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AKAKA BILL PREVIEW - INDIAN TRIBE KICKS OUT MEMBERS - KEEPS $$$

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 22, 2009 at 12:00am
San Francisco Chronicle - April 20, 2008Mary Martinez sat on the grinding rocks of her ancestors - giant boulders with holes used for thousands of years to crush acorns."This is where my grandmother used to sit, pounding acorns to make flour in the old ways," she said, closing her eyes to let the memories seep in. "I ground the flour, too, like my grandmother's mother and her mother before her."It's what you do as an Indian. I am a Chukchansi Indian," she said.She is - and she isn't.The 77-year-old Martinez has been kicked out of the Picayune Chukchansi tribe in the tiny Madera County town of Coarsegold - the tribe where she was vice chairwoman just two years ago, the tribe that is full of her cousins.The tribal council threw her out last year, just as it has tossed out almost half its membership that in 2000 was 1,500 strong. It's the biggest disenrollment of any tribe in California, observers say....Read Entire Article Here
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NEW POLL SHOWS MAJORITY AGAINST AKAKA BILL

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 21, 2009 at 12:00am
A Zogby International poll released last Tuesday found that only 34 percent of Hawaiians support the Akaka Bill, while 51 percent oppose it and 15 percent aren't sure. Of those who do have an opinion, 60 percent are opposed.A clear majority, 58 percent, want to see the state hold a referendum on the issue, while 28 percent are opposed to a vote and 13 percent aren’t sure....
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Slavery in Hawaii

Posted by Kaapuikinaea on December 20, 2009 at 10:30am
Stumbled across a website, basically where anyone can contribue stories. Someone decided to write a story about Slavery in Hawaii, posing the question of Hawaii ever had African Slaves.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/198245/slavery_in_hawaii_did_hawaii_ever_have.htmlThe article doesn't really focus on that, but the writer decided to outline a timeline regarding Hawaii's kauwa or "servant" class which is always interpreted by westerners as a slave.I replied pointing out a few things, but one in particular which bothers me whenever people try to cite sources, sometimes they don't get it right. I've seen it before and it happened in this article. The person wrote:1870 it was published locally, "Today, with the breaking down of class barriers, members of the slave class are indistinguishable from the ruling classes." (Kepelino, 142-147; Kamakau, Ke Au Okoa, November 3, 1870.)I corrected that person saying that passage actually comes from a book called "Hawaiian Mythology" by Martha Beckwith & even cited the page number. That they quoted only a part of the very first sentence, and in that long paragraph, Beckwith quoted a few words from Kepelino's "Traditions of Hawaii" but that she also cited Samuel M. Kamakau's article which was printed in the newspaper - Ke Au Okoa dated November 3, 1870.I'm sick & tired of people trying to paint a particular image of Hawaiians. It's really bad when they try to look authentic and credible by citing sources but it's done incorrectly and in most cases, it comes from non-Hawaiians. Apparently a Hawaiian perspective (or any indigenous person for that matter) aren't credible enough, in which sometimes they like to cite academics, but the problem is not all academics may have done their research thoroughly as it was done in this article.
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CAUGHT IN THE ACT ON "VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`I'S FUTURE"

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 20, 2009 at 12:00am
This last week saw an amazing drama unfold in Hawai`i and Washington, DC.It started early Monday morning with an Akaka Bill Sneak Attack protest in downtown Honolulu, after it was learned senator Dan Inouye planned to sneak the bill into other legislation and get it passed lest anyone become aware.Word of the protest spread, quickly reaching Washington, causing Inouye to issue an angry denial. Then the senator was forced three times in two days to admit embarrassing communication breakdowns after fake state Hawai`i governor Linda Lingle came out against the Akaka bill.Not only did events seem to take everyone’s breath away, but many wondered what was going on. Why were these seasoned politicians behaving in such a bizarre manner? Why was OHA so silent? And what was the head of the Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement doing at the White House?Don’t miss Free Hawai`i TV this coming Wednesday where we put all the pieces together. We’ll tell you who the players are, what they’re trying to do, and what you can do to stop it.We have a fascinating new Voices Of Truth this week featuring Kuhio Vogeler. Kuhio wondered if Hawai`i had any precedent to follow for ending the illegal US occupation and regaining independence.Much to his surprise he found three recent examples. Who are they? What did they do? And were they successful? Find out all this and more this week on Hawai`i’s award winning Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future.MONDAY, December 21st At 6:30 PM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53MONDAY, December 21st At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, December 25th At 5:30 PM – Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53THURSDAY, December 24th At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, December 25th At 8:30 AM - Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52SATURDAY, December 26th At 8:00 PM – O`ahu, `Olelo, Channel 53“Model For Freedom – A Visit With Kuhio Vogeler “Is there another country like Hawai`i under prolonged illegal occupation but one which regained its freedom? Political scientist Kuhio Vogeler was amazed to discover three Baltic State countries that actually did. Kuhio tells of his journey there interviewing former heads of state and parliament members learning how they regained independence, and the five steps Hawai`i’s must achieve to do the same. – Watch It HereVoices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.If you support our issues on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network, please email this to a friend to help us continue. A donation today helps further our work. Every single penny counts.Donating is easy on our Voices Of Truth website via PayPal where you can watch Voices Of Truth anytime.For news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV, a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.
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AKAKA BILL - INOUYE'S FAILED BACKROOM PLOY

