Dear Representative Hirono,
Your press release on the appointment of William Burgess and Paul Sullivan to the Hawaii Civil Rights Advisory Board in which you state 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.
Here is the press release: “Congresswoman Hirono Applauds Appointment of Amy Agbayani, While Expressing Concern about Composition of Hawaii Civil Rights Advisory Group”
Most of us who live here don’t like it, and moreover, the ultimate goal of sovereignty for native Hawaiians is not supported by Hawaii’s history of racial inclusion. You might not like the appointment of Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Burgess, but that doesn’t justify telling a fib.
When the alii invited our non-Hawaiian ancestors who were not for the most part Americans to come and blend with native Hawaiians to build Hawaii together, they didn’t tell them that someday that promise would be refuted by the creation of a racially exclusive and unequal status. Many non-Hawaiians were born in the Kingdom and were equal subjects. Such were my grandparents.
Perhaps it would be more intellectually honest for you to listen to the people by allowing some way to publically determine what people truly want. We’re all tired of being lied to by politicians. In my opinion ”’most of us oppose”’ the Akaka bill, contrary to your press release.
Furthermore, I know you to be a bright and aggressive lady and suspect that you see the insurmountable constitutional problems with this. So why not take the position you have taken?
The prospective Akaka law will be invalidated by the judicial system which you can blame, and you won’t have to answer to native Hawaiians. Is that it?
”’Paul de Silva, author of this letter, is a former Judge, Hawaii County Police Commission member and legendary Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney in the 1970