Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2007 — Poll: support remains strong for Hawaiian federal recognition [ARTICLE]

Poll: support remains strong for Hawaiian federal recognition

70% say U.S. should recognize Hawaiians as an indigenous group

By KWŪ staff Asolid majority of Hawai'i residents continues to support federal recognition of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people, according to a poll conducted in August by Ward Research for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Seventy percent of residents surveyed said that Hawaiians should be recognized by the U.S.

as a distinct indigenous group, similar to the recognition given to American Indians and Alaska Natives, while nearly two-thirds of those polled also believe that the issue of race should not be a reason to deny federal recognition to Hawaiians. About two-thirds of the poll respondents also agreed that organizations such as Kamehameha Schools, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs should be protected from further lawsuits through federal recognition. "Clearly, the poll demonstrates that those who challenge the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act do not speak for the majority of Hawai'i residents, who believe that what is good for the indigenous population, Native Hawaiians, is good for all of Hawai'i," said OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona. The poll was conducted by

Ward Research via telephone from August 15-27, among a representative sampling of 380 residents statewide. The sample is representative of the Hawai'i population by age, ethnicity, and island of residence and carries a maximum sampling error of plus or minus 5 percent. The poll looked at issues at the core of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act currently before Congress, popularly known as the Akaka Bill after

its primary sponsor, Sen. Daniel Akaka. The bill proposes a formal process to recognize Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people. Those surveyed were asked, "Do you think that Hawaiians should be recognized by the U.S. as a distinct indigenous group, similar to the recognition given to American Indians and Alaska Natives?" Seventy percent responded, "Yes," 18 percent said, "No" and 12 percent said they didn't know. Sixty-seven percent of those polled also said that Hawaiians have the right to make decisions about their land, education, heahh, cultural and traditional practices, and social policies. The poll also showed that nearly two-thirds of those interviewed disagreed with the position of Akaka Bill critics who say that Native Hawaiians should be considered a racial category rather than an indigenous people.

When asked, "Do you believe that Native Hawaiians should NOT be given federal recognition because of race," 64 percent responded, "No." About the same percentage believe that Hawaiian programs and organizations like OHA, DHHL and Kamehameha Schools should be protected through federal recognition. In addition, 83 percent of those surveyed believe that over 100 existing federally funded programs for Hawaiians should continue. The poll also showed that Hawai'i residents have high awareness of issues affecting Native Hawaiians: 84% of those surveyed said they had heard of the Akaka bill and 79% were aware of the lawsuits against OHA, DHHL and Kamehameha Schools. When asked if they agreed that a Native Hawaiian governing entity should be formed, 51% said they agree, 34% said they disagree and 16% said they didn't know or declined to answer. Some critics charged that those numbers reflect a laek of clarity about the purpose of the Akaka Bill, whieh would provide a process for the federal govemment to extend fonnal recognition to a Hawaiian goveming entity onee it is fonned. However, Apoliona said in an editorial written for the Honoluhi Star-BuIIetin that support from even a small majority of Hawai'i residents for the fonnation of a Hawaiian goveming entity "speaks volumes in light of the barrage of misinfonnation being spewed by the . . . well-financed anny of (recognition bill) critics both here and in Washington, D.C." The OHA chairperson said in a separate statement that "we are heartened by the support of residents of Hawai'i who have clearly demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of the Akaka Bill. They see it as a fair and just way to improve the future for all of Hawai'i." □

For complete poll results and methodology, visit www.OHA.org.

Opinion

"Do you think that Hawaiians should be recognized by the U.S. as a distinct indigenous group, similar to the recognition given to American Indians and Alaska Natives?" 70% - Yes 1 8% - No 1 2 % - Don't know

NŪ HOU • NEWS