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 19, 2009 at 7:33am
Senator Inouye blustered, “I have never suggested that the Akaka Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill be passed and adopted as part of the defense appropriations process. I don’t know where this nonsensical suggestion originated.” This “nonsensical suggestion” actually springs from the reputation, track record and modus operandi of Senator Inouye. He is famous for (and even proud of) his uncanny skill to work the system, tacking on various and sundry earmarks to unrelated appropriations bills.That’s how he brings home the pork (and lots of it) year after year. Inouye’s instant and strong denial was like that of someone caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Why such a vehement denial? I think we hit a nerve. As Shakespeare put it: ’Methinks thou doth protest too much.’ Surprise, surprise! The very next day, we learn the governor is miffed about being excluded from back-room secret talks on amendments to the Akaka bill.Welcome to the club governor. Now you know how the people of Hawaii have felt for the past 10 years, being left out of the process in this classic example of back-room politics. The Akaka bill epitomizes Inouye’s crafty, “nonsensical” style.Leon Siu Aiea, O`ahu
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AKAKA BILL HEARINGS IN HAWAI`I CALLED FOR

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 18, 2009 at 12:00am
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - December 15, 2009Opponents of federal recognition for native Hawaiians are urging Hawaii's congressional delegation to hold hearings in Hawaii on the latest version of the Akaka Bill, which is being discussed in Congress this week."The only hearing on this bill in Hawaii was 10 years ago on Oahu," said Ehu Cardwell, a spokesman for the Koani Foundation, a sovereignty group that opposes the legislation."Since then there have been no hearings -- not one -- in Hawaii. There have been so many iterations of it we don't know what's in this bill," he added. "We want the opportunity to give him feedback."The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, better known as the Akaka Bill, is scheduled for a markup tomorrow in the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Thursday.The foundation organized a rally at the state Capitol yesterday to protest what it said was a potential "sneak attack" by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.Opponents alleged that Inouye would try to insert the legislation into a separate defense appropriations bill, or some other piece of legislation, coming up for votes this week in Congress -- denying a proper public discussion of the proposal.Inouye, in a statement released by his office, said he had no intention of attaching the Akaka Bill onto other legislation, calling the notion "nonsensical.""I don't know where this nonsensical suggestion originated," Inouye said. "The Akaka Bill for the past many years has been considered under what we call the regular order. It has had hours upon hours of hearings, many, many revisions and amendments and has gone through the scrutiny of three administrations."We have had hearings in Washington and in Hawaii. It is not a measure that has been shepherded in the dark of the night. It has been fully transparent."The Akaka Bill would allow for the formation of a governing body for native Hawaiians, similar to that of American Indians, to negotiate with state and federal governments over land and other resources.Protest organizers said they still are hopeful to have the bill vetted further."We thank Sen. Inouye for his statement and accept his word the Akaka Bill will not be attached to any other legislation," said Leon Siu, one of the protest organizers. "Maybe now the senator will actually hold open congressional hearings on the bill in Hawaii in 2010 and find out what people really think about this legislation."I can tell you this: It will be an eye-opener."
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U.S. Senate committee passes Akaka bill

Posted by Jose( Koke ) J Castillo on December 17, 2009 at 3:51pm
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/79572837.htmlBy Associated PressPOSTED: 01:31 p.m. HST, Dec 17, 2009A Senate committee has unanimously passed legislation to let native Hawaiians establish their own government. The new government would operate much like those formed by Indian tribes.Sad to say; That just like the " Indian Tribes " -- Treaties -- Hawaiians can expect the same . Only thing remaining is to designate a Reservation area - Island ??
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US Senate Committee Passes Akaka Bill !

