Reznet

Support for Sovereignty

By The Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP)—Most Hawaii residents support the Akaka bill granting federal recognition to Native Hawaiians, a recent poll commissioned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said.

The survey showed 70 percent of Hawaii respondents believe Hawaiians should be recognized by the United States as a distinct indigenous group in a manner similar to the way the federal government recognizes American Indians and Alaska Natives. Eighteen percent said no.

A narrow majority, or 51 percent, support the idea of setting up an entity to represent Native Hawaiians in dealings with the federal government, which is part of the bill.

The Akaka bill is designed to secure for Native Hawaiians the same self-governance rights held by American Indians and Alaska Natives.

It also would lay the foundation for a Native Hawaiian government responsible for managing about 2 million acres of former Hawaiian lands and $15 million per year in ceded land revenue.

Ward Research Inc., which was hired by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to conduct the poll, released the results last Tuesday.

The company interviewed 380 people statewide by telephone Aug. 15-27. The poll carries a statistical margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

OHA supports the bill named after its chief sponsor, Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii.

"Clearly the poll demonstrates that those who challenge the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act do not speak for the majority of Hawaii residents," OHA trustee Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said in a prepared release.

H. William Burgess, a vocal opponent of the Akaka Bill and programs giving preference to Native Hawaiians, said the poll is misleading. The Akaka bill would give Hawaiians even more rights than Native Americans and Alaska Natives, he said.

The poll "doesn't tell (the public) the main thing the Akaka bill does, that is to allow the creation of a separate government and giving away to that new government land, government authority, natural resources ... civil and criminal jurisdiction," Burgess said.

Ikaika Hussey, of Hui Pu, an umbrella organization of Hawaiian group opposing the Akaka Bill on the grounds that it doesn't go far enough in addressing the wrongs against Hawaiians, said the debate between the legislation's supporters and those like Burgess is too narrow.

"Self-determination includes all kinds of options, including the right to independence," Hussey said.

Like Burgess, Hussey said the poll questions were misleading.

Other poll findings include:

• 67 percent said they believe Hawaiians should have a right to make decisions about their land, education, health, cultural and traditional practices, and social policies; 22 percent said no.

• 83 percent support the continuation of federally funded programs for Hawaiians in the fields of health, education, employment, economic development and housing.

• 65 percent agree Kamehameha Schools and programs offered by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs should be protected with passage of a federal bill that recognizes Hawaiians as an indigenous people.

This story was written by the Associated Press.