Hawaii moves toward second 'ethnic' government

NewsMax: In a move that critics call a direct threat to the U.S. Constitution, federal legislation is moving forward in Congress to create a second, separate government in Hawaii solely controlled by ethnic and indigenous Hawaiians. Proponents of the so-called Akaka bill -- named for its primary author, Hawaii Democrat Sen. Daniel Akaka -- say it would give native Hawaiians home rule and control of lands and other assets now being managed in their name by various state and federal agencies.

The Akaka bill appears poised for final votes in both the U.S. Senate and House, despite opposition from the Justice Department and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and growing pressure on the White House to veto the measure. Nearly identical versions have cleared committee hurdles in both chambers and now await only final floor action. Supporters say the ethnic Hawaiian government would be similar to those established by numerous American Indian tribes. But opponents suggest the Akaka bill is more sweeping than those pertaining to current tribal governments and maintain it would create a race-based government that assigns unequal privileges that are simply unconstitutional. . . . [Read More]

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