Posted by J. D'Alba on December 17, 2009 at 12:24pm
December 17, 2009Akaka bill passes Senate committee, heads to full Senate vote next yearPrint this page E-mail this article ShareBy ERIN KELLYGannett Washington BureauWASHINGTON – The Senate Indian Affairs Committee today approved a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill, clearing the way for the legislation to come to a vote in the full Senate next year."I respectfully ask that the committee pass this bill in the interest of this generation and future generations of Native Hawaiians," Sen. Daniel Akaka, the bill's main sponsor, asked the panel minutes before the unanimous voice vote. "It is so critical and important to all people of the State of Hawaii."The vote came just one day after a companion bill was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. That bill is expected to pass the full House next year. However, its fate in the Senate is uncertain. Previous attempts to pass the bill have stalled there when supporters were unable to garner the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.Akaka's spokesman, Jesse Broder Van Dyke, said the senator sees this session of Congress as the best chance yet to pass the bill.Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents make up 60 votes. Also, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska supports the legislation."Sen. Akaka isn't taking any votes for granted, but he's optimistic," Van Dyke said.The bill approved today by the Senate committee includes an amendment that Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, dropped from the House version Wednesday because of objections from Gov. Linda Lingle and state Attorney General Mark Bennett.The amendment grants governing authority to Hawaiians prior to — instead of after — negotiations with the federal and state governments and would treat Native Hawaiians as an Indian tribe in some cases.Akaka said he spoke to Lingle this morning and would continue to work with her and Bennett to resolve their concerns before the bill comes before the full Senate.
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And the WATERS GET EVEN MUDDIER...it's a wonder we can still see clearly.

Posted by Donna Burns on December 17, 2009 at 9:16am
This is what's happening to us...offshore.---------------Native Hawaiian bill moves ahead without revision that upset stateBy JOHN YAUKEY and DERRICK DePLEDGEAdvertiser Government WritersWASHINGTON — A Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill moved forward in the House yesterday without the proposed changes that have drawn opposition from Gov. Linda Lingle.The bill, which creates a process for Hawaiians to form their own government similar to American Indians and Alaska Natives, was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee and now goes to the full House.Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, chose not to offer an amendment to the bill that had prompted objections from Lingle and state Attorney General Mark Bennett. The amendment would have granted governing authority to Hawaiians prior to — instead of after — negotiations with the federal and state governments and would have treated Hawaiians as an Indian tribe in some cases.Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, the bill's main sponsor, will decide whether to offer the amendment when the bill comes before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee today.The sudden opposition by the Lingle administration, which has previously supported the Akaka bill, led to confusion about how the proposed changes were developed and questions about why the state was not fully consulted.Abercrombie said on Tuesday night that he was surprised the state received the proposed changes only in the past few days.Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, issued an even stronger statement yesterday. "The events of the past 24 hours were totally unexpected," he said. "I was very surprised."I was not aware that the revisions to the bill being discussed between Sen. Akaka's office and President Obama's administration were not shared with Gov. Linda Lingle. I am in the process of trying to determine what happened and the best course forward."Jesse Broder Van Dyke, a spokesman for Akaka, said the Obama administration worked on the draft of the proposed changes. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and the Native Hawaiian Bar Association also had input.The amendment was not finalized until last week, he said, and the text was not widely released until Monday.Even if Akaka chooses to abandon the amendment today, he said, negotiations with the Obama administration would continue as the bill moves to the House and Senate floors.The episode is the first real crack in the otherwise unified front on the Akaka bill between Democrats in the Hawai'i congressional delegation and the Republican governor.closing ranksHawai'i lawmakers, who wanted the bill to have an easy path, now have to do some damage control."The bill approved by the committee today was as I introduced it earlier this year, without change or amendment," Abercrombie said in a statement after the committee vote. "We will be working with the state of Hawai'i and the Obama administration to determine the best way to proceed."House Republicans, who question whether the Akaka bill is constitutional because it divides people by race, also claimed partial victory."It was the correct course of action for Democrats to abandon their rush to adopt the proposed changes to the Akaka bill at today's hastily scheduled markup," Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., the ranking member of the committee, said in a statement."With both the attorney general and governor of Hawai'i announcing their strong opposition to the proposed revisions to this bill, moving forward would have been irresponsible and highly alarming."Bennett said he was pleased by Abercrombie's decision. He said the Lingle administration is prepared to work with Hawai'i lawmakers and the Obama administration to address any concerns about the bill."Our support for it is undiminished by the recent events," he said.challenge in senateThe House has passed versions of the Akaka bill twice since it was first introduced in 2000. But the bill has always faced problems in the Senate, where opponents can use procedural tools to delay bills until 60 of the chamber's 100 senators agree to move forward.The Akaka bill could rewrite the political landscape in Hawai'i, potentially giving Native Hawaiians greater rights over land use and cultural issues, including control over 1.8 million acres annexed by the United States in 1898.The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs and many Hawaiians support the bill as a measure of self-determination for an indigenous people, but some Hawaiians believe it would weaken claims of sovereignty.Other opponents of the legislation, including many conservatives, say the bill challenges the American principle of equality and opens the door to political volatility among Native Hawaiians.In 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice under President Bush argued the Akaka bill would "divide people by their race."Justice Department officials from the Obama administration have been negotiating with the Hawai'i delegation about fine points in the bill, but the department has supported the bill.Akaka has said he expects he will need 60 votes in the Senate to eventually pass the bill."It looks like that's the route we'll have to go," he said.John Yaukey reported from Washington, D.C. Derrick DePledge reported from Honolulu. Reach Yaukey at jyaukey@gannett.com.
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GOVERNOR SAYS "A`OLE!" TO AKAKA BILL

