There’s more to beware from the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawai`i’s cultural sites that they’re supposed to maintain where the US Army trains. But instead of protect, it’s something else OHA neglects. Want the details of where OHA fails? Watch this video to see what OHA’s doing that’s got everyone stewing:
Independently contracted archaeologist Christopher Monahan, comments on the Army’s numerous shortcomings in its attempts at documenting cultural sites, which, if included on the National Register of Historic Places, offers them various protections from being disturbed.
Akaka Bill: Hawaiians, Hawaiian Nationals, and Non-Hawaiians Who Are Against the Akaka Bill
Akaka Bill // Photo Credit: Pono Kealoha
Leon Siu wrote a piece about the Akaka Bill which recently appeared in the Hawai’i Reporter on August 3, 2010. Here is another excerpt:
“We, the people of Hawai`i, declare our opposition to the 2010 version of the Akaka bill, and strongly object to being excluded from this legislative process,†stated Leon Siu representing the Koani Foundation, part of a coalition of Native Hawaiian groups.
“We have long been told that open, public debates in matters that affect the citizenry are part of the US democratic process. But it has not been so with the Akaka bill.â€
“We, the people of Hawai`i, insist the US Senate Indian Affairs Committee hold public hearings on S.1011 in Hawai`i as soon as possible. We demand to be heard.â€
The only time public hearings were held in Hawai`i on the [Akaka] bill was ten years ago.
At that hearing, people turned out in record numbers to oppose the legislation.
Since then, the only hearings held on the Akaka bill were in Washington, DC in the dead of winter, 5,000 miles from Hawai`i, and no opposing testimony from Hawaiians or anyone else was allowed.
Seen here: http://boss.hawaiireporter.com/hawaiians-demand-akaka-bill-hearings-in-hawaii-petition-shows-broad-anti-akaka-bill-sentiment/
Akaka Bill: Hawaiians Demand Akaka Bill Hearings in Hawaii
Leon Siu’s piece about the Akaka Bill recently appeared in the Hawai’i Reporter on August 3, 2010.
An excerpt:
We are contacting you to make you aware of broad opposition to S.1011, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009, otherwise known as the Akaka bill, throughout Hawai`i and to ask for your vote AGAINST this bill.
Regardless of what Hawai`i Senators Akaka and Inouye have told your office, the people of Hawai`i, including Native Hawaiians, do not support the Akaka bill and are demanding public hearings be held in Hawai`i before any vote occurs in Congress.
Over the years, poll after poll has shown the citizens of Hawai`i, both native and non-native to be overwhelmingly opposed to this bill.
Seen here http://boss.hawaiireporter.com/hawaiians-demand-akaka-bill-hearings-in-hawaii-petition-shows-broad-anti-akaka-bill-sentiment/
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Photo credit: www.FreeHawaii.Info
WE Â OPPOSE the Akaka Bill, (HB.862, HB.1711, HB.2314, SB.381, SB.708, SB.1011) otherwise known as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 because –
Hawaiians are not an American tribe. We are not “Native Americans.†Hawaiians are people of islands far removed from the North American continent.
Hawaiians are in fact an inclusive group consisting of diverse peoples of many races and ethnic backgrounds.
The Akaka bill is being put forth without input or consent of the people of Hawai`i which would allow those affected to present testimony on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.
In 2000 only two days of hearings were held on O`ahu island. All other hearings were cancelled.
The current and past bills addressing the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians to provide a process of recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity were subsequently redrafted and amendments were added with no input or testimony from Hawaiians.
No hearings have ever been held in Hawai`i on the current legislation before the 2009 Congress.
The Hawaiian people seek the right to a fair and democratic process that includes hearings on these bills throughout the islands that comprise the state of Hawai`i.
For 9 years, Hawaiians have requested that island wide hearings be rescheduled so that the hundreds of Hawaiians who want to testify can be included and their concerns heard.
The current effort being pursued in the United States Congress violates the most fundamental principles of democracy and human rights.
The Administration of President Barrack Obama came to office promising open government dedicated to truth and justice for all peoples.
We call upon the Obama Administration and the Congress to fulfill that commitment.
We call for Congressional committees to hold hearings on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act in Hawai`i to provide Hawaiians their right to make their views and opinions known.
In contrast to the Akaka bill, we demand a free, fair, impartial “Lahui” process of self-determination to decide what form of reconciliation is acceptable to the majority.
THEREFORE WEÂ STRONGLY OPPOSE the Akaka bill in any of its forms (HB.862, HB.1711, HB.2314, SB.381, SB.708, SB.1011,) until Congressional hearings are scheduled and held in Hawai`i on all islands, and in all states on the US continent where a significant population of Hawaiians reside, in order to provide them the right to a democratic fair, free, and impartial process of self-determination and to empower them with the ability to determine the culturally appropriate mechanism for their own self-governance and future.
To sign the petition against the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act also known as the “Akaka Bill” go to this website and sign your name:
Contact your senators as well via email, phone, AND fax and tell them to vote NO on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act also known as the “Akaka Bill:”
Akaka Bill: Office of Hawaiian Affairs OHA Trustees Vote Unanimously to Support Recent Changes to Hawaiian Recognition Bill
Hawaiians overwhelmingly oppose the Akaka Bill aka the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (NHGRA) yet the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Trusteesignore the will of the Hawaiian people.
On July 15, 2010 the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) posted a press release that details their unanimous decision supporting the Akaka Bill which was made without the input of Hawaiians:
An excerpt:
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to support the changes to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (NHGRA), which were recently agreed to by Senator Daniel Akaka, Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett.
“This timely and unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees places OHA, the Constitutional entity representing Hawaiians, at the lead position in supporting these important changes, which will allow all of us to move forward with this landmark bill,†said Haunani Apoliona, Chairperson, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. “This bill is good for Hawaiians and will bring beneficial outcomes to all residents of Hawai‘i. This is an opportunity for Native Hawaiians to unite and move forward together with a collective voice. I encourage ALL Hawaiians, wherever they may reside, to participate in the process for it will take all of us working together to make a difference for years to come,†Apoliona said.
You can view the press release by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supporting the Akaka Bill unanonymously while ignoring the will of the Hawaiian people here: