YES, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SECESSION, BUT MORE CONCERNED ABOUT RACIAL
DISCRIMINATION
The July 17 Star-Bulletin editorial on the new appointments to the Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights correctly mentions that I am concerned that the Akaka Bill may lead to attempts by a “Re-organized” Hawaiian Government to secede from the United States. Yes, I am deeply concerned, as are many others, that the State of Hawaii could be torn apart. This is why:
(as printed in the July 20, 2007 Honolulu Advertiser)
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono’s press release on the appointment of William Burgess and Paul Sullivan to the Hawai’i Civil Rights Advisory Board in which she states that the “group does not appear to reflect the position of the majority of the people of Hawai’i” misrepresents what I know to be the more prevalent public opinion about the Akaka bill.
Jul 21
Posted by Ken Conklin in Commentary | Comments off
by Ken Conklin
Ancient burial remains are sometimes found when new roads or buildings are under construction in Hawaii. Must the bones be left in place? If so, then multimillion dollar redesign might be necessary to avoid disturbing the bones, or the project might get cancelled because there would be no way to avoid disturbing them. Can the bones be moved out of the way to let the project go forward? Who decides, and on what criteria?
This essay is a philosophical inquiry into some of the historical, legal, and moral issues involved in deciding what to do when respect for ancient burials clashes with current economic desires and social needs.
Here are some conclusions.
Jul 14
Posted by Ken Conklin in Commentary, News | Comments off
by Ken Conklin
On July 14, 2007 the Honolulu newspapers reported that the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has approved the nominations of 14 new members to its 17-member Hawaii State Advisory Committee. News reports and commentaries are compiled in references further down in this post.
Jul 9
Posted by Ken Conklin in Commentary | Comments off
by Ken Conklin
“We are in the playground. We are in the classroom. We are with you at work — and at play. We are in the neighborhood — and the community center. We are OHA. Although you may not see us in your everyday lives, OHA’s services, programs and advocacy impact you and your ‘ohana [family]. We are the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and we are here to serve you.”
Those are the words of a 30-second commercial broadcast hundreds of times on numerous TV stations during at least May, June, and July of 2007. In particular, it was on the KHNL TV News at 10 PM on Sunday July 8, 2007 approximately 6 minutes into the newscast. OHA refuses to disclose how much money it has spent over the years on TV, radio, and newspaper commercials like this, but it’s probably several million dollars.
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OHA Racist Kau Inoa TV Commercials — transcripts and analysis; plus background information about how the Kau Inoa program fits into strategy for the Akaka bill, and how much OHA has spent on lobbying
Jul 25
Posted by Ken Conklin in Commentary | Comments off
by Ken Conklin
SUMMARY
A webpage provides transcripts and in-depth analyses of three especially offensive racist TV commercials for OHA’s Kau Inoa project, featuring Lilikala Kame’eleihiwa, Vicky Holt Takamine, and Butch Helemano. A fourth “cutesy” commercial featuring youthful singer Raiatea Helm is also described. These commercials were broadcast repeatedly on all major and many minor TV stations throughout Hawaii during at least early to mid 2007.
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