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  • Comments on the Akaka Bill?

    Hello i am a Native Hawaiian College student in Chico, California. I am currently writting a thesis paper on the akaka bill i have done lots of research on this bill as well as the history of dispossesion my people have experienced what i do not have is other Hawaiians thoughts and opinons on the Akaka bill and i am putting this out there with out the predjudice of my own opinion. so i am asking everyone to reply and let me know "What do YOU think of the Akaka bill?"

  • #2
    Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

    I say pass it. And move on.

    We have more to lose without it than we have to gain with it. The one thing it squelches is full and complete independence -- but it's hard to lose something you couldn't realistically ever have.

    But what the hell do I know? Here are arguments for, and arguments against.

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    • #3
      Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

      Here is more against the Akaka Bill http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/
      Check out my blog on Kona issues :
      The Kona Blog

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      • #4
        Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

        Thank you for the pro and con argument websites but i have already seen these websites and have read nearly everything online pertaining to this bill. what i want to know is how do you think it will effect Native Hawaiians and do you think it will acheive the formation of a Hawaiian Nation? or is this another ploy by the U.S. government?


        Thank you to those who have replyed please continue to do so your comments are much appreciated!!

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        • #5
          Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

          I'm not sure, but it sounds as if you have a position in mind already ("the history of dispossesion my people have experienced"), and hence probably a clear idea of what you want to hear. I'm certain you can find it if you make it more clear. In other words, are you looking for people to bolster/reinforce that position or to provide "counterpoints" that you can then address and dismiss?

          Further, are you seeking the input of Native Hawaiians, or any person with an interest in the island (non-Hawaiian residents, or even former residents now living on the Mainland or abroad)? I don't know how many self-described Native Hawaiians populate this forum. There are other message boards on the web dedicated to Native Hawaiian culture that might prove more fruitful.
          how do you think it will effect Native Hawaiians and do you think it will acheive the formation of a Hawaiian Nation? or is this another ploy by the U.S. government?
          Interesting way to phrase the question. Well, I don't believe the Akaka Bill will "achieve the formation of a Hawaiian Nation" by design (specifically mooting claims to full independence), so if that's what someone wants, the Akaka Bill ain't the way to go. I imagine everyone who wants an independent Hawaiian nation already knows this.

          As for it being "another ploy by the U.S. government"? Well, as it is a bill before Congress, I suppose you could say it definitely is, insofar as any action by the government is a "ploy."

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          • #6
            Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

            well pzarquon that is what i was looking for! I want opinons. I am biased and I was not trying to use my bias in this but looks like mission was not accomplished. too bad but I do want opinons pro and con

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            • #7
              Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

              To me all it symbolizes is anoother bubble to fill out when taking a test, Instead of having to mark Asian Oacific islander we'll have our own little bubble.

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              • #8
                Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                The Hawai'i delegation to Congress now believes that that Akaka Bill has the best chance of passing, IF the concerns that a letter from the Justice Dept. outlined are remedied through modifications of the current bill. If the changes are made to the Bill, it would essentially water down the law so much that the kanaka maoli would get even less than their InDN brothers got through their treaty agreements 150 years ago.

                Two of the four issues are particularly onerous:

                If the amended bill passes, the kanaka maoli would have no say over where military bases could be built on their land, and the second more onerous provision says that the kanaka maoli could not engage in gambling as a way to support themselves. I don't gamble, but I know the tribes up here who have casinos do a booming business and are able to generate enough money to raise the standard of living for their people. By forcing this change to the bill, it will take away from the kanaka maoli a way for them to become self-sufficient. Same old same old white paternalistic BS: "Let us take care of you."

                The whole intent of the self-determination movement in Hawai'i is to allow the kanaka maoli to regain some of the rights they lost in 1898. If the bill is watered down in the way the government wants, it'll be as useful as the paper on which it's printed.

                Miulang
                Last edited by Miulang; July 14, 2005, 06:03 AM.
                "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

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                • #9
                  Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                  I don't see any reason why the "Native Hawaiians" recognized by this bill should be subject to restrictions that "Native Americans" are not.

                  So why can't they open a casino on their Hawaiian Reservation?

                  (Only slightly tongue-in-cheek.)

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                  • #10
                    Re: i would like some comments on the Akaka bill please

                    Originally posted by Pualeilani
                    "What do YOU think of the Akaka bill?"
                    thot i posted this but guess not:

                    Based on the information I have at this time, and as a kama'aina, I am against the Akaka bill for these reasons:

                    The Akaka bill makes the Department of the Interior the lead agency responsible for all policies that affect Native Hawaiian resources, rights and lands..

                    The Department of the Interior has been deemed an "unfit trustee" by a US federal court and its lead officials cited for contempt of court by a federal judge. Over 40 million acres and about $137 billion are missing right now in Indian assets. I do not believe kama'aina wants that to happen to Hawaiian lands and money.

                    In the last 5 years, officials of the department have destroyed documents, disobeyed court orders, and lied to the court, repeatedly in cases that seek to account for Indian money and land for which the Department of the interior is responsible. For court papers and documentation see www.indiantrust.com

                    The Akaka bill requires the Hawaiian constitution to contain language that gives the officials of the governing entity the authority to permanently settle Hawaiian claims for reparations, reinstated independence, land, damages from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and all other Hawaiian claims without the approval of Hawaiian voters.

