Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2006 — FEDERAL CANDIDATE SURVEY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FEDERAL CANDIDATE SURVEY

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Native Hawaiians meet the test for indigenous status. They comprise a distinct community descended from Hawai'i's pre-contact inhabitants. The case for recognition is supported by the unqualified international recognition enjoyed by the Kingdom of Hawai'i and its well-established political relationship with the U.S. (including treaties) prior to 1893. 1 have introduced and will continue to support federal legislation that recognizes the indigenous status of Native Hawaiians. With more and more Hawaiians living in the U.S. Mainland there is little doubt in my mind that they accepted the melting-pot mantra of the United States and have fully bought into the migrant nature of this nation, and world. I am opposed to indigenous claims not only for Hawaiians, but for Europeans in Europe, and anywhere else in the world.

Yes, because Native Hawaiians are an indigenous people. I am a strong supporter of the Akaka Bill, and will work with the rest of Hawai'i's delegation and other proponents in pushing for federal recognition. I made it a point to attend the Supreme Court hearing on Rice v. Cayetano to hear first hand where the justices were on the question of whether Hawaiians are an indigenous people. Clearly, there was a laek of understanding on this point (whieh led to the Court's decision); a laek of understanding shared by others, mainly Republicans, who killed the Akaka Bill. I believe that Native Hawaiians deserve federal recognition in order to protect existing programs, such as the good work being done at DHHL, Kamehameha Schools, OHA, etc.

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Efforts by Native Hawaiians to organize their own governing body demonstrate the seriousness of the community's intent to shape its own destiny and control its patrimony. It underlines the need to move forward and overcome the political obstacles to recognition of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people with legitimate claims for the establishment of a government-to-govern-ment relationship with the United States and the State of Hawai'i. I believe that such efforts are sedition, eounterproductive for Hawai'i and divisive. I believe that such efforts have paralyzed this state, leaving it at the mercy of weak, visionless and capricious representatives.

I am supportive of OHA's efforts to provide a process for Hawaiians to eome together to establish a Native Hawaiian political body that would represent their collective interests. Creation of such a political body, with a land base, would lay the groundwork for a successful push toward federal recognition, if such a path is deemed desirable. I do have a eoneem that such a political body, without federal recognition, would not protect programs serving Native Hawaiians against lawsuits brought under the federal Constitution. I believe that the scope and substance of the governing issue should be decided by the Native Hawaiian community. If, ultimately, a major change in governance is at stake that could affect all of Hawai'i, then I believe that all the voters in the state should have an opportunity to vote on that measure.

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I fully support the continued federal funding of education, heahh, housing, veterans and other programs for Native Hawaiians. I will continue to support the authorization and appropriations legislation for these programs. The best way to end the disputes about them and ensure that they continue is to secure federal recognition of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people and establish a government-to-government relationship with the United States and the State of Hawai'i. Since the early 1960s the U.S. Congress has been dominated by "Ask For" representatives who have failed to live up to President Kennedy's "Ask Not" challenge. Accordingly, and given that I see America heading towards a fiseal nightmare, I would seek to establish privatization of racially biased programs that benefit from federal funding.

Yes. I support legislation such as discussed by Senator Inouye to protect programs serving Native Hawaiians from continuous court challenges. These programs cannot serve their purpose of improving the lives of Hawaiians if they must expend all their resources fighting lawsuits. I believe that federal funding for existing Native Hawaiian programs should be continued. I applaud the recent efforts at the state level by the Lingle administration to enhanee the quality of life of the Hawaiian community. I look forward to extending that effort to Washington, D.C., as your next Congressman.

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Neil Abercrnmbie (D) Candidate U.S. Hūuse ūf Representatives District I - Urban O'ahu

Richard Noah Heugh (R) Candidate U.S. Hūuse ūf Representatives District I - Urban ū'ahu

I Mazie K. Hirene (D) Candidate U.S. Hūuse ūf RaprEsantativES District 2 - Rural ū'ahu | & Neighbūr lslands

Beb Hegue (R) Candidata U.S. Hūuse ūf Representatives District 2 - Rural ū'ahu 5 Neighbūr lslands