EDITORIAL
Time for regrouping on federal 'Akaka Bill'

Senior Sen. Dan Inouye says a proposed law offering federal recognition for Hawaiians will not be brought up for a vote in Congress this year.

And while he said the reason is largely logistical (there are other, more pressing matters to deal with in the remaining days of the session), there may also be tactical thinking involved.

While the Hawai'i delegation says there are enough votes in the House and Senate to pass the measure, nicknamed the Akaka Bill, that may be far from a sure thing.

Inouye pointed out that the measure has strong opponents who are armed with a formidable weapon: Division within the Hawaiian community itself about whether the bill would help.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Dan Akaka. It offers federal recognition of Hawaiians as a political entity, similar to Native American tribes. The thinking is such a law would protect Hawaiian programs from legal assault as being unconstitutionally race-based.

But some Hawaiians say the measure is a backdoor way of cementing their role as "wards" of the federal government, a role they do not seek and do not want.

Congressional opponents of the idea use this split among Hawaiians as an argument against the bill, Inouye said.

So to the degree this is a tactical withdrawal, it poses an important challenge to the Hawaiian community. Unanimity will never be possible nor should it be required.

But there should be a consensus from the Hawaiian community on how it wishes to proceed both with its own self-determination and in its defense of programs aimed at Hawaiians, such as Hawaiian Homes, Hawaiian health programs and the like.

If the Akaka bill is not the answer, then clear alternatives should emerge.

The fact is that everyone benefits from these programs, not just the direct Hawaiian beneficiaries. Improving the health, economic status, education or cultural resources of Hawaiians adds to the quality of life for all who live in these Islands.