Akaka Madness

I am profoundly disturbed by Hawaii’s political leadership’s unanimous support of the Akaka Bill. Their appraisal of the situation in Hawaii is typical of those who earnestly mean to do “Good” and through their best of intentions do irreparable harm. The State of Hawaii, as idyllic as it can be, is fundamentally a 3rd world country. Transparency in business and government is practically non-existent and nepotism is standard practice hidden under the native rubric for corruption: “local style.”

In any 3rd world nation, when a single ethnic group is allowed privileges that other ethnic groups do not enjoy, conflict, very often bloody, occurs. Those who did not grow up here cannot understand how violent life in Hawaii can be. And with the recent upswing in ‘ice’ usage (smoked crystal methamphetamine), the situation is only getting worse. Empowering a single ethnic group that believes itself to be victimized sets the stage for violent and race-based reprisals especially if this group collectively thinks it has a score to settle. In addition, unlike the various Native American groups, the assorted ethnic groups in Hawaii have blended to the point where a conclusive determination of race becomes extremely problematic. Where do you draw the line? How much “Hawaiian” is enough?

To create a separate Hawaiian Nation within the limited confines of the Hawaiian Islands would, at best, create a situation like Cyprus; forcing its citizens to live under an uneasy and tenuous peace. Left to itself and cut off from all external feedback, the Hawaiian culture would wither and die. That is the price cultures pay for attempting to remain static. They invariably lose their relevance and vigor. Education that promotes as its primary virtue an adherence to the “old ways” creates citizens who cannot compete in a global economy. Literacy exclusive to a little-known language devoid of a rich literary tradition is de facto illiteracy. As such a nation would inevitably fall into economic and social despair, the relative wealth of its neighbor would prompt criminal incursions, cross-border harassment and random violence stemming from frustration. Instead of the “melting pot” we currently enjoy, the Hawaiian Islands with a separate Hawaiian Nation would come to resemble Northern Ireland.

The State of Hawaii, if it is to move forward and prosper, needs to focus on the promise of the future and not the transgressions of the past. 9/11 has vividly shown us the perils of depending on tourism. Given our geographical location and ethnic make-up, Hawaii could bridge the social, political and cultural gap between the United States and China. By creating challenging jobs with opportunities for growth, Hawