FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  Contact: Richard O. Rowland

                                                                                                                Tel: 808-864-1776 

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

New Statewide Survey: 2 to 1 Oppose Akaka Bill

HONOLULU, HI – After its sample 10,000 home survey last week, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) commissioned a new

comprehensive telephone survey by ccAdvertising of the remaining 280,000 homes in the call universe in the State of Hawaii. 

The results are now in:

67% of Hawaii residents responding to the question are against the Akaka bill (S. 147 / H.R. 309). 

Hawaii’s Congressmen have been telling us and their colleagues that Hawaii’s residents support the bill, yet our

newest comprehensive survey indicates that:

              •  64.5% of residents in Rep. Case’s district are against it.

              •  70.2% in Rep. Abercrombie’s district are against it.

Many prominent names appeared in a recent two full page OHA ad supporting the bill, but our survey  shows:

              •  71.24% of Rep. Marcus Oshiro’s 39th State House District are against it.

              •  65.52% of Senator Fred Hemmings’ 25th State Senate District are against it.

              •  Even Native Hawaiians are sharply split.  Almost 48% oppose it.

              •  81.63% of Hawaii residents oppose preferences for people groups based on race.

In the 2004 Presidential election, automated pollsters, using innovated systems like ccAdvertising’s, predicted actual

election results better, faster and less expensively than the old way.  One finding of this latest poll should be of

concern to politicians who support the breakup of the State of Hawaii (and perhaps ultimately the breakup of

other states and the United States) which would result from the Akaka bill.

              •  45% of Hawaii residents are less likely to vote for an elected official who supports the bill.        

Sunshine is the best disinfectant in this democracy.  In the interest of full and open discourse, the State Capitol

auditorium has been reserved on July 23 and 26.  Last week GRIH Bruce Fein challenged Governor Lingle or

Attorney General Mark Bennett to debate the Akaka bill and its consequences for Hawaii and the United States. 

No response has been received.

 “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.  “They

must serve the public by having an open debate in Hawaii and at the minimum require a

plebiscite of all Hawaii voters before Congress even considers this bill.”