Call it a media victory. The discussion of the proposed Native Hawaiian government is being treated like a true debate. After the strong opposition showing during the recent DOI hearings, it is impossible to ignore the fact that many people have serious reservations about the nation-building process. And the media has taken notice, leading the Grassroot Institute to have one of our best news segments to date on Native Hawaiian issues.
Grassroot President Keli’i Akina, Ph.D. appeared on Hawaii News Now’s “Sunrise” program to discuss Native Hawaiian governance, the problems with the Roll, and more. During the interview, he explained why many people–including Native Hawaiians–find the nation-building efforts to be contrary to the spirit of the original Kingdom of Hawaii. Stressing that the responsibility to help Native Hawaiians falls on the state as a whole (which is why everyone can–and should–vote in OHA elections), Dr. Akina called for the state to get out of the nation-building business and reallocate those resources toward efforts that could make a real difference.
Click here to watch the interview in its entirety.
