Omnibus inclusion
By B.J. Reyes
With hopes dimming for passage of the Akaka Bill before the end of the year, a massive omnibus appropriations bill for 2011 pushed out by the Senate today offers the potential for revisiting the issue in the future.
The 1,924-page bill is probably more noteworthy for the inclusion of $8 billion in earmarks requested by lawmakers from both parties as the “lame duck” session churns to a close.
But on pages 809-810 of the draft proposal, there is language calling for a study of some kind for establishing a “mechanism” to recognize a Native Hawaiian governing entity.
The language:
NATIVE HAWAIIAN RECOGNITION STUDY AUTHORIZATION
SEC. 125. The Secretary of the Interior shall, with funds appropriated for fiscal year 2011, and in coordination with the State of Hawaii and those offices designated under the Hawaii State Constitution as representative of the Native Hawaiian community, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Attorney General of the United States, examine and make recommendations to Congress no later than September 30, 2011, on developing a mechanism for the reorganization of a Native Hawaiian governing entity and recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity as an Indian tribe within the meaning of Articles I and II of the Constitution.
A spokesman for Akaka says the senator still is exploring avenues to get the bill passed, adding that the provision in the spending bill basically calls for a report on the most effective way to move forward should the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act be enacted in the future.
Political Radar
December 14th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
With the Akaka Bill being ultimately about land, power and money for political insiders, it’s no surprise that on its deathbed it would turn into an expensive “study”. Democrats love studies almost as much as they love creating new government agencies, departments, and programs. I would like to propose that there be a study done to determine the feasibility of another study and perhaps a commission to determine the parameters for yet another study. It’s the least we can do to justify more borrowing from China and to keep hope alive over at OHA.
December 15th, 2010 at 6:18 am
I’t a diffrent story but let stop our local people from dealing drugs.
we need more help wish we can find a way to ask the public to turn in more drug dealers& drug mafia family to many cover up but may be if everyone ask it might make a diffrence.Let say no to drugs we need Hawaiian mafia and family arrested some are arreste but seem to make dangerious phone call.
December 15th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Even accepting the “infamous” MR. Ryan’s assertion about the Akaka bill, Republicans are no less inclined to ask for studies. Just go look through the Resolutions offered in the State Legislature. It just might be enuf to convince one that “smith” is right that everything has to do with the drug problem, Hawaiian mafia, and dangerous phone calls.
December 15th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
The provision relating to Hawaiian sovereignty not only expresses Congress’ sense that Hawaiian sovereignty is accepted as U.S. policy, it makes any proposed amendment adding the full Akaka bill prior to final passage germane and not subject to a point of order. Let’s see what happens. If the provision stands as written, it is meaningless because it appropriates no money for the negotiation effort which has not been authorized.