Lingle, Groups Lobby Congress On Hawaiian Recognition
Sen. McCain Says He Won't Kill Akaka Bill
POSTED: 9:24 am HST March 1,
2005
UPDATED: 11:05 am HST March 2,
2005
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HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle and several leaders of Hawaiian groups testified Washington Tuesday morning on a bill for Native Hawaiian recognition.
They testified in front of a Senate Committee hearing the so-called Akaka Bill. Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain heads the committee. He replaced retired Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who had supported the bill.The governor's spokesman said she talked with McCain this week. Lingle's spokesman said that although the senator opposes the bill, McCain said he would not hold it up from moving forward.
Discuss Native Hawaiian RightsSen. Daniel Akaka reintroduced the bill in late January after it was shelved last year."Some have characterized this bill as race-based legislation as indigenous peoples. Native Hawaiians have never relinquished their inherent rights to sovereignty. We were a government that was overthrown," Akaka said on the Senate floor.The bill sets a basis for the creation of a Native Hawaiian government. Akaka said the bill gives Native Hawaiians the same rights as Native American Indians and Native Alaskans."It's not about any race preference its about treating them fairly as an indigenous. There are three groups of indigenous people and one of them is Native Hawaiians and they're the only group not officially recognized and so this is a very important bill," Lingle said."I really believe the Hawaiians have something to offer our country and the world because of the kind of culture that we have that brings people to work together," Akaka said.The 14-member committee on Indian Affairs is expected to vote on the bill sometime next week.
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WATCH REPORTDiscuss Native Hawaiian RightsSen. Daniel Akaka reintroduced the bill in late January after it was shelved last year."Some have characterized this bill as race-based legislation as indigenous peoples. Native Hawaiians have never relinquished their inherent rights to sovereignty. We were a government that was overthrown," Akaka said on the Senate floor.The bill sets a basis for the creation of a Native Hawaiian government. Akaka said the bill gives Native Hawaiians the same rights as Native American Indians and Native Alaskans."It's not about any race preference its about treating them fairly as an indigenous. There are three groups of indigenous people and one of them is Native Hawaiians and they're the only group not officially recognized and so this is a very important bill," Lingle said."I really believe the Hawaiians have something to offer our country and the world because of the kind of culture that we have that brings people to work together," Akaka said.The 14-member committee on Indian Affairs is expected to vote on the bill sometime next week. Previous Stories:
- February 22, 2005: Senate Committee Schedules Akaka Bill Hearing
- January 25, 2005: Akaka Reintroduces Hawaiian Rights Bill
- October 11, 2004: Senators Abandon Hawaiian Recognition Bill For 2004
- September 15, 2004: Akaka Bill Passes Out Of Congressional Committee
- August 25, 2004: Sen. Akaka To Undergo Ankle Surgery
- July 9, 2004: Hawaii Senators Battle To Keep Akaka Bill Alive
- July 8, 2004: Akaka Bill Suffers Setback
- February 24, 2003: Hawaiians Rally Against Akaka Bill
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