A Dash of Calabash

Blogs sponsored by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) include:

This one, A Dash of Calabash. It is our central blog, so to speak. Your thoughts and comments are so important to us that we have put your ability to interact with us as the centerpiece of our website.

Your Voice Matters.

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Akaka Talka. As you might guess this one is focused on the proposed Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 (S147 H309) otherwise referred to as the Akaka Bill. It is a part of "Sunshine on the Akaka Bill" on the upper left of this homepage.

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Education Beat Hawaii is a separate website that invites your comments. Click here to get the latest on Education Reform.

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Feature - Projected State Spending Growth

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Survey of Hawaii Residents on the Akaka Bill

Recent Survey of Hawaii residents shows
two out of three oppose Akaka bill

The survey was conducted June 29 _ July 1, 2005 by Election Research ccAdvertising.
Contact: Gabriel Joseph, President. Tel: (703) 234-2200 Website: http://www.ccadvertising.biz

The survey called 10,000 homes in Hawaii and received responses from 1,696. It was statistically balanced by population density and recorded other demographic characteristics of respondents such as sex, age and Native Hawaiian heritage.

- 67.11% of all respondents oppose the Akaka Bill.

- 22.71% of all respondents identified themselves as Native Hawaiians.

- 34.42 % of respondents were Republican, 33.56% were Democrat and 32.01% did not affiliate with either major party

- 44.88% of respondents said they would be less likely to vote for an elected official who supported the Akaka bill

We have heard from the Governor, Congressional delegation and OHA that the Akaka bill has the overwhelming support of the people of Hawaii. (Linda Lingle testimony Senate Indian Affairs Committee 3/1/05 "it is supported overwhelmingly by people of all ethnic backgrounds"; Sen. Akaka "enjoys overwhelming support from Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaii" Congr. Record S2201; Ed Case "most people living in Hawaii support federal recognition of Native Hawaiians - I would say 70, 80 percent, so definitely our mainstream." Maui Weekly 6/19-25/05; OHA Chair Apoliona "both Hawaiians and non Hawaiians (86% and 78%) in both groups backing the Akaka bill" OHA Press Release 10/22/03.)

This survey establishes that two out of three residents of Hawaii are opposed to the Akaka bill. And that's in spite of the fact that there has been virtually zero education about the bill or the consequences should it pass except from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and other proponents of the bill. With appropriate education and wide open community discussion we believe the support for the Akaka bill will dwindle to one in four. Is it any wonder that none of the backers of this bill support an open plebiscite of all citizens?

The responses also indicate that an elected official supporting the Akaka bill is in danger of losing a large part of his or her base in the next election. Why? Because 44.88% of respondents said they are likely to change their vote if their representative votes for the bill.

We challenge Governor Lingle, our Congressional delegation and all proponents to amend the Akaka bill to require an open plebiscite yes or no vote to determine the will of Hawaii's people before any part of this radical and divisive bill becomes effective.