Inouye: Maybe 2004 for Akaka bill
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i's senior senator yesterday urged Native Hawaiians to unite behind the bill that would give them federal recognition, although he also said chances of its passage in 2003 are extremely slim.
"Right now we (in the Senate) are clogged with appropriation bills," U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye said in an interview after addressing participants at the Native Hawaiian Conference at the Sheraton Waikiki. "Of course, it's possible that there could be a break when we could push it through, and I'm pretty good at looking for a hiatus.
INOUYE
"Miracles can happen," he said, "but it's not a realistic thing to do."
Inouye, D-Hawai'i, focused his formal remarks on exhorting Hawaiians to set aside other differences and demonstrate broad support for the federal recognition measure, also dubbed the Akaka bill; it's named for Inouye's Democratic colleague, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka , whom the conference honored at a luncheon yesterday.
But after his speech, Inouye said his intent is to push the bill clear before the two-year session ends and the next election takes place.
"It's our intent to get it through before the end of this session" in 2004, he said.
Inouye reminded the gathering that federal recognition has the support of the governor, all the mayors, county and state lawmakers and the entire congressional delegation. It's a rare demonstration of unity, he said, especially in a country founded amid discord from those who opposed independence and the uncommitted masses.
"If we can do that on a political level, I would hope that the people of Hawai'i can come together," he said. "We can't afford to have this community split in three ways like that."
The senator's assessments drew reactions from other leaders who support the Akaka bill as well as those who believe it will not solve native problems the way supporters claim.
"We still feel hopeful, given all of that, that there's still hope we can at least get it through the Senate this year," said Clyde Namu'o, administrator of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the state agency most intensively lobbying for the bill.
Gov. Linda Lingle, after delivering her own address to the conference, acknowledged that Inouye is in a good position to give a prognosis. She added, however, that she still plans a trip to Washington in September and October to promote the bill.
Attorney General Mark Bennett also has been getting his counterparts in other states to send letters reassuring the administration about constitutional concerns they have with the bill, Lingle said.
"I wouldn't say I'm optimistic, but I'm not pessimistic," she told the gathering. "We won't give up on this issue, no matter what."
Some Hawaiian leaders stayed away from the conference, however, because of its pro-recognition bias. Vicky Holt Takamine of the 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition said yesterday she is concerned by the challenges faced by many recognized Native American groups.
"I think it's going to create more problems, and I'm not convinced it's going to solve any problems," she said.
The conference, which is sponsored by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, concludes today.
Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.
