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From today's Civil Beat:
US Interior to Propose Rule for Dealing With a Native Hawaiian Government
The administrative procedure could lead to establishment of a formal relationship between the United States and an indigenous governing entity in the islands.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has taken a major step toward federal recognition of Native Hawaiians.
The agency has moved forward regarding procedures to re-establish a government-to-government relationship with a native governing entity by submitting a draft rule for regulatory review.
The governing entity is in the process of being formed through the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, which late last month sent notices to qualified voters on how to participate in a constitutional convention for self-governance...
I am so pleased to see this unfolding, to witness something positive being done even if it is not ideal, to right the wrongs of the (USA) government towards the Hawaiian people.
I am sure it will rile those that are insecure in their own beliefs and threatened by a stronger Hawaiian community, but OMG it is wonderful to see the Obama administration knows better than to grabble with their likes and has moved forward in this way. Hopefully conclusive steps will be taken soon enough, and strong enough, to shield them from the insanity of future Republican administrations.
The entire article can be read at:
http://www.civilbeat.com/2015/08/us-inte...overnment/
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The old kingdom/government was dissolved for so many years - nonexistent as it were. If it really had continued, we might have a different story. Resurrecting something that went away and then trying to get the US to recognize it as the "lawful government" of Hawaii is a fantasy.
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This is a big step forward, indeed. The challenge lies in forming "general consensus" of accepting the USA "package deal", or not. Well said, dakine, mahalo.
leilanidude, it is not about "resurrection", it's about "reparation", at this point. You're right; the Kingdom days are long over, and the USA is not going anywhere. Thus, resolution may be on the horizon (hopefully).
This effort is far better in substance than the totally gutted Akaka Bill. In fairness, it was a good attempt at "recongnition", and a first step of sorts.
JMO.
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" Resurrecting something that went away and then trying to get the US to recognize it as the "lawful government" of Hawaii is a fantasy."
Yes, any notion of a Kingdom or other "sovereign" entity holding authority over the population at large is indeed the height of wild delusional fantasy. The Constitutional rights of all as provided under federal law are obviously paramount to any other entity.
It would have to be something more or less analogous to tribal governments on the mainland, and it's clear there would be very extensive procedure involved in establishing anything, with requirements and definitions holding actual substance and illustrating a distinct community in actual practice.
Rather than relying on a brief Civil Beat article, I think one will find a much better resource for information here:
U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Native Hawaiian Relations - http://www.doi.gov//ohr/index.cfm
" " Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making - http://www.doi.gov/ohr/reorg/index.cfm
" " Procedures for Reestablishing a Government-to-Government Relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community - http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDet...-0002-0005
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...it's about "reparation", at this point."
Actually, no, it isn't.
"...promulgating a rule would not (1) alter the fundamental nature of the political and trust relationship established by Congress between the United States and the Native Hawaiian community, (2) authorize compensation for past wrongs, or (3) have any direct impact on the status of the Hawaiian home lands, we are not seeking comments on those topics."
from "Procedures for Reestablishing a Government-to-Government Relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community", near the top under "Public Comment".
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Transcripts from Public Meetings in Hawaii - Wednesday, July 2 -- Hilo – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Keaukaha Elementary School
http://www.doi.gov/ohr/reorg/upload/Keau...070214.pdf
Reading the transcript from the public meeting at Keaukaha in July is disheartening. I made it in vain to page 27, Mililani Trask.
---------------------------
Add:
Read on a little further, unfortunately still to no avail.
I have to feel sorry for the moderator, Ms. Chang. She deserves a medal. But this made me laugh. I wonder if she lightheartedly accepted the chance to refer to Mr. Brown as Uncle Sam?
page 36
MS. CHANG: I have Samson Brown. Uncle Sam. Did you speak? Oh. No, no, no, Uncle. We're going to let everybody else speak. You know why, Uncle Sam?
MR. BROWN: I'm the kupuna.
MS. CHANG: Because, Uncle, I've got 120 people,
and I'm only on number 12.
MR. BROWN: It will be only a short one.
MS. CHANG: No, Uncle, just to be fair to
everybody.
MR. BROWN: Why? I'll tell you why. ..."
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quote: Originally posted by dakine
I am sure it will rile those that are insecure in their own beliefs and threatened by a stronger Hawaiian community
The only people I've seen get riled up about it are the parts of the Hawaiian community who think that this is a sell-out that will preclude "taking back" the islands from the US. Very few non-Hawaiians I know even know this is going on, and those that do, don't particularly care since it doesn't affect them much.
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A couple of obstacles I see is that America is "broke" since the economic downturn ( read as less services for more taxes ), and how "Homeland Security" looks at a group of people trying to overthrow an existing State government.
Best way to win this fight is to band together, create a list of goals for the Hawaiian people and an unlimited source of income to legally challenge matters in court, and only in court. I don't think you can ask for anything more than what is described as "equality" these days, but you can always try.
Community begins with Aloha
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FYI: Very good editorial - Civil Beat:
(*Snipped - More at link)
US Recognition of Native Hawaiians: Don’t Waste the Opportunity
A rule in the making would create the basis for a relationship between the federal government and a Native Hawaiian governing body.
http://www.civilbeat.com/2015/08/u-s-rec...portunity/
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That "very good" Civil Beat editorial doesn't say much in it's total of 8 sentences except give a very brief recap of the upcoming rule proposal. Reminding us the actual rule has not been made public yet, that once it has been made public it will be open for public comment for 30 to 60 days, and that President Obama has the opportunity to look over the rule proposal if he wishes. The entire opinion aspect is encompassed in this single sentence: "Only 15 months remain in the tenure of the man with the closest ties to Hawaii of any U.S. president in history, and Native Hawaiians should take advantage of that time."
For in depth information I would recommend going straight to the source at the D.O.I. links I provided above.
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