Supporters Urge OHA To Push For Akaka Bill
POSTED: 4:44 pm HST August 4, 2005
HONOLULU -- Supporters of Kamehameha Schools showed up at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Thursday to urge OHA trustees to keep working hard to get the Native Hawaiian Recognition Act passed.The Hawaiian community has been in an uproar ever since a federal appeals panel ruled 2-to-1 Tuesday to overturn Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy for being "unlawfully race-based."Supporters said passage of the so-called Akaka Bill is critical to help Kamehameha Schools retain its admissions preference for Hawaiians."We believed the Akaka Bill is the only mechanism which can establish for us a political relationship," said Rod Ferreira, of Imua Group."I come here to encourage you to continue your effort to see that the Akaka Bill becomes a reality," Native Hawaiian rights activist Charles Rose said.There were a few people who spoke against the Akaka Bill."The bill itself in the form that it is in, is not only unconstitutional, but it is not good for our people," said Umialiloa Sexton, of Hawaiian Coalition.OHA wants the Akaka bill passed to help Hawaiians in general and to protect itself from a pending lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks to abolish OHA and the Hawaiian Homelands Department.
Previous Stories:
- August 3, 2005: Law Expert Says Akaka Bill Critical To Kamehameha Case
- July 29, 2005: Majority Leader Moves To Force Debate On Akaka Bill
- July 25, 2005: Hawaii Leaders Scramble To Hold Akaka Bill Vote
- July 22, 2005: Senators To Spend Weekend Negotiating Akaka Bill
- July 21, 2005: Native Hawaiian Recognition Act's Future Uncertain
- July 20, 2005: Senator Puts Hold On Akaka Bill
- July 18, 2005: Akaka Bill Debate Stalled
- July 15, 2005: OHA Officials Prepare For Akaka Bill Hearings
- July 14, 2005: Akaka Bill Faces Critical Congressional Vote
- July 7, 2005: Hawaiian Group Wants OHA To Air Ads Against Akaka Bill
- March 31, 2005: Hawaii Congressional Leaders Optimistic About Akaka Bill
- March 2, 2005: Lingle, Groups Lobby Congress On Hawaiian Recognition
- January 25, 2005: Akaka Reintroduces Hawaiian Rights Bill
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