Sunday, August 30, 2009

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Reaffirms Opposition to the Akaka Bill

In a letter dated August 28, 2009 the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reiterates its opposition to S. 1011, The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act 0f 2009.

“The Commission recommends against passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act ... or any other legislation that would discriminate on the basis of race or national origin and further subdivide the American People into discrete subgroups accorded varying degrees of privilege.”

Go to link to view entire letter:

https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=9559c356-2d5f-4184-b98c-814a922708b8

Not only would the Akaka Bill discriminate on the basis of race, it discriminates against “native Hawaiians” on the basis of national origin.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Who Can Prove The Akaka Bill Is Not Race Based?

Akaka Bill just amounts to false promises and racism
POSTED: June 16, 2009
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/519830.html?nav=18

When will the misinformation ("Akaka Bill a vital step," Today's Editorial, June 13) stop about how great the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 is?

The writer, as do many proponents, contends: "It is only possible to create an equitable, honorable and peaceful future for Hawaiians and those who support them" through the passage of S. 1011. The written facts prove otherwise.

Between the legalese, fancy play and placement of inspiring words in this bill, if passed by the United States Congress it will have manufactured the illusion Hawaiians are giving consent to the terms in this bill. The "Native Hawaiians" in this bill are subject to the definition in The Hawaiian Homes Act of 1920, Section 201: any descendant of not less than one-half part of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands previous to 1778.

Aside from the blood quantum language (genocidal), how come the United States government does not legally recognize the years and accomplishments after 1778? No matter how pleasant to our ears the Akaka Bill is played, it clearly resounds with false promises and racism.

Until society is willing and acts definitively to change the laws that by definition are racist, the United States of America will always be a racist society.

Foster Ampong
Kahului. Maui

Monday, August 24, 2009

Response (From LTE-Maui News) to Boyd Mossman Comment. Brutally Blunt, But Necessary

Statehood amounts to colonialism
POSTED: August 23, 2009

Sovereignty would not be possible without statehood, said retired 2nd Circuit Judge and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Boyd Mossman (The Maui News, Aug. 20).

Please, Mr. Mossman, stop insulting our intelligence. Hawaiians were already an independent country and people until the Americans came in 1893 and helped a bunch of crooks - plantation and missionaries - steal and enslave all the Hawaii nationals.

Statehood is not self-determination, it is colonialism.

As you have stated on many occasions, you are proud to be an American. For the record, I am Hawaiian by blood and American by force!

Foster Ampong
Kahului

What Hawaii Statehood Really Means

August 21, 2009 Hawaii’s government, its political and business elite celebrated the 5oth Anniversary of the so-called 1959 Admissions Act or what now is commonly referred to as “Statehood.”

Thousands of Hawaiians and their supporters from Hawaii’s ethnic communities throughout the islands and abroad marked the day with marches, protesting and rallies against this insulting and perverted notions that the majority of na kanaka maoli (indigenous Hawaiians)wanted to be part of the United States in 1959. The facts remain and cannot be successfully disputed otherwise. The majority of those that voted in the 1959 plebiscite for Statehood were non-Hawaiians such as Military Personnel, their dependents and immigrant residents.

About 11% of eligible Hawaiians voted to the roughly 96% non-eligible casting ballots in 1959. Unlike humans that covet our islands, the math does not lie.

The majority of eligible Hawaiians did not vote for fear of losing their jobs and related benefits. My mother, Emma Kaiu Kimokeo stated prior to her death (2005) she never wanted in 1959 to be part of the United States. Like many other Hawaiians she was told by her employer (Baldwin Packers) at the Pineapple Cannery on Front Street, Lahaina Town if she voted against Statehood, Hawaiians like herself would not be getting the earnings and medical benefits they were then receiving.

Emma Kaiu Kimokeo did not vote in the 1959 Plebiscite.

As my mother neared the end of her life shortly after this conversation she did something unexpected. She called me one morning angry and defiant. She blurted out, “Foster. I can’t give up my US citizenship! How am I going to live without social security and medical?”

You see, a few days earlier my mother and I were talking about my research into our family genealogy and how It related to the cultural, political and religious history she knew only through our family mo`olelo (oral history). I explained how my experiences over the last seven years gave me clarity as to who I am.

I told her that morning she called she didn’t have to give up anything. She was Hawaiian no matter what anyone else said or did to her.

As I reflect on the passion, bravery and resolve of those that marched, protested and rallied against FAKEHOOD, there is one poster from Orlando, Florida (of all places) I saw that describes what my mother felt that morning and I guess most Hawaiians feel everyday

We are Hawaiian by Blood...American by FORCE!