by Andrew Walden

Don’t want a fake Indian tribe for Hawaii?

You’ve got some influential friends in the House.

According to the October, 2016 edition of Ka Wai Ola, State of Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs put a simple question to legislative candidates:

Yes or No – Do you think supporting the recognition of a Native Hawaiian governing entity is essential to protecting Native Hawaiian programs and assets?

Among those answering ‘No’: House Speaker Joe Souki and past House Speaker Calvin Say.  The only other sitting House Democrat to say ‘no’ is HD34 Rep Gregg Takayama. 

On the Republican side, House Minority Leader Beth Fukumoto, HD43 Rep Andria Tupola, and HD40 Rep Bob McDermott all answered ‘No.’

Also indicating ‘No’--anti-Telescope protest leader Kealoha Pisciotta, running for HD3 as a Green.  Other ‘No’ non-incumbent candidates for House include Luana Jones (HD4—NP), Moke Stephens (HD4-C), Michael Last (HD5-L), Bruce Pratt (HD6-R),  Vickie Franks (HD16-R), Kathryn Henski (HD22-R), Katherine Kupukaa (HD37-R), Marc Paaluhi (HD44-R), Scott Noltie (HD46-R).

In the Senate, Republican Sam Slom was the only incumbent to answer ‘No.’  His Democratic opponent, Stanley Chang, is just another ‘yes’ in the Senate’s chorus of conformity.  Republican Senate Dist 25 candidate Robert Nagamine and Libertarian Senate Dist 13 candidate Harry Ozols are the only Senate challengers saying ‘No’ to the fake tribe.

Several candidates and incumbents did not respond to OHA’s questionnaire.

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