Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 9, 1 September 2004 — Recognition inquiry [ARTICLE]

Recognition inquiry

I am a young Hawaiian student who recently visited the OHA site concerning federal recognition. I have many questions and worries concerning the proposed federal "recognition" of Native Hawaiians. One of my most pressing questions is, "What would the Hawaiian people lose with the passing of this legislation?" I was happy and surprised to find "What do Hawaiians stand to lose?" on the site. I was, however, very frustrated by the answer OHA provides to this question. The answer has nothing to

do with the proposed question but instead praises the bill exclusively. Would we lose nothing through this bill? I don't know if this website is meant to give Hawaiians a clear, true view of what this bill would imply or if it is a politically motivated voice-box for the speedy acceptance of a largely misunderstood and complicated issue! Lopaka Luis Ulumaheihei Purdy Waimānalo, O'ahu