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 17, 2009 at 6:27am
GOVERNOR SAYS "NO!" TO AKAKA BILLAssociated Press - Dec 16, 2009Gov. Linda Lingle strongly opposes proposed changes to legislation in Congress that would grant federal recognition to native Hawaiians, state Attorney General Mark Bennett said yesterday.In a letter to the ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, Bennett said he and Lingle have long supported the so-called Akaka Bill, named after US Sen. Daniel Akaka, the measure's chief sponsor.But he said changes proposed by US Rep. Neil Abercrombie to the House version of the bill would unacceptably alter the relationships between federal and state governments and the native Hawaiian governing entity the measure would create."This creates a whole set of unknowns," Bennett said in an interview yesterday. "We welcome an opportunity to have a discussion (about) the changes and the impact, but were never afforded that."
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VIDEOS OF THE ONLY AKAKA BILL HEARINGS...

Posted by Donna Burns on December 16, 2009 at 6:22pm
A guy named Ken O'Keefe did 15 videos on Hawaiian Issues. Ten are posted here. Go to You Tube and type in: The United States of Hypocrisy" to view the last 5 (I got lazy). He is a very interesting person who also was on the ship that was attacked by the Israeli's as it tried to go to the Gaza Strip to give those who needed it...medical supplies. He goes by 1worldcitizen. A MUST SEE: Please share EVERYWHERE.Donna----------------------1.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRXF64YotE2.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NHXJwGj1hw3.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I_k4MBYSvQ4.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1gzM_fTXJs5....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIL95fNbrSw6.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUnoPWCHsZU7.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZqJBaLeDvw8.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eocbSUO89k9.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzjC8yBvk10....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc6ICLzwS_Y
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Kehaulani critiques the Akaka Bill and the dangers set within it

