Hawaiians fault revised Akaka bill, call for hearing

The Advertiser reports on yesterday's press conference at which "Hawaiian sovereignty activists, declaring the current federal recognition bill a 'time bomb,' are calling on Congress to give the measure another hearing in Hawai'i before passing amendments that some believe will shortchange Native Hawaiians in their claims. The bill's most troublesome feature, they said, is a recent amendment that sets a 20-year deadline for a Native Hawaiian government to organize and negotiate with the state and federal governments. Those negotiations would clarify its powers and settle existing claims on lands and assets now controlled by the state and federal governments."

The Star-Bulletin story says: "Several organizations have described as 'flawed' and 'dangerous' the changes made to a bill granting federal recognition to Hawaiians as indigenous people. Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the Ilioulaokalani Coalition, said: 'It is very dangerous to the native Hawaiian community. We stand to lose more than we will gain.' At a news conference at the Iolani Palace yesterday, members of Ilioulaokalani Coalition, Ka Lahui Hawaii and Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui Hawaii and several individual advocates expressed objections over amendments made to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, known as the Akaka bill. Some advocates also said the U.S. Senate did not give Hawaiians the opportunity to review or provide feedback on the changes."

A KHNL News 8 story says: "Hawaiian sovereignty activists are criticizing changes made to the Hawaiian federal recognition bill. The activists are calling for another hearing in Hawaii before Congress approves the so-called Akaka bill."

And this from the AP Wire...

"Sovereignty Activists Criticize Revised Akaka Bill,"
The Associated Press State & Local Wire, May 5, 2004.

["HONOLULU: Sovereignty activists are criticizing changes made to the Hawaiian federal recognition bill, saying the revisions are 'flawed' and 'dangerous.' The activists are calling for another hearing in Hawaii before Congress approves the so-called Akaka bill. Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the Ilioulaokalani Coalition, said the revised bill is 'very dangerous to the native Hawaiian community. We stand to lose more than we will gain.' Some sovereignty advocates said the U.S. Senate did not give Hawaiians the opportunity to review or provide feedback on the changes. . . . One major change includes a 20-year statute of limitations to file any claim against the United States."]

Posted: Wed - May 5, 2004 at 08:38 AM

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Hawaiians fault revised Akaka bill, call for hearing

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