Sovereignty supporters take sides at OHA forum

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaiian sovereignty supporters at a televised forum last night drew polite but distinct lines between those who think federal recognition will safeguard existing benefits and those convinced it will keep Native Hawaiians from securing something closer to the independent nation they lost a century ago.

The forum, held at the East-West Center's Jefferson Hall, was sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and spotlighted the Akaka bill that languishes in Congress. The legislation is aimed at starting the process toward nation-within-a-nation status for Native Hawaiians, a status akin to what the United States allows other indigenous people.

Some hecklers targeted proponents of the Akaka bill and were reprimanded by panelists. Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of OHA's board, also chastised them before leading the crowd in song.

"We agree to disagree," Apoliona said, "but no need harass."

The forum, broadcast live on KFVE-TV and radio station KINE, is one in a series of OHA events on federal recognition.

The panelists represented a range of opinions.

Arguing in favor of S. 344, the bill before the U.S. Senate, were Robert Klein, OHA board attorney, and Boyd Mossman, OHA trustee and former state Circuit Court judge.

Jon Osorio, University of Hawai'i Hawaiian studies professor, and Poka Laenui, attorney and sovereignty advocate, made the case for independence. However, Laenui said he would favor the bill if it were revised to allow for future movement toward independence.

Mossman and Klein took the position that without achieving a special status within the federal government, federal lawsuits targeting Hawaiian-only benefits are likely to succeed.

Osorio said he believes that the Rice v. Cayetano ruling that struck down Hawaiian-only elections was a narrow opinion that probably won't invalidate longstanding programs such as Hawaiian homesteading.

"The Akaka bill is a last-minute proposal to protect the status quo," Osorio said. "The question of whether the status quo needs to be protected is a good one."

Klein countered that the challenges are real.

"It's not something you can blink an eye and make them go away," he said.

Laenui presented a compromise position that federal recognition could buy time for Hawaiians to decide what kind of relationship they want with the United States, but he said that the present bill seems to leave no room to move.

"We want to preserve what we have," he said. "But we're not willing to let go of the right of our people to pursue independence."

The event was described as a forum, not a debate, but there was a segment in which each panelist was allowed to face off against an opposing "team" member. And panelists had a chance to respond to videotaped questions from members of the public.

Throughout it all, pro-independence hecklers shouted "Traitor!" and "A'ole!" ("No!") at the pro-Akaka team, frequently greeting Osorio with cheers.

"My question is, why are the independents yelling at us?" Mossman said. "My suggestion to them is, join us."

Osorio also rebuked them.

"There are no traitors on this stage," he said.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.