Posted by Tane on December 16, 2009 at 8:00am
Kehaulani critiques the Akaka Bill and the dangers set within it:Aloha kakou-Some of our people are rightly asking about the need for public hearingson the Akaka bill.The Hawaii U.S. Congressional delegation held that ONE 5-day hearing backin 2000!Since then, the legislative proposal has changed in many serious ways--it's a very different bill now, most especially since the earliestversions actually DID provide for a Native Hawaiian governing entity to be"on par" with how the U.S. government allows tribal nations to exercisetheir self-determination. But that has since changed. In the latestversions, the bill DOES NOT EVEN ALLOW THAT MUCH.1) UNLIKE WHAT IS ALLOWED FOR FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBAL NATIONS, THENEWEST PROPOSALS FOR THE AKAKA BLL SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT *NOTHING* INTHE STATE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL LAWS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHANGE. This is verydifferent from any other form of federal recognition since tribal nationsare NOT subject to state law! The Akaka bill says the Native Hawaiiangoverning entity WILL be subject to ALL state laws.2) UNLIKE what the U.S. government allows for tribal nations, THE AKAKABILL WILL NOT ALLOW THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNING ENTITY TO PUT ANY LANDUNDER U.S. FEDERAL TRUST. The process of having land held in U.S. federaltrust is a CORE CONDITION for tribal nations to assert jurisdiction overtheir reservation lands.To give an example, when legal challenges were made against an AlaskaNative village (1998 Venetie case) that owned their own land as acorporation (much like OHA claims to own lands in its corporateportfolio), the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Venetiecould NOT assert ANY jurisdiction over their own lands because they arenot held in U.S. federal trust. IN OTHER WORDS, THE U.S. GOVERNMENTREQUIRES THAT TRIBAL LANDS BE HELD UNDER FEDERAL SUPERVISION BEFOREANY TRIBAL NATION/NATIVE GOVERNING ENTITY CAN ASSERT "SOVEREIGNTY"OVER THEM! This, of course, is a complete contradiction in term (i.e. tobe "sovereign" they are required to be "dependent").NEITHER OF THESE TWO STIPULATIONS WERE IN THE EARLIER BILLS. These twostipulations change the nature of the bill ENTIRELY. That is to say thateven for Kanaka who support "federal recognition" and WANT the status of atribal nation, THIS BILL WON'T EVEN GIVE THEM THAT!This alone should be ENOUGH TO HAMMER THE BILL since it is not what itpurports to be. We can expose that without even getting into the assertionof the existence of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the independence claim. Inother words, OHA is telling average "Kanaka-Joe" (like my own father,Joseph Kauanui III who heard their dog & poney show in California a coupleyears back and was persuaded by them until I undid that pack of lies theytold at the time that federal recognition could be a "first step" toHawaiian indpendence) that this bill will give our people the right to"reorganized" as a Native Hawaiian governing entity and assert ourselveslike a tribal nation. THAT IS PATENTLY FALSE.Mahalo, Kehaulani
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FREE HAWAI`I TV - "AKAKA BILL SNEAK ATTACK"

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 16, 2009 at 7:12am
FREE HAWAI`I TVTHE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK"AKAKA BILL SNEAK ATTACK"It Was The Sneak This Week That Inouye Schemed To Employ.Into Other Legislation Put The Akaka Bill, But Someone Let The Plan Spill.People Took To The Streets Fast To Make Sure It Didn't Pass.Were They Able To Beat Back The Sneak Attack?Is The Bill Still Alive? Will It Survive?Watch & Find Out.Then Send This Video To One Other Person Today.
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UPDATE PAO'O, LAPAKAHI PIECE, 1/2 of KAIHOLENA AND MAHUKONA

Posted by HALE O KEAWE-A-HEULU aka: NAIHE on December 16, 2009 at 5:30am
GOOD NEWS SINCE LAST FRIDAY THRU THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK:The Legacy Land Commission ranked Pao'o #1 out of the 10 applications for funding presented to them on Monday, Dec. 7. This assures that the County's application for $945,000 will be recommended for approval. Ken Van Bergen, Property Manager for the County of Hawaii confirmed that the County ranked Pao'o #2... and maybe is now #1 because of some complications in the negotiations and appraisals with the Kawa'a Bay parcel which was ranked #1. He confirmed that the County committed $960.000 to purchase the Pao'o parcel and summarized the County's application for the matching funds of $945,000 which would allow the County to meet the price of $1.905,000 negotiated between them and the owner.Trust for Public Lands (TPL) application for matching funds to acquire the Lapakahi piece (Reisch's parcel) was ranked #1 nationwide for the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. TPL requested $1.25 million as matching funds for the $1.25 million which we secured via the State Legacy Land Conservation Program. We were able to provide supportive Kohala style community-based testimony when they met a few months ago. Hopefully, the Pao'o funds will be further approved by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President then the Board of Land and Natural Resources and finally the Governor. And hopefully, all the work that went into acquiring Lapakahi and Pao'o can be repeated and sustained for Kaiholena and for other areas in Kohala ie: Kanamee? Kukuipahu?Hapu'u? Kapanaia?County of Hawaii has secured funds for 1/2 of Kaiholena (3 of 6 parcels on the North side of the area) it's now in escrow. The link provided is a sample of the area I'm talking about. We wanted the entire area, but we'll take what we can for now....SMILE http://kaiholenanorth.com/MAHUKONA DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGED http://www.nhlchi.org/highlights9.htm
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DO YOU BELIEVE THIS MAN?

