Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2008 — Barack, Clinton pledge support of the Akaka Bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Barack, Clinton pledge support of the Akaka Bill

Hawai'i Democratic caucus set for Feb. 19 By Usa Asatū Public lnfurmatiun Specialist The Democratic frontrunners in the race for the White House said they would support the Akaka Bill if elected president. As Sens. Barack Ohama and Hillary Rodham Clinton eampaigned for votes in key states including the primary contests in "Super Tuesday" this month on the U.S. continent, both eame out backing the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, whieh would grant federal recognition of a Native Hawaiian governing entity.

Ohama was out of the gate first, issuing a statement saying, "This is an important hill, and if it is not signed into law this year, I will eommit to supporting it as president," the Hawai'i-born Ohama said. Responding to Obama's announcement of support for the bill's passage, the loeal Clinton campaign went a step further, saying Clinton would "be an absolute ehampion for its passage." "I don't think there is any question that Sen. Clinton would sign the Akaka Bill if she is president," said state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, Hawai'i co-chair of the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. Hanabusa said "the Akaka Bill grew out of the 1993 Hawaiian Apology Act," whieh was signed into law by then-presi-dent Bill Clinton, Hillary's husband. The 1993 hill apologized for the U.S. overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawai'i's last mon-

arch, whose reign ended in 1893. "Given the fact that the Akaka Bill represents a continuation of a policy that is the product of the first Clinton administration, I believe that Hillary Clinton would not only sign the hill, but would be an absolute ehampion for its passage," Hanabusa added. Clinton is a U.S. Senator from New York. Meanwhile, Ohama has been "consistent with his support of the Akaka Bill," passionately supporting it on the Senate floor in 2006 and working closely with Hawai'i Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka for its passage, said Bill Meheula, a selfdescribed "strong supporter" with the Hawai'i for Ohama campaign. Ohama would also be a better presidential advocate for the hill because he better understands Hawai'i history, having graduated from high school in Hawai'i and spent many years here, Meheula

said. "He's in a good position" to correct misperceptions about Hawai'i history, whieh are eommon among the opposition, said Meheula, an attorney with a background in Native Hawaiian issues, including the Akaka Bill. "The process set forth in this important legislation empowers Native Hawaiians to explore and address the longstanding issues resulting from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i," said Ohama, a Punahou School graduate. "As Americans, we pride ourselves on safeguarding the practice and ideas of liberty, justice and freedom. "By enacting this legislation, we ean eonhnue this great American tradition and fulfill this promise for Native Hawaiians and ensure that they are not left behind as Hawai'i continues to progress." The hill is pending in the U.S. Senate after passing the House in October. The Bush administration

has promised to veto the Akaka Bill. So far this election season, Ohama has won Democratic nominating contests in Iowa, and Clinton has won in New Hampshire and Nevada. Clinton also won in Michigan, but the National Democratic Party had stripped the state of its delegates for scheduling its vote prior to Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, when more than 20 states will hold primaries or caucuses. Ohama and fonner North Carolina Sen. lohn Edwards had earlier removed their names fromtheMichiganballot.Hawai'i's Democratic caucus is Feb. 19. ^

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Democratic presidential nominee BarackObūma. - Photo: CouitosyofGeorge Wai'ale'ale