OHA seeking competitors for student debate contest

Advertiser Staff

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is accepting entries in its first student debate competition, a tournament starting Nov. 30 that will focus on federal recognition for Native Hawaiians.

The debate is part of the OHA Na 'Oiwi 'Olino public education campaign on sovereignty issues, and it coincides with the Kamehameha Schools' Thanksgiving Invitational Tournament. Students enrolled in grades 9 to 12, in public or private high schools, are eligible.

Entry deadline is 3 p.m. Nov. 13. Entry forms are available online; the link is near the 'Ahahui o Hawai'i Community Forum logo. 'Ahahui, the University of Hawai'i Native Hawaiian Student Union, is assisting OHA with the debates.

The competition will involve two-person debate teams representing public and private high schools, debating a resolution "that the Akaka Bill, a Congressional bill for federal recognition of the Native Hawaiian people by the United States of America, is in the best interest of the Native Hawaiian people."

The final debate event, set for Dec. 7, also will include the awards ceremony for the Na 'Oiwi 'Olino kamali'i (youth) essay and poster competitions.

The first- and second-place debate teams will win cash prizes of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

Debate instructions are available on the OHA Web site.