It's too bad lawmakers could not come to agreement on that bill designed to settle past claims for a portion of ceded lands revenue due to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
But it became more than clear that, whatever the bill might have accomplished, it fell short of its primary purpose: To put to rest controversy over those ceded lands revenues. Indeed, the mere presence of the bill began to heighten controversy, not still it.
Some Hawaiians felt the amount of money and land in the proposal was not enough. Others were less concerned about the amounts than they were about the possibility that the legislation would stand in the way of future discussions about ceded lands and their revenue should a Hawaiian political entity emerge.
There were strong assurances from the authors that this bill only spoke to past disagreements, not a future discussion between the state and federal government and a Hawaiian entity, should one eventually emerge. But suspicions emerged.
It has become increasingly clear that all these matters: Who owns ceded lands, who is entitled to revenue from them, how much a claim Hawaiians have to the lands or their income and the future political status of Hawaiians are all intertwined. This may never be sorted out until a unified voice, speaking politically for all Hawaiians, finally emerges.
Who knows when that will happen?
(Note: Ceded lands are former Hawaiian government and crown lands --originally around 1.8 million acres on all islands, now somewhat less -- that were ceded in trust to the U.S. government upon annexation and then back in trust to the state upon statehood in 1959. They are supposed to be used for public benefits, including the betterment of Hawaiians. )
Hawai'i's Newspaper Online 
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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