OHA to inform the public about the ‘Akaka Bill’ via two live television specials on KITV this month

HONOLULU — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will present a series of two live television specials beginning this week to inform the public about the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009.

Also known as the “Akaka Bill,” for its sponsor U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, this important piece of legislation is now before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

“The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has long been in the forefront of supporting a measure that provides a process of federal recognition to Native Hawaiians and OHA will continue that role in support of the Akaka Bill,” OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nämu‘o said.

“This is a complicated bill. We want to help both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike understand what this bill means, answer people’s questions, and help everyone prepare for what we believe will be successful passage of this landmark legislation,” he added. “OHA stands ready to work with our Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation, the Obama Administration, the State of Hawai‘i and our Hawaiian community. We appreciate the collective efforts and we look forward to the passage of this long overdue legislation. We are hopeful that the final version of the bill will be one that all parties can move forward with.”

OHA will produce two live television specials with community members and legal experts as panelists.

The first show, which will air on Thursday, January 7, at 8 p.m. on KITV, will feature community leaders as panelists including:

• Lilikalä Kame‘eleihiwa, Professor with the University of Hawai‘i Kamaküokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies.
• Michael Kahikina, Legislative Chair with Sovereign Councils of Hawaiian Homelands Assembly.
• Robin Danner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
• Bruss Keppeler, member of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

The second show will broadcast on Thursday, January 14, at 7 p.m. on KITV and will feature the legal implications of the bill before a panel of legal experts. Both shows will also be streamed live on KITV.com.

“We encourage the public to email their questions now to akakabill@oha.org. Viewers will also be able to call in their questions on the nights of the shows. We urge everyone to tune in. This will be an opportunity for the community to learn about legislation that has the potential to positively advance the lives of both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike,” Nämu‘o said.

For more information, go to www.OHA.org