STOP THE AKAKA BILL!

WE THE UNDERSIGNED OPPOSE the Akaka bill, (HB.862, HB.1711, HB.2314, SB.381, SB.708, SB.1011) otherwise known as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 because -

Hawaiians are not an American tribe. We are not “Native Americans.” Hawaiians are people of islands far removed from the North American continent.

Hawaiians are in fact an inclusive group consisting of diverse peoples of many races and ethnic backgrounds.

The Akaka bill is being put forth without input or consent of the people of Hawai`i which would allow those affected to present testimony on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.

In 2000, only two days of hearings were held on O`ahu island. All other hearings were cancelled.

The current and past bills addressing the United States relationship with native Hawaiians to provide a process of recognition by the United States of the native Hawaiian governing entity were subsequently redrafted and amendments were added with no input or testimony from Hawaiians.

No hearings have ever been held in Hawai`i on the current legislation before the 2009 Congress.

The Hawaiian people seek the right to a fair and democratic process that includes hearings on these bills throughout the islands that comprise the state of Hawai`i.

For 9 years, Hawaiians have requested that the island wide hearings be rescheduled so that the hundreds of Hawaiians who want to testify can be included and their concerns heard.

The effort being pursued in the US Congress violates the most fundamental principles of democracy and human rights.

The Administration of President Barrack Obama came to office promising open government dedicated to truth and justice for all peoples.

We call upon the Obama Administration and Democrats in the US Congress to live with the integrity of their own words.

We call for Congressional committees to hold hearings on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act in Hawai`i to provide Hawaiians their right to participate in the process and to seek amendments to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.

THEREFORE WE THE UNDERSIGNED STRONGLY OPPOSE the Akaka bill in any of its forms (HB.862, HB.1711, HB.2314, SB.381, SB.708, SB.1011,) until Congressional hearings are scheduled and held in Hawai`i on all islands, and in all states on the US continent where a significant population of Hawaiians reside, in order to provide them the right to a democratic fair, free, and impartial process of self-determination and to empower them with the ability to determine the culturally appropriate mechanism for their own self-governance and future.

View Signatures without signing