November 20, 2009: Attorney Paul M. Sullivan has updated his 65-page monograph analyzing the Akaka bill, including cartoons by Daryl Cagle. "Killing Aloha" -- The 'Akaka Bill' is wrong for Native Hawaiians, wrong for the State of Hawai'i and wrong for the United States. Here's why." It can be downloaded in pdf format at
http://bigfiles90.angelfire.com/AkakaSullivanKA111CongS1011HR2314Aug2009.pdf
Three matched pairs (companion bills with identical content) of the Akaka bill are active in the 111th Congress. Their dates of introduction and bill numbers are:
(1) February 4, 2009, S.381 and H.R.862;
(2) March 25, 2009: S.708 and H.R.1711;
(3) May 7, 2009: S.1011 and H.R.2314.
Presumably the most recently introduced version (May 7, 2009) will be the active one (see item #3 below); but in 2006 there was actually a decoy bill, introduced shortly before a Senate floor fight, whose purpose was to distract attention from the bill actually being pushed. Therefore we need to exercise great caution regarding which bill is the "real" one. For a commentary about this simultaneous deployment of three versions of the bill, see:
"Akaka Bill Shell Game, May 2009 -- 3 versions are now active in both the House and Senate, but which is the real one?" at:
http://www.angelfire.com/big09a/AkakaShellGameMay2009.html
Here is full text of all 3 versions of the Akaka bill now formally introduced in 111th Congress:
(1) February 4, 2009 identical Senate and House bills S.381 and H.R.862
http://www.angelfire.com/big09a/Akaka020409S381HR862.html
(2) March 25, 2009 identical Senate and House bills S.708 and H.R.1711
http://www.angelfire.com/big09a/Akaka032509S708HR1711.html
(3)May 7, 2009 identical Senate and House bills S.1011 and H.R.2314
http://www.angelfire.com/big09a/Akaka050709S1011HR2314.html
The 2009 version of the bill is even more dangerous than previous versions in recent years. It is missing the restrictions and limitations on the proposed Akaka tribe which worked their way into the bill during the 8 years of President Bush's term in office, such as a prohibition on gambling casinos, a prohibition on taking land into trust to create "Indian country", and a prohibition on claims against military lands. There is no time limit for completing a global settlement of all claims. Therefore the future Akaka tribe would be able to keep demanding more and more pieces from a constantly diminishing State of Hawaii, and racial strife would continue to worsen without limit.
Akaka bill deja vu (Groundhog Day). The new Akaka bill introduced February 4, 2009 is identical to the one from 2000-2001. It strips away all protections inserted in multiple amendments since then. This webpage describes what many of those protections were and why they are important.
http://www.angelfire.com/big09a/AkakaDejaVuFeb2009.html
See also "New version of Akaka bill introduced March 25, 2009 -- multiple layers of deception" at
http://www.angelfire.com/big09a/Akaka032509Deceptions.html
Audios and videos opposing the Akaka bill
A series of hard-hitting one-minute audio messages oppose the Akaka bill, accompanied by corresponding YouTube videos and transcripts. Each item focuses on one historical figure who is of major importance in Hawaiian history or culture but would not be recognized as Hawaiian according to the Akaka bill; or one aspect of the Akaka bill that is contrary to the ideals of unity, equality, and aloha. The webpage offering the audios and videos was launched in February 2009 with 10 audios and 5 accompanying videos. More will be added from time to time. Please visit
http://akakabill.org/audio-downloads/
ON JANUARY 8, 2009 A MAJOR REPORT ABOUT THE AKAKA BILL WAS RELEASED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE HAWAII STATE CAPITOL BY THE BEACON HILL INSTITUTE, WHICH IS AN ECONOMIC THINK-TANK AT SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THE REPORT IS ENTITLED: "The Economic Impact of the Akaka Bill: Unintended Consequences for Hawaii".
The full report in pdf format can be downloaded here:
http://big09a.angelfire.com/AkakaBeaconHillInstituteJan2009.pdf
FOR MEDIA and the Public: Up-to-Date, Basic, Quick Information About The Hawaiian Recognition bill:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/medianotes.html
In August and September 2005 the Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held hearings on the Akaka bill in Honolulu. Major testimony against the bill was presented by:
Kenneth R. Conklin, Ph.D., at:
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/big60/AkakaConklinHACtestimony081707.html
Roger Clegg, president and general counsel of the Center for Equal Opportunity, at
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/big60/AkakaCivRts082007Clegg.html
Jere Krischel, senior fellow, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, at
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/big60/AkakaCivRts090507Krischel.html
Obama vs. McCain on the Akaka Bill -- Words, Actions, Hypocrisy and Waffling
* A 5-paragraph summary of what's wrong with the bill, together with numerous footnotes providing extensive documentation of all main points;
* A short letter from Chairman Sensenbrenner of the House Judiciary Committee to Speaker Hastert demanding the bill be killed and calling the bill unconstitutional;
* A similar and very lengthy letter from the Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee analyzing the bill and urging Senators to oppose it;
* An official letter from the Assistant Attorney General of the United States warning about major problems with the bill
* Commentaries of national significance from the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, National Review, and other newspapers written by columnists, attorneys, and analysts.
