OHA releases poll on federal recognition

OHA released the results of a poll Tuesday (with a PDF of poll methodology and results), and yesterday the Advertiser covered it. Lance Foster has some pretty extensive analysis and commentary.

"The Ward poll was conducted by telephone Aug. 15-27. It interviewed 380 residents state-wide and carries a statistical margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent."

One thing I notice is that support seems to erode between the general concept of federal recognition and protecting Hawaiian programs, and actually forming a "Hawaiian governing entity."

70% think that "Hawaiians should be recognized by the U.S. as a distinct indigenous group" and 67% think Hawaiians have the right "to make decisions about their land, education, health, cultural and traditional practices, and social policies." 65% believe that "organizations like Kamehameha Schools, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and OHA ... should be protected through federal recognition of Hawaiians as an indigenous people." And 83% believe that the "over 100 federally-funded programs for Hawaiians in the fields of health, education, employment, economic development and housing" should continue.

However, when asked if a "Hawaiian governing entity" should be formed to "represent the Hawaiian people in their dealings with the state and the federal government," only 51% agreed. Yet this is what the Akaka bill actually sets up a process for. So while around two-thirds of the population, according to this sample and these questions, supports some vague concept of federal recognition and protection of Hawaiian programs, barely over half (and perhaps not even that given the 5% margin of error) actually supports the intended outcome of the process that the Akaka bill would specifically set in motion.

While this poll certainly seems to indicate that the AntiHawaiians are in a small minority in their efforts to destroy Hawaiian programs and institutions, it is definitely not a broad endorsement of the Akaka bill, either.

The Advertiser also includes this:

Ikaika Hussey, of Hui Pu, an umbrella organization of Hawaiian groups that oppose federal recognition on the grounds that it doesn't go far enough in addressing the wrongs against Hawaiians, said the debate between Akaka bill supporters and those like Burgess is too narrow.

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

I would still love to see someone do a poll asking questions like "If Hawaii were to be restored as an independent country with a multi-racial citizenry, would you want to be a citizen?"

Meanwhile, the Advertiser also briefly covers a meeting in Honolulu yesterday of the Hawaii advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where testimony was heard from invited speakers about the proposed Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill, including some who said that the bill would "damage efforts to create an independent Hawaiian nation."

Several public hearings are scheduled across the islands next week.

The hearing schedule:

Honolulu: Wednesday, 1 to 5 p.m., state Capitol.
Hilo: next Thursday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., State Office Building, 75 Aupuni St.
Lihu'e: Sept. 14, 1 to 5 p.m., Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center, 3-1901 Kaumuali'i Highway.

Update 9/7: The Star-Bulletin editorial picks up on the same point I made above.

...one question posed in the new survey was troublesome: "There has been talk about creating a Hawaiian governing entity that would represent the Hawaiian people in their dealings with the state and the federal government. Do you agree or disagree that an entity of some kind should be formed?"

Actually, there has been more than talk about such a governing body. The Akaka Bill explicitly calls for a "native Hawaiian governing entity to negotiate with federal, state and local governments, and other entities." Only 51 percent of the poll's respondents support it, while 34 percent disagree.

We have criticized a 2005 poll taken by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, which opposes sovereignty, because of a loaded question designed to elicit negative reactions to the Akaka Bill. The newest OHA poll deserves similar scrutiny for a misleading question implying that a Hawaiian governing entity is being talked about but is not part of the Akaka Bill.

Posted: Thu - September 6, 2007 at 07:38 AM

getBlogName(); > getCategoryName("C608676235"); >

OHA releases poll on federal recognition

> >