February 11, 2010

The term "native Hawaiian" is inaccurate and misleading. The Supreme Court in the Rice versus Caetano decision characterized it as a proxy for racism. It is easy to understand why. Prior to the 1978 constitutional convention, there were two definitions for native Hawaiians: Hawaiians, who were individuals with 100% Hawaiian blood, and half Hawaiians, who had 50% Hawaiian blood and 50% non-Hawaiian blood. These individuals qualified in their respective collective categories because their majority blood quantum was Hawaiian. (more)

Anyone for Honesty? How About Integrity?

Rooted in Reason

February 08, 2010

Some of the key people pushing the Akaka bill have screwed up. But they do not know it yet. That is because they are so arrogant. They pulled a back room secret deal to modify the bill; failed in the House Committee and succeeded in the Senate. That gives us two vastly different bills. (more)

Pearl Hahn

Policy Analyst

Pearl Hahn earned a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) in Psychology and Government from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. As an undergraduate there, she held positions at The Department of Homeland Security and the Public Diplomacy Council. She was also a mentor for middle-school students from under-served areas with the Higher Achievement Program. Having grown up in New Hampshire and New Jersey, Pearl enjoys reading at the beach and learning to surf in her free time.

She can be reached at pearl@grassrootinstitute.org.