Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 12, 1 December 2007 — Akaka Bill not 'racial' [ARTICLE]

Akaka Bill not 'racial'

When the U.S. House passed the Akaka Bill in October, I watched the debate on C-Span. (Ka Wai Ola November issue). I listened to Rep. Mazie Hirono explain the histories and culture of the Hawaiian people, ending with the motto of the state of Hawai'i. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, with a smile, also needed to answer questions and repeat himself so other representatives could understand. Many of them have set their minds against this hill using the word "racial." Civil rights! The word democracy means: (1) government by the people, majority rule; (2) government in whieh the highest power is held by the people; (3) a political unit (as a nation) governed by the people. Does the president of America have the power to veto any bills that eome out of Congress? Abuse of powers is being used by many who have attitude problems and who need to eheek on their mental heahh and well-being. The word "racial" is an adjective describing how to separate or segregate. Aloha is the Hawaiian way of working together. We all need to respect other cultures and work to make this world a plaee where we all ean live in peaee. Thank you, Hirono and Abercrombie, faithful servants serving the people of Hawai'i. LucyM. Akau Waimānalo

KA LEO KAIĀULU ■ LETTERS T0 THE EDIT0R