Akaka bill revised to extend deadline
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawaiian sovereignty legislation now in both houses of Congress has been revised again, extending the length of time a Native Hawaiian government would have to settle claims for assets now under federal and state control.
Hawai'i Congressman Neil Abercrombie yesterday introduced in the House a twin of the measure known as the "Akaka bill," which sets out how the federal government would recognize Native Hawaiians as a political class.
About the same time, the latest version of the Senate bill also was filed, said Paul Cardus, spokesman for U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i.
Cardus said both the Senate and House measures include the newest wording setting a 20-year deadline for settling existing claims.
The change is that the clock doesn't start ticking on that deadline until the Native Hawaiian government entity is formed.
A previous version of the legislation set the 20-year countdown to begin when the legislation is enacted.
The amendment drew applause yesterday from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Administrator Clyde Namu'o said OHA "did voice loudly our concerns" about the earlier version because of the constraints that the deadline placed on the thoughtful formation of a government.
Haunani Apoliona, who chairs the OHA Board of Trustees, called the amended deadline "more realistic."
Critics of the Akaka bill have voiced their opposition to the deadline and other aspects of the measure, and the revision may not change their view.
"There should be no clock ticking — that's the bottom line," said Kaho'onei Panoke of Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition. "The questions should be, what is driving them for putting this deadline?
"Who authorized these amendments? The process allows for the native people to respond before those amendments are made. We don't want hearings after the bill passes."
Cardus said the legislative process has been guided by testimony given four years ago at hearings in Hawai'i, as well as written comments submitted since then. The Hawai'i delegation opted for a 20-year statute of limitations as a compromise with U.S. Department of the Interior officials, who wanted a shorter deadline.
The House bill, co-sponsored by Hawai'i Reps. Abercrombie and Ed Case and others, will get the discussion moving in the House while the delegation presses for a vote on the Senate floor, Cardus said.
The measure "offers Native Hawaiians a seat at the table and a direct voice on issues critical to their well-being and cultural identity," Abercrombie said in a prepared statement.
Reach Vicki Viotti at 525-8053 or vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com.