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 15, 2009 at 7:39am
“I have never suggested that the Akaka Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill be passed and adopted as part of the defense appropriations process. I don’t know where this nonsensical suggestion originated. The Akaka Bill for the past many years has been considered under what we call the regular order. It has had hours upon hours of hearings, many, many revisions and amendments and has gone through the scrutiny of three administrations. We have had hearings in Washington and in Hawaii.It is not a measure that has been shepherded in the dark of the night. It has been fully transparent." - Sen. Daniel InouyeThen Why Only One Hearing In Hawai`i Ten Years Ago, Senator?Are You Afraid Of What We Really Think Of The Akaka Bill?
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Monsanto Seeds - AP Investigation

Posted by J. D'Alba on December 14, 2009 at 6:54pm
AN AP INVESTIGATION: Monsanto seed business role revealedST. LOUIS (AP) — Confidential contracts detailing Monsanto Co.’s business practices reveal how the world’s biggest seed developer is squeezing competitors, controlling smaller seed companies and protecting its dominance over the multibillion-dollar market for genetically altered crops, an Associated Press investigation has found.With Monsanto’s patented genes being inserted into roughly 95 percent of all soybeans and 80 percent of all corn grown in the U.S., the company also is using its wide reach to control the ability of new biotech firms to get wide distribution for their products, according to a review of several Monsanto licensing agreements and dozens of interviews with seed industry participants, agriculture and legal experts.Declining competition in the seed business could lead to price hikes that ripple out to every family’s dinner table. That’s because the corn flakes you had for breakfast, soda you drank at lunch and beef stew you ate for dinner likely were produced from crops grown with Monsanto’s patented genes.Monsanto’s methods are spelled out in a series of confidential commercial licensing agreements obtained by the AP.The contracts, as long as 30 pages, include basic terms for the selling of engineered crops resistant to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, along with shorter supplementary agreements that address new Monsanto traits or other contract amendments.The company has used the agreements to spread its technology — giving some 200 smaller companies the right to insert Monsanto’s genes in their separate strains of corn and soybean plants.But, the AP found, access to Monsanto’s genes comes at a cost, and with plenty of strings attached.For example, one contract provision bans independent companies from breeding plants that contain both Monsanto’s genes and the genes of any of its competitors, unless Monsanto gives prior written permission — giving Monsanto the ability to effectively lock out competitors from inserting their patented traits into the vast share of U.S. crops that already contain Monsanto’s genes.Monsanto’s business strategies and licensing agreements are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and at least two state attorneys general, who are trying to determine if the practices violate U.S. antitrust laws.The practices also are at the heart of civil antitrust suits filed against Monsanto by its competitors, including a 2004 suit filed by Syngenta AG that was settled with an agreement and ongoing litigation filed this summer by DuPont in response to a Monsanto lawsuit.The suburban St. Louis-based agricultural giant said it’s done nothing wrong.“We do not believe there is any merit to allegations about our licensing agreement or the terms within,” said Monsanto spokesman Lee Quarles.“Our approach to licensing (with) many companies is pro-competitive and has enabled literally hundreds of seed companies, including all of our major direct competitors, to offer thousands of new seed products to farmers,” he said.The benefit of Monsanto’s technology for farmers has been undeniable, but some of its major competitors and smaller seed firms claim the company is using strong-arm tactics to further its control.“We now believe that Monsanto has control over as much as 90 percent of (seed genetics). This level of control is almost unbelievable,” said Neil Harl, agricultural economist at Iowa State University who has studied the seed industry for decades.“The upshot of that is that it’s tightening Monsanto’s control, and makes it possible for them to increase their prices long term. And we’ve seen this happening the last five years, and the end is not in sight.”At issue is how much power one company can have over seeds, the foundation of the world’s food supply. Without stiff competition, Monsanto could raise its seed prices at will, which in turn could raise the cost of everything from animal feed to wheat bread and cookies.The price of seeds is already rising. Monsanto increased some corn seed prices last year by 25 percent, with an additional 7 percent hike planned for corn seeds in 2010.Monsanto brand soybean seeds climbed 28 percent last year and will be flat or up 6 percent in 2010, said company spokeswoman Kelli Powers.Monsanto’s broad use of licensing agreements has made its biotech traits among the most widely and rapidly adopted technologies in farming history. These days, when farmers buy bags of seed with obscure brand names like AgVenture or M-Pride Genetics, they are paying for Monsanto’s licensed products.One of the numerous provisions in the licensing agreements is a ban on mixing genes — or “stacking” in industry lingo — that enhance Monsanto’s power.One contract provision likely helped Monsanto buy 24 independent seed companies throughout the Farm Belt over the last few years: that corn seed agreement said that if a smaller company changes ownership, its inventory with Monsanto’s traits “shall be destroyed immediately.”Another provision from contracts earlier this decade— regarding rebates — also help explain Monsanto’s rapid growth as it rolled out new products.One contract gave an independent seed company deep discounts if the company ensured that Monsanto’s products would make up 70 percent of its total corn seed inventory.The Monsanto contracts reviewed by the AP prohibit seed companies from discussing terms, and Monsanto has the right to cancel deals and wipe out the inventory of a business if the confidentiality clauses are
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SUCCESS! - AKAKA BILL PROTEST STOPS SNEAK ATTACK!

