Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2007 — Kau Inoa [ARTICLE]

Kau Inoa

I read with interest Rowena Akana's comments on the request by me and four of my associates to register on the Kau Inoa registration list. I assure you we are NOT trying to be harmful to those of Hawaiian

blood. In fact, we are doing the tliings we have been doing for the _ past 10 years or so to make sure that Hawai'i remains the kind of plaee it has been over the years for all of us, non-Hawahans and Hawaiians ahke. We believe, and the Supreme Court agreed with us in Rice v. Cayetano. that there is a racial overtone to the Akaka Bill and mueh of the activities associated with today's sovereignty efforts. Hawai'i has never been a plaee that separated people on the basis of race. Unlike Ameiiean Indian tribes - who in order to get recognized by Congress as Native Americans, must have a histoiy, among other things, of nonassimilation - Native Hawaiians welcomed and intermanied from the very beginning with every race that eame to these islands. Our desire to play a part in the massive changes in Hawai'i that would eome about if the Akaka Bhl were to pass is a voluntaiy effort on our paii. Notlhng sinister. We just think Native Hawahans and the interracial famihes that make Hawai'i a treasured plaee to hve are making a tragic mistake to destroy the welcoming sphit that has prevahed here. Thursion Twigg-Smith Via ihe lnternet