Currently, the United States recognizes 554 groups of indigenous people as possessing sovereign authority. Native Hawaiians are working to have their nation to nation status recognized once again, but is the Akaka bill the proper venue as it appears to
Currently, the United States recognizes 554 groups of indigenous people as
possessing sovereign authority. Native Hawaiians are working to have their
nation to nation status recognized once again, but is the Akaka bill the proper
venue as it appears to undermine Hawaiian self-determination? The entire
process ignores Hawaiian input and establishes an impossible timetable.
If
this federal process is so critical, why is there no money to effectuate its
purposes, insuring the trust responsibility of the United States and
recognizing the unique status of Hawaiians? How will the bill promote
self-determination?
Protection of Hawaiian entitlements and programs are
insured by the bill which continues dependence on the federal dole.
For
years millions of dollars have poured into the state because of the plight of
Hawaiians. Millions and millions of dollars to raise the educational status of
Hawaiians, to improve Hawaiian health and to attack social problems.
Are
Hawaiians willing to ultimately give up those subsidies? Is the state? Are
Hawaiians being prepared to make intelligent decisions about their future?
Everyone knew Hawaiians would lose Rice vs Cayetano, even the gamblers in
Chinatown. Shouldn’t our Congressional delegation have started their work on
the bill as soon as Freddie Rice filed his case? Or was the Akaka bill
deliberately doomed to failure from its inception?
Our Congressional
delegation could promote the building of the Hawaiian nation by insuring that
Native Hawaiians receive the airport revenues they are owed from federal funds
instead of state general funds (20 percent of a billion dollars plus isn’t
chump change) and by changing the law so that federal surplus lands are held to
be part of the sovereign lands of the Hawaiian nation.
And Hawaiians should
quit the in-fighting, the ego trips, and move to educate themselves on their
rights. Hawaiians need to build on their strengths and their common traditions
and their pride as a people. They need to strategize to build the best future
for all.
Lela Hubbard
‘Aiea, O’ahu
