U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono's West Hawai'i field representative, Richard "Dickie" Nelson, recently wrote The Advertiser to criticize the polling conducted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii that painted the Akaka bill unfavorably.

Nelson dismissed the GRIH's polling questions as biased. Others doubt the credibility of other polls (e.g., a 2006 Advertiser poll) as biased. Regardless, I'm glad to see that Representative Hirono is interested in how informed citizens really feel about this issue.

It seems what's needed is a serious statewide discussion concerning what makes sense to assist those who are in need and are of native Hawaiian ancestry — in the context of the overarching American principle that discrimination solely on the basis of race or ancestry is generally considered antithetical to the U.S. Constitution.

In light of Mr. Nelson's interest on behalf of Ms. Hirono, it's now my impression that Ms. Hirono would like to go beyond a "dueling polls" version of public discourse and instead encourage a discussion that contrasts the likely benefits versus the detriments of the Akaka Bill for the state.

Then, let's have a referendum!

Mike Rethman writes from Honolulu. This letter originally appeared in the July 29, 2007 Honolulu Advertiser.