Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 5, 1 May 2010 — Let common sense prevail in seeking passage of Akaka Bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Let common sense prevail in seeking passage of Akaka Bill

Since 2002 I have been committed to passage of the Akaka Bill and the recognition by Congress of the Hawaiian people. This battle has been going on for more than 10 years by OHA and other Hawaiian organizations who realize the need for recognition not only in the interest of reconciliation for past deeds but more importantly to protect Hawaiians from legal demise as a result of the incessant lawsuits and

threats by those accusing us of race discrimination. Hawaiians have been subject to these unjust and unfair attacks over the past 20 years and this will get worse unless we secure the legal shield of recognition from Congress. And "Hawaiians," besides our people, must include OHA, the Kamehameha Schools and any other organization that gives preference to Hawaiians over all others. In the meantime, as OHA has led the battle in the courts, the Congress and the community to defend our identity and legal existence, there have been those who are adamant that Hawai'i must be returned to the Hawaiians and not merely heeome a "nahon within a nation." These groups are led by determined individuals who have designated themselves the heads of a variety of governments with many different origins and sources of authority. These and their supporters will not accept that any ill ean eome from Hawaiians losing in the courts but that such loss would likely only strengthen their positions of independence from the United States. Sadly, this idealism and ostrich defense leaves the battle against our antagonists for the rest of us to fight. Though this may be a detriment to Hawaiian unity, we must still press forward for the betterment of all and as Kamehameha encouraged his warriors, " 'a'ohe hope e ho'i mai ai," there is no retreat. See M0SSMAN on page 21

leo eleletrustEE mESSSagES

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Būyd P. Mūssman Trustee, Maui

M088MAN Continued from page 17

In November of this past year, we at OHA read in the news of significant changes in the Akaka Bill, whieh caught not only OHA but the state and even some members of our eongressional delegation by surprise. We tried to determine their origin and purpose in light of the fact that we and our lobbyists have been working for years to ensure the votes needed in Congress. In 2002, the Justice Department confounded our efforts. In 20 10, the Justice Department seems to have had a hand in these changes. Suffice it to say that we reacted as fast as possible and sought to offer some changes to the new legislation at the same time as did the State Attomey General. At no time did we collaborate with him in his proposed changes, and in the end many of our changes were made and some of his. Nevertheless, the state, contrary to supporting this bill for the last eight years is now against the bill because of its alleged adverse effect on the people and govemment of Hawai'i. And so now we also have the state to deal with as well as those who contributed to the recent changes; thus when considering the votes in Congress, we have a mueh greater challenge than we had in November of last year, before the changes. It has become an expectation for me to expect the unexpected when it comes to the Akaka Bill, and so we persevere and we work and we try harder to achieve some degree of recognition that will be perfected over the coming years by congressional amendments. The point is, the bill needs to pass and the political cards couldn't have been better than now. With the state's opposition, we need to see where the votes in Congress will fall. Whatever the content of the bill, we should seek its passage, but let us exercise practicality, eommon sense and reason in doing so. ■

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