoration of ceded land payments. However, there have not been any such proactive ideas in this year's session. As Hawaiians, we seem to be on the defensive, trying to protect what was previously entitled to us. As a result the session deserves a "C-." We hope that we have informed both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians regarding the issues of importance and that Hawaiians continue to grow as a political force to be reckoned with by voting for legislators that identify with us. ■