Posted on: Friday, July 9, 2004

EDITORIAL
Fate of Akaka bill threatens programs

After years of effort, there are growing signs that the so-called "Akaka" Hawaiian recognition bill may be failing in Congress.

While the fight is not over, it appears that philosophical objections from some members of Congress plus division within the Hawaiian community may be enough to stop the measure.

There are two levels of support for the bill among local political leaders, many Hawaiian organizations and others.

The first is that federal recognition of Hawaiians as, in effect, a political entity, would be an important step toward fuller Hawaiian self-determination or sovereignty.

The second is that recognizing Hawaiians as a political entity might short-circuit efforts to dismantle Hawaiian-focused programs as unconstitutional because they are race-based.

This second reason calls for serious introspection both in Hawai'i and in Washington.

Federal programs to aid Hawaiians generate millions of dollars each year for Hawai'i.

The state has had some success in defending such programs under the argument that the federal government has a special "trust" relationship with Hawaiians.

Those who believe there is no room under our Constitution for any race-based programs are determined.

Thus, if the Akaka recognition bill is either stalled or dead, it is time to begin thinking of other ways of saving worthwhile Hawaiian programs.

The needs served by these programs will not go away if the programs themselves die. Either the needs will then go unmet or we will have to absorb their costs locally.

The debate over whether the Akaka bill represents an important step toward self-determination or a descent into uncomfortable federal wardship can go on.

But the programs that the measure might well protect should not be lightly abandoned. That is the immediate task ahead.