Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Photo credit: www.FreeHawaii.Info
WE 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 WE 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:
Akaka Bill: Hawaiians Do Not Want the Akaka Bill Yet Governor Linda Lingle Sends a Letter to U.S. Senators Encouraging Support for the Akaka Bill
Stop the Akaka Bill
Governor Linda Lingle today sent a letter to all U.S. Senators affirming her strong support of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill, and encouraging them to support bringing the bill to a vote in the Senate and to vote to enact it into law.
Governor Lingle’s press release with her flip flip on the Akaka Bill can be seen here:
If so whether Hawaiian by nationality or whether a non-Hawaiian… contact all senators including your senators and tell them to vote NO on the Akaka Bill.
Senator Daniel Akaka who is one of the sponsors of the Akaka Bill posted a press release about this shady negotiations that were made without the input of Hawaiians:
What do Hawaiians think of the Akaka Bill? This question is rarely asked.
After the King Kamehameha Day parade, what was on the ground all around was enough to astound.
Thousands of names from the Ku’e Anti-Annexation Petition which shows how many Hawaiians were against the annexation of Hawai’i and against statehood. They still speak. They did not want statehood like how they do not want the Akaka Bill.