* A spreadsheet showing how many of America's 400,000 "Native Hawaiians" live in each of the 50 states according to Census 2000 (240,000 in Hawai'i, 60,000 in California, and 100,000 spread among the other 48 states).
* Analysis comparing this bill with the radical demands of other ethnic groups; such as reparations for slavery, creation of a Nation of New Africa or a Nation of Aztlan (Chicanos), etc.
* The Akaka Bill And Secession: The Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill (Akaka bill) is seen by its supporters as a step toward total independence for all of Hawai'i
* Roundup of Evidence That Most Hawai'i People Oppose the Akaka Bill, Including Most Ethnic Hawaiians
* A full-page advertisement opposing the Akaka bill published in the Honolulu Advertiser on October 23, 2003, the day President Bush visited Honolulu.
* Testimony to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs opposing the Akaka bill, including powerful testimony from a highly esteemed native Hawaiian elder who is a Professor emeritus of Hawaiian language and culture.
* 3 articles by Bruce Fein, nationally known expert on Constitutiona law, that were entered into the Congressional record by Arizona Senator Kyl
* Major booklet by Constitutional law expert Bruce Fein: "Hawaii Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand." This is a point by point refutation of the apology bill and Akaka bill. It was also published in the Congressional Record with comments by Arizona Senator Kyl.
* Newspaper opinion poll shows 75% opposed to the Akaka bill (even though this newspaper frequently editorializes in favor of the bill); scientific survey shows 67% opposed
* Hawaiian sovereignty independence activist supports the Akaka bill as a way to get federal dollars for ethnic Hawaiians while continuing to seek total independence
* Akaka Bill Dialogs (collection of several series of published articles where supporters and opponents engage each other)
For all the above, and more, see:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/medianotes.html
On May 8, 2006 Senator Lamar Alexander made a speech on the Senate floor citing the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report on the Akaka bill, and urging fellow Senators to oppose the bill. Senator Akaka later that day went to the floor, gave a short speech in favor of the bill, and promised he would give a speech every day on the Senate floor until the bill is brought up for debate and vote. He followed through on that pledge. Opponents of the bill created a webpage to provide point-by-point fact-checking and rebuttal to each of Akaka's speeches. Please visit
http://wiki.grassrootinstitute.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Correcting_Akaka
The Akaka Bill And Secession: The Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill (Akaka bill) is seen by its supporters as a step toward total independence for all of Hawai'i
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/AkakaSecession.html
February 12, 2007: Citizens Equal Rights Alliance publishes a special newsletter on the Akaka bill for nationwide distribution.
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bigfiles40/AkakaCERA021207.pdf
Akaka Bill -- OHA flier "The Time is Now" mass-mailed May-June 2006 -- Comments and Corrections
The Hawaiian Recognition bill in Congress is also known locally in Hawai'i as the Akaka bill. It was first introduced in the 106th Congress in the year 2000, and has undergone numerous changes until now. Even the name of the bill has changed several times! HERE IS THE CURRENT, ACTIVE VERSION OF THE BILL:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/AkakaCurrentVersion.html
History of the Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill in the 110th Congress (January 2007 through December 2008), INCLUDING NEW VERSIONS OF THE BILL AS THEY ARE INTRODUCED, PUBLISHED NEWS REPORTS, COMMENTARIES, CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, ETC. CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER EVENTS OCCUR.
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bigfiles40/AkakaHist110thCong.html
The HISTORY of the Hawaiian Recognition bill IN THE PREVIOUS 109th Congress (January 2005 to December 2006). A chronological list of events in Congress and in Hawaii related to the 109th Congress is provided here, including full text of hundreds of published news reports and commentaries, transcripts of Senate floor debate from the Congressional Record, etc.:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/AkakaHist109thCong.html
Some Testimony in Opposition to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill in the 109th Congress (S.147 and H.R.309), including a roundup of testimony from previous years, and published articles opposing the bill.
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bigfiles/AkakaTestimony109Cong.html
PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS IN HAWAI'I -- Testimony by Ken Conklin to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights regarding the Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill, S.147 and H.R.309 (Akaka bill)
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/AkakaUSCCRtstmny031306.html
The COMPLETE HISTORY of the Akaka bill FROM YEAR 2000 TO THE PRESENT, including all versions of the bill together with testimony, contemporaneous news reports and analysis, is provided at:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/Akakahistory.html
Here is an internal search engine allowing you to find all pages on this website which discuss the topic you're interested in. Anytime you want to use the search engine, return to this front page.
