With the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill highly unlikely to pass Congress, the state Legislature is moving on a similar bill that would begin the process of establishing a Native Hawaiian government entity that would negotiate with the state and federal government in a manner similar to Native Americans.
At a joint hearing Monday of the Senate Ways and Means and Judiciary committees, opponents of the bill insisted on testifying, even though Judiciary Chairman Clayton Hee said previous committees have heard substantial testimony.
The proposal is opposed by advocates for full Hawaiian independence, because it assumes continued U.S. and state government control of Hawaii. The proposal would require Native Hawaiians to prove ancestry and vote, first on delegates to a convention and then on the product of the convention’s work.
The committees approved the bills, with a two no votes from Republican Sen. Sam Slom and Democrat Sen. Will Espero.
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Update: Here’s a post from Hawaii Island Journal with some concerns and comments on the bill.
Welcome to the United States of Racism. And theft. And a complete disregard for law, justice and democracy. And this is what the Council wants to perpetuate? What we need and want is a FREE HAWAI’I!
The State of Hawaii is void of authority concerning international matters of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The sooner they realize that the less retarded they will appear.
Hawaiian nationals want full restoration as well as the spoils of reparations that they’re entitled to on an international level and reject any proposed crumbs of the Akaka Bill.
I’m sure the passage of such a Bill would be met with a legal challenge by some americans as being race based and unconstitutional. If such a law should injure Hawaiian nationals than remedy for damages would fall under the Alien Tort Act for violation of the executive agreement. Either way, these so called public officals violate their oaths of office. Can anyone say “Class action suit”?