House passes Akaka bill

The U.S. House has passed H.R. 505 "Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007" on a 261-153 vote. Advertiser reports and KGMB has a story. The Senate still needs to act, and see if they have 60 votes to overcome threat of a filibuster, but the administration is threatening to veto it even if it does pass. (PS - as Ryan O. notes "Numerologists take note, it was the 1,000th vote taken by the 110th Congress.")

Update: USA Today article, including this:

Republican opponents of the legislation also said it could open the door for Native Hawaiians to declare territorial independence from the United States.

The rights of Native Hawaiians have been an issue since the 1893 coup.

I think it is continually amusing how the Republicans fear the bill could lead to independence (or at least use this fear to stir opposition to the bill), while many who support independence also oppose the bill because they feel it would subvert independence. Both interests arguing against the bill, but for directly contradictory reasons. (And while we are told by some Hawaiian leaders how unrealistic and unachievable it is, yet would Republicans bring it up if they thought it completely impossible? Their fear of it validates its potential.)

Update 10/25: And here's today's full Star-Bulletin article and the Advertiser article, which on the timing of the next step in the Senate says, "expected Republican opposition in the Senate means leadership would have to make time for lengthy debate in an already clogged legislative calendar." And the Advertiser concludes with this:

A spokesman for Hui Pu, an umbrella group of Hawaiian organizations opposed to federal recognition, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the House vote.

Hui Pu member Ikaika Hussey said millions of dollars spent by OHA on "lobbyists and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts" paid off.

Hussey said the Akaka bill remains "a clear threat to the movement for self-determination" and that Hui Pu members will be meeting to decide their next move.

Hussey encouraged Congress to hold legislative hearings on the issue in Hawai'i.

Bumpy Kanahele, head of the group Nation of Hawai'i, also called for local hearings.

"If we're going to present something to the U.S. government, it should be something we're all a part of," Kanahele said. What's currently before Congress is "a desperate attempt by the U.S. congressional delegation in Hawai'i to settle all future claims."

There's also a video of Rep. Hirono speaking in support of the bill. And you can comment on the article.

And the Star-Bulletin editorial has this take:

House approval of the Hawaiian sovereignty bill by a 261-153 vote fell far short of the two-thirds needed to override a presidential veto, rendering futile continued action on the bill while President Bush remains in office. Any effort to pass the bill also would be useless in the Senate, where support has been inadequate. Proponents should wait until the next administration before renewing their cause.

Neither yesterday's House vote nor the White House declaration of opposition should have come as a surprise. [...] Advocates of Hawaiian sovereignty seem to have been in denial during recent years but now must acknowledge reality.

Of course I have to keep pointing out that the bill, whatever is may be, has nothing to do with "sovereignty." Let's have another refresher.

Wikipedia:

Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e.g. legislative, judicial, and/or executive) authority over a geographic region, group of people, or oneself. A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority, subject to no other

Black's Law Dictionary:

The supreme, absolute, and uncontrollable power by which any independent state is governed; supreme political authority; the supreme will; paramount control of the constitution and frame of government and its administration; the self-sufficient source of political power, from which all specific political powers are derived; the international independence of a state, combined with the right and power of regulating its internal affairs without foreign dictation; also a political society, or state, which is sovereign and independent.

The power to do everything in a state without accountability, --to make laws, to execute and to apply them, to impose and collect taxes and levy contributions, to make war or peace, to form treaties of alliance or of commerce with foreign nations, and the like.

Now, compare and contrast with The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007, for example this:

(3) GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY AND POWER- Any governmental authority or power to be exercised by the Native Hawaiian governing entity which is currently exercised by the State or Federal Governments shall be exercised by the Native Hawaiian governing entity only as agreed to in negotiations pursuant to section 8(b)(1) of this Act and beginning on the date on which legislation to implement such agreement has been enacted by the United States Congress, when applicable, and by the State of Hawaii, when applicable. This includes any required modifications to the Hawaii State Constitution in accordance with the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

And this:

(b) Negotiations-
(1) IN GENERAL- Upon the reaffirmation of the special political and legal relationship between the United States and the Native Hawaiian governing entity, the United States and the State of Hawaii may enter into negotiations with the Native Hawaiian governing entity designed to lead to an agreement addressing such matters as--
(A) the transfer of lands, natural resources, and other assets, and the protection of existing rights related to such lands or resources; (B) the exercise of governmental authority over any transferred lands, natural resources, and other assets, including land use;
(C) the exercise of civil and criminal jurisdiction;
(D) the delegation of governmental powers and authorities to the Native Hawaiian governing entity by the United States and the State of Hawaii;

Negotiating over "the delegation of governmental powers and authorities" is not sovereignty.

Posted: Wed - October 24, 2007 at 12:08 PM

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House passes Akaka bill

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