An on-line petition opposing the Native Hawaiian Recognition bill was created on January 21, 2003. Ethnic Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians are signing this petition. We want to protect unity and equality. We love each other and we love America. We do not want a race-based separate government inside Hawai'i nor secession from America. Please help protect Hawai'i from being carved up along racial lines. Please sign the petition, and ask others to do so. Go to:
Three Choices For Hawai'i's Future: Akaka Bill vs. Independence vs. Unity and Equality
The Akaka Bill And Secession: The Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill (Akaka bill) is seen by its supporters as a step toward total independence for all of Hawai'i
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/AkakaSecession.html
Map of Hawaiian islands showing some of the lands likely to be demanded by an Akaka tribe, where different laws would prevail and businesses might operate exempt from taxes and regulation. There are large and small land parcels, SCATTERED throughout the islands, making jurisdictional issues a nightmare. Almost every current business would eventually come under competition from untaxed and unregulated businesses located within easy driving distance.
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bigfiles3/AkakaTribeLandsAdv080505.pdf
On January 25, 2005 the “Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization” bill was introduced in both the Senate and the House. Its bill numbers are S.147 and H.R.309. Both bills have identical wording, so that if they both pass, then no conference committee would be necessary and the bill would go directly to the President for signature. The complete text of S.147 as taken directly from the Congressional Record can be seen at:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/Akaka109S147HR309.html
On January 25, 2005, at the time they introduced the new Akaka bill in the Senate and House, speeches were given and entered in the Congressional Record by Senators Akaka and Inouye, and Representatives Abercrombie and Case. The full text of those speeches can be seen, along with red-pen corrections and comments by Professor Ken Conklin, at:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/Akaka012505SpeechRed.html
Honolulu attorney Paul M. Sullivan updated his 61-page point-by-point analysis of the Akaka bill in January, 2005, including cartoons by Daryl Cagle. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bigfiles2/AkakaSullivan012505.pdf
FOR MEDIA and the Public: Up-to-Date, Basic, Quick Information About The Hawaiian Recognition bill:
* A 5-paragraph summary of what's wrong with the bill, together with numerous footnotes providing extensive documentation of all main points;
* A short letter from Chairman Sensenbrenner of the House Judiciary Committee to Speaker Hastert demanding the bill be killed and calling the bill unconstitutional;
* A similar and very lengthy letter from the Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee analyzing the bill and urging Senators to oppose it;
* An official letter from the Assistant Attorney General of the United States warning about major problems with the bill
* Commentaries of national significance from the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, National Review, and other newspapers written by columnists, attorneys, and analysts.
* A spreadsheet showing how many of America's 400,000 "Native Hawaiians" live in each of the 50 states according to Census 2000 (240,000 in Hawai'i, 60,000 in California, and 100,000 spread among the other 48 states).
* Analysis comparing this bill with the radical demands of other ethnic groups; such as reparations for slavery, creation of a Nation of New Africa or a Nation of Aztlan (Chicanos), etc.
* The Akaka Bill And Secession: The Hawaiian Government Reorganization bill (Akaka bill) is seen by its supporters as a step toward total independence for all of Hawai'i
* Roundup of Evidence That Most Hawai'i People Oppose the Akaka Bill, Including Most Ethnic Hawaiians
* A full-page advertisement opposing the Akaka bill published in the Honolulu Advertiser on October 23, 2003, the day President Bush visited Honolulu.
* Testimony to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs opposing the Akaka bill, including powerful testimony from a highly esteemed native Hawaiian elder who is a Professor emeritus of Hawaiian language and culture.
* 3 articles by Bruce Fein, nationally known expert on Constitutiona law, that were entered into the Congressional record by Arizona Senator Kyl
* Major booklet by Constitutional law expert Bruce Fein: "Hawaii Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand." This is a point by point refutation of the apology bill and Akaka bill. It was also published in the Congressional Record with comments by Arizona Senator Kyl.
* Newspaper opinion poll shows 75% opposed to the Akaka bill (even though this newspaper frequently editorializes in favor of the bill); scientific survey shows 67% opposed
* Hawaiian sovereignty independence activist supports the Akaka bill as a way to get federal dollars for ethnic Hawaiians while continuing to seek total independence
* Akaka Bill Dialogs (collection of several series of published articles where supporters and opponents engage each other)
For all the above, and more, see:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/medianotes.html
Why the Bill was Conceived. The Real Purpose of the Bill.