                    What this means is; so-called leaders of a Native Hawaiian governing entity under the Akaka bill can decide basic issues that affect the kanaka maoli and their 'ohana directly, such as receiving money for damages relating to stolen land and the illegal overthrow. Additonally, kanaka maoli will not be allowed to say a single word about the decisions these new bureaucrats will make for them.

                    The Akaka bill installs a racial definition of "Hawaiian" where no such definition ever existed in Hawaii outside of U.S. law.

                    In other words, foreigners will "help" Hawaiians decide who is Hawaiian and who isn't. Would you want strangers to have that power?

                    The Akaka bill defines Hawaiians living today as the descendants of pre western contact aboriginal native people rather than descendants; subjects of the kingdom of Hawaii, severely damaging Hawaiian's rights to land title in the Hawaiian Islands. Federal law limits the rights of aboriginal people to the right to use and occupy land but not to own it or sell it as aboriginal people . A blanket claims settlement will end even these limited rights as it has for scores of tribes since 1970.

                    What this means is that Hawaiians will, in effect, be saying to the US federal government, "you were right to come in and overthrow our Queen.You may have all our land that you stole. We don't want it back. You know what's best for Hawaiians more than Hawaiians do. And we give up forever our right to sue the US government if it doesn't keep its word with Hawaiians."

                    The Akaka bill makes restored Hawaiian independence unlawful. Title 25 of the United States code prohibits Indian Tribes, and federally recognized Alaskans and Hawaiians by extension, from being recognized as independent Nations: 25 USC chapter 3 subchapter I Sec 71: "No Indian nation or tribe within the territory of the United States shall be acknowledged or recognized as an independent nation, tribe, or power. . ."

                    Stop and think - can you name even one Indian tribe than received US federal recognition and then went on to become independent ? You can not, because it never happened! The reason the US government wants to pass the Akaka bill is to try to stop Hawaiian rights in its tracks!

                    The Akaka bill creates a permanent political relationship in which Hawaiians are subordinate to the United States forever.
                    Under the Akaka bill, Hawaiians will have the legal status of wards of the US federal government. Did you know that prisoners currently incarcerated in US federal prisons are also wards of the US federal government? Hawaiians do not see themselves as criminals. Why would Hawaiians want to be lumped in the same legal classification with them? They will be under the Akaka bill!

                    Finally, the Akaka bill will ensure litigation in courts in the years ahead caused by a poor definition of the rights Hawaiians can expect under US federal law.

                    If you think lawsuits are coming fast and furious at Hawaiians now, just wait! Hawaiians will be forced to spend enormous amounts of money to defend their so-called "rights" in the Akaka bill if it passes. And guess where those suits will eventually end up? That's right, in the hands of an increasingly anti-Indian, and therefore anti-Hawaiian US Supreme Court.

                    The Akaka bill does not guarantee that Hawaiian federal entitlements will be protected.

                    When was the last time Hawaiians trusted US bureaucrats to do the right thing for Hawaiians and the US actually did it?

                    The US federal government is trying to contain Hawaiians just like they did a century ago by saying then, "you'd better accept annexation because it's the best deal you're going to get." They were lying to Hawaiians then and they are lying now!

                    Did it turn out to be a good deal? Have Hawaiians gotten their nation and lands back?
                    Not on your life. The Akaka Bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
                    Last edited by kimo55; July 14, 2005, 10:40 AM.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                      Reparations could have been easily taken care of via the addition of Casino gambling. This bill doesnt allow it.

                      The Native American Indians have reaped the benefits of casino gambling on the mainland, I think at least 47 states have casino gambling on Indian land in one form or the other. In Phoenix literally there are casino gambling conducted in large constructed teepees if that isnt stereotypical I dont know what is!

                      One of these days casino gambling will come to the islands and I hope its limited to say Lanai, so everyone is forced to spend money to fly or take a boat there, which would slightly lessen the impulse people would have say had Oahu or Maui having one.

                      KalihiBoy

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                      • #12
                        Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                        If the kanaka maoli were allowed to build casinos on their ceded land, would people from Hawai'i need to travel to Lost Wages as often? I mean, think of how much money the State could keep in Hawai'i from people not having to fly to LV and stay in hotels! The kanaka maoli might even be generous and give the State some of the revenues (like an eency amount for taxes on their revenue).

                        It would be a win-win-win situation: the kanaka maoli would be able to generate revenues to help their own people, the State could get some tax money (only if the kanaka maoli were in a generous mood), and the gamblers could spend at least another 600-$1000 right at home instead of in LV. With Trump coming to town and that new circus in Waikiki, you have the beginnings of another Sin City! Mainland tourists would eat it up! Just don't give the liquor inspectors handguns.

                        Miulang
                        "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

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                        • #13
                          Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                          Remember: "What happens in Hawai'i, stays in Hawai'i!"

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                          • #14
                            Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                            not if it involves
                            MWH

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                            • #15
                              Re: Comments on the Akaka Bill?

                              Originally posted by kimo55
                              not if it involves
                              MWH
                              hahahahaha! Be nice, Kimo. There might also be an increased need for psychologists and psychiatrists and "Gamblers Anonymous" chapters. But if you don't go to the casinos, it doesn't cost you anything either. On the reservations up here, they also allow the tribes to sell cigarettes tax-free and fireworks, which are banned in most cities now.

                              Miulang
                              "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

                              Comment

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