There is concern in this community that there has not been a single study done about the negative social/economic impacts that the Akaka bill could have on the native Hawaiian community, and the spillover effects that an adverse outcome could have on the non-native Hawaiian majority in the State of Hawaii.

The proponents of this legislation have not put forth a position paper that outlines the advantages that the Akaka bill would have for native Hawaiians, yet this issue is vitally important to our small community. My concern is that the advantages both social and economic are not readily apparent, but the disadvantages are all too obvious, and should certainly be addressed. Here are some of the concerns that come readily to mind:

• The administration and certain segments of Congress have expressed concerns about the constitutionality of this legislation. In view of these concerns, is there a possibility that the bill could be delayed by legal challenges that address the question of constitutionality? And could these challenges delay implementation indefinitely while they are being resolved?
  
  
• The legislation prevents the Hawaiian nation from introducing any forms of legalized gambling, which is providing the mainstay of revenues for the American Indian tribes. Where then will the new sovereign nation of Hawaii generate the revenues needed to run the nation and care for its citizens? Will it by necessity compete with State of Hawaii businesses by offering tax-free goods and services free of federal and state taxes? Will it be permitted to allow nonunion foreign nationals to produce goods and provide services at lower cost to compete with businesses located in the United States?
  
  
• What will be the economic impact on the state of Hawaii of having 50% of its land and the revenues generated by these lands transferred to the Hawaiian nation? Could this have an adverse impact on the Hawaii economy, and if so, how severe will it be?
  
  
• What will the impact on non-Hawaiian spouses, adopted children, and non-Hawaiian in-laws, of being denied citizenship in the new Hawaiian nation because of their race?
  
  
• One of the major reasons for given for introducing the Akaka bill was to protect Hawaiian racial entitlements, which appeared to be jeopardized by the Supreme Court decision, Rice versus Cayetano. Will this create a permanent underclass of native Hawaiians, who will be entitled to welfare assistance based on their race, even when their Hawaiian blood quantum has diminished to almost nothing? If welfare dependence is not good for non-Hawaiians of every race, how could it possibly be good for Hawaiians?
  
  
• Is there reason to be concerned that the Akaka bill could have severe social and economic consequences for the non-Hawaiians living in a significantly smaller State of Hawaii? And if the creation of the new Hawaiian nation harms the economy of the State of Hawaii, is there a possibility that this could generate racial discord and animosity in a state that has always been a symbol for racial harmony and cooperation?

The people of Hawaii deserve answers to these and a host of other questions. Before this legislation passes, Congress should determine the benefits and shortcomings of this legislation by initiating extensive and exhaustive economic and social analysis to guarantee that creating a sovereign nation of native Hawaiians does not adversely impact the economic and social structure of the State of Hawaii, which will be home to Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians for generations to come.

Mahalo and aloha for your consideration,
James Growney, U.S. citizen and native Hawaiian