The Hawaiian recognition bill seeks to pull a thoroughly integrated ethnic group out of society and create an ethnic nationalist government. The same arguments favoring an ethnic Hawaiian “nation” would also favor nationhood for Mexican-Americans, whose radical sovereignty groups MEChA and Nation of Aztlan are very active in California and the Southwest. The legal theory behind the Hawaiian recognition bill makes Hawaiian nationalism the thin edge of a knife poised to balkanize America and perhaps eventually dismember it. Hawaiian nationalism, Chicano nationalism, Black nationalism, and demands for reparations are destabilizing America. Passage of the Hawaiian Recognition bill would give legal and political support to all such radical movements. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/AkakaHawnChicanoNatnl.html
On July 28, 2004 Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards gave a passionate speech to the Democratic National Convention urging that the role of government is to overcome the two-America division between haves and have-nots, and to create "one America" bringing everyone together in unity and equality. Such idealism should also apply to Hawai'i, and the Akaka bill should be defeated because it divides people along racial lines. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/edwards1america1hawaii.html
Hawai'i's Fifth Column: Anti-Americanism in the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement
MAJOR POINTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL, EXPLAINED IN DETAIL
Why PEOPLE OUTSIDE HAWAI'I SHOULD OPPOSE the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill
Two resolutions passed by the Western States Sheriffs' Association in 2003 and 2004 are very important to be aware of when considering the consequences of the Akaka bill. There are serious law enforcement problems arising in local jurisdictions throughout America due to the sovereign immunity of Indian tribes. If the Akaka bill passes and the Akaka tribe gets created, jurisdictional conflicts will be far more severe in Hawai'i than in any other state. That's because the Hawaiian homelands, and lands owned by Bishop Estate (Kamehameha Schools) and other ali'i trusts, plus portions of the ceded lands, would probably become tribal lands. Indeed, most of the ceded lands could become tribal lands if the Legislature is as generous in giving away the public lands as it has been in giving away the public's money to OHA and DHHL. The Akaka tribe's lands would be scattered throughout all the islands, and located in virtually every portion of every island. Tribal businesses established on such lands, and the homes and incomes of tribal members, would be exempt from taxation , zoning regulations, labor laws, environmental laws, etc. State and county law enforcement officers would need to negotiate with tribal officials for access and authority in such areas. The situation would be especially severe if Bishop Estate decides to re-incorporate under tribal jurisdiction, making tribal businesses at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Windward Mall, etc. exempt from state and local taxes, regulation, and jurisdiction. The following document contains copies of two resolutions passed by Western States Sheriffs' Association in 2003 and 2004 on the subject of tribal sovereign immunity abuses and local public safety impacts. The letterhead stationery shows the number of states and organizations standing behind these resolutions. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bigfiles/sheriffstelljurisdprobs.pdf
Map of Hawaiian islands showing some of the lands likely to be demanded by an Akaka tribe, where different laws would prevail and businesses might operate exempt from taxes and regulation. There are large and small land parcels, SCATTERED throughout the islands, making jurisdictional issues a nightmare. Almost every current business would eventually come under competition from untaxed and unregulated businesses located within easy driving distance.
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bigfiles3/AkakaTribeLandsAdv080505.pdf
Attorney Paul M. Sullivan's detailed legal analysis of the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill
Paid lobbyists are in Washington, sent by the bloated bureaucracies whose continued existence depends on this bill being passed -- especially the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (with about 400 million of public money in its war chest), the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (with over 200,000 acres of land and many thousands of ethnic Hawaiians living there on $1-per-year leases), and the tax-exempt charitable trust now known as Kamehameha Schools, formery Bishop Estate (which has somewhere between $8 Billion and $15 Billion in assets). OHA has already spent many millions of dollars in advertising for the Akaka bill, gathering signatures on a racial registry, maintaining a Washington D.C. lobbying office, and directly lobbying Congress. Thousands of so-called Native Hawaiians (most of whom are mostly non-Hawaiian in genealogy), who currently receive racial entitlement benefits not available to other citizens through those three institutions and through hundreds of other taxpayer-supported programs, will be lobbying in support of this bill. It is difficult for opponents to keep up with them. We have no lavish expense accounts, and no motives other than patriotism and a desire to protect the unity of Hawai'i and the concept of equality under the law.
The level of political activism for racial separatism and ethnic nationalism is increasing significantly in Hawai'i. Perhaps the primary reason for increased zealotry and radicalism is the support for the Akaka bill coming from the political establishment. To read about sovereignty fanaticism in Hawai'i, see:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/religdogzeal.html
On September 7, 2003 a pro-apartheid "red shirt" march by 5,000 to 10,000 ethnic Hawaiians and supporters took place in Waikiki. The purpose of the march was to protest the Arakaki2 lawsuit as well as the two Kamehameha School desegregation lawsuits, and to rally support for the Akaka bill as a way of resisting the lawsuits. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/redshirtsept2003.html
Another, larger red-shirt pro-apartheid march was held on September 6, 2004, and has been compared to the Nazi brown-shirt and black-shirt marches in 1930s Germany. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/redshirtsept2004.html
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Kenneth R. Conklin, Ph.D.
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