Akaka Bill divisive
Ken Conklin has a
letter
in the
Advertiser
rebutting OHA Chair Haunani Apoliona's earlier
letter about the Akaka bill. Although I disagree with Conklin most of
the time, we do share an opposition to federal recognition – often for
different reasons though. I agree it
would be racially divisive (as well as contrary to Hawaiian kingdom law which is
based on nationality rather than race), and I would point out that it is U.S.
legislators who are devising and pushing this U.S. domestic law onto Hawaiians.
He's probably right that OHA's survey
"questions and context were carefully crafted to produce OHA's desired
result."Conklin makes a good point
that "Opponents cannot participate unless they cave in and join," but
ironically, in his historical arguments elsewhere, he fails to condemn this same
action on the part of the Republic of Hawaii (oath of allegiance required to
vote) and the 1959 plebiscite (only U.S. citizens allowed to vote). Double
standard?
Posted: Sun - August 8, 2004 at 02:59 AM