Blog

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2010

The Akaka Bill -Another Overthrow?

Self determination legislation proceeds 'without the voice of the people'

Kanaka Maoli (indigenous Hawaiians) are voiceless in a land they know best, they knew first,

they love most.

Regarding the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the
Akaka Bill, increasing numbers of Kanaka Maoli demand to be heard,
but have been ignored.

Instead, Hawaii's congressional delegates and political organizations have spoken for them
without consultation.

The Akaka Bill was given ONE hearing in Hawaii in the year 2000 where it faced overwhelming opposition from real live 'Oiwi (native Hawaiians).

Since then, no open hearings have been held anywhere.

Hearings conducted in Washington D.C., where the bill originated, were by-invitation- only;
closed to opposing testimony.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs said Monday they've worked with the congressional delegation,
the U.S. Department of Justice and the state attorney general to add several amendments claiming they would add integrity to the effort.

The truth is, these amendments satisfy some politicians, but NOT the Hawaiian people.

From the Hawaiian Islands to the continental U.S., Hawaii natives, natives of America and Americans in a 'red tide' (spiritual sign to 'Oiwi) are reaching out to senators to oppose SB 1011,
a measure that constitutes a great transgression, a HEWA, as native Hawaiians put it.

By the Akaka Bill, Kanaka Maoli will lose their lands – will lose their human, civil and political rights forever.

Hawaiians would be wards of the same U.S.of A. that commited an illegal act of war
against this peaceful nation 117 years ago.

The Akaka Bill will not resolve the illegal act of war- the same one they
apologized for in 1993.

Significantly, the Apology Bill signed by President Bill Clinton confirms that Kanaka Maoli never relinquished their sovereign rights.

What the Akaka Bill proposes to do to help Hawaii's indigenous people, in fact, does the exact opposite.

More people now understand - there was no lawful treaty of annexation - the U.S. violated
international treaties with the Hawaiian Kingdom. The U.S. illegally occupies Hawaii.

Queen Lili'uokalani, the last reigning sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands, never relinquished the claims of her people and used all her power as the sovereign to challenge America from 1893
through the end of her life.

Simultaneously, Kanaka Maoli, in supreme efforts to organize in their day, traveled throughout the islands to fill the Ku'e Petitions (anti-annexation petitions) with over 38,000 signatures of

Kanaka Maoli from Hawaii to Kaua'i.

Ongoing education
against
the Akaka Bill is led by living descendants of signators to the
original Ku'e Petitions, Hui Pu and Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic
Club, Kai
‘Ula Pono’i Texas Hawaiian Civic Club along with the Hawaiian
Independence
Action Alliance, the Pro-Kanaka Maoli Independence Working Group, Ka
Pakaukau,
Komike Tribunal, Hui o Na Ike, Koani Foundation, 'Ohana Koa, Nuclear
Free and
Independent Pacific - Hawai'i, Spiritual Nation of Kū - Hui Ea Council
of
Sovereigns, Living Nation, and
Settlers for Hawaiian Independence, Movement For Aloha No Ka 'Aina, The
Kanaka Council - Moku O Keawe as well as
the Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights.

Honolulu Advertiser

Army on Big Isle Still of Concern

Why hasn't the Pohakuloa Community Advisory Group (CoAG) met for seven months?

I welcomed the startup of CoAG, since I had given up after repeatedly requesting such a group through the Sierra Club eight years ago. Two years ago, the Army announced CoAG's startup at County Council, and invited me to join.

Pohakuloa Cmdr. Warline Richardson and staff person Steve Troute did a commendable job of recruiting members and listening to conflicting views during several meetings.

But the last meeting was canceled on less than a day's notice, and when I ask the Army about future meetings, no one replies.

Meanwhile, military actions continue to impact Hawaii Island. Decades-old military sites remain in hazardous condition. Unexploded ordnance turns up on land and in near-shore waters. Questions linger about depleted uranium and other forgotten hazards. Stryker training pre-empts thousands of acres of agricultural land. It brings noise, increased fire risk, soil compaction and erosion, and multiple construction projects that may destroy cultural sites. More military aircraft and more runways may impact Kona.

Why can't the Army find time for CoAG?