New Statewide Survey: 2 to 1 Oppose Akaka Bill

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       Contact: Richard O. Rowland

                                                                                                                Tel: 808-864-1776  

July 14, 2005                                                                                          Email: grassroot@hawaii.rr.com

 

Hawaii’s Governor Lobbies in D.C. for Akaka Bill While Two Out of Every

                              Three of Hawaii Residents Say “NO!”

 

 

HONOLULU, HI – Governor Linda Lingle announced on Wednesday that she would depart for Washington, D.C. on

Saturday, July 16, 2005, to lobby the U.S. Congress for passage of the Akaka bill (S. 147 / H.R. 309). 

The Akaka bill, if passed, will impose a separate Native Hawaiian government on the state of Hawaii and on the

United States.  Hawaii’s Governor Lingle and Hawaii’s Congressional representatives – Sen. Akaka, Sen. Inouye,

Rep. Abercrombie, and Rep. Case – have been telling colleagues that the Akaka bill enjoys overwhelming support in Hawaii.

 

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) commissioned a comprehensive telephone survey by ccAdvertising of 280,000 homes

in the call universe in the State of Hawaii.  The results are in:

 

  • 81.63% of Hawaii residents oppose preferences for people groups based on race.
  • 67% of Hawaii residents responding to the question are against the Akaka bill       (S. 147 / H.R. 309). 
  • 64.5% of residents in Rep. Case’s district are against it.
  • 70.2% in Rep. Abercrombie’s district are against it.
  • Even Native Hawaiians are sharply split.  Almost 48% oppose it.

 

GRIH believes that a plebiscite of all Hawaii voters is needed before Congress even considers this bill. 

 

“Our Governor and Congressional delegation are spending our tax dollars lobbying Senators from other states

while ignoring their own constituents,” said Richard Rowland, President of GRIH.  “This is something for all to

keep in mind as Governor Lingle, Sen. Akaka, Sen. Inouye, Rep. Abercrombie, and Rep. Case peddle their

points – Congress passing the Akaka bill without local vote turns democracy on its head!”