Posted by Free Hawai`i on December 14, 2009 at 2:07pm
SUCCESS! - AKAKA BILL PROTEST STOPS SNEAK ATTACK!Hawai`i senator Daniel Inouye reacted to this morning’s Akaka bill protest in Honolulu by denying he planned to sneak the Akaka bill into a US federal appropriations bill in order to get it passed into law.“I have never suggested that the Akaka Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill be passed and adopted as part of the defense appropriations process. I don’t know where this nonsensical suggestion originated,“ stated the senator.“Our sources in Washington say otherwise,” remarked Leon Siu, one of the protest coordinators. “Besides, if he wasn’t planning to do it, why did he need to deny it?” asks Siu. “I think we hit a nerve. As Shakespeare put it: ’Methinks thou doth protest too much...”Over one hundred protestors gathered at the corner of Beretania and Punchbowl streets this morning holding signs and drawing public attention to Inouye’s well-established track record of using the “back-door” approach to getting legislation passed in Washington, DC. The Akaka bill would benefit a select few while disenfranchising the majority of Hawai`i’s citizens.“We thank Senator Inouye for his statement and accept his word the Akaka bill will not be attached to any other legislation,” remarked Siu. “Maybe now the senator will actually hold open congressional hearings on the bill in Hawai`i in 2010 and find out what people really think about this legislation. I can tell you this – it will be an eye-opener.”The Akaka bill, formally known as the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2009 would reclassify native Hawaiians as Native Americans.Federal recognition has been a disaster historically for native peoples in the US who, under the grossly incompetent administration of the US Department of Interior, end up reclassified as wards of the federal government.As recently as last week, the Blackfoot tribe of Montana settled a long-standing lawsuit with the US federal government for pennies on the dollar after the US Department of Interior mismanaged, lost and stole billions of dollars of Blackfoot Nation resources and funds.
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KUE: The AKaKa BILL 'Sneak Attack"

Posted by Pomaikaiokalani on December 14, 2009 at 12:33am
Sunday, December 13, 2009Protest planned tomorrow against Akaka bill 'sneak attack'Comments(22)RecommendPrint this page E-mail this article Share Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit NewsvineBuzz up!Twitter Advertiser StaffMore than 100 people are expected tomorrow morning to protest efforts by Hawai'i's two U.S. senators to insert the so-called Akaka bill into one of the federal appropriations bills coming up next, according to a spokesman for the Koani Foundation, which calls the effort a "sneak attack."U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, is planning to insert the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 into the Defense Appropriations Bill or one of several others coming before Congress this week, according to Ehu Cardwell, spokesman for the Koani Foundation.The effort would virtually guarantee passage of the Akaka bill through a "back-door" tactic, thus circumventing any public review or input, Cardwell said in a statement today.Protestors will gather at 7 a.m. tomorrow by the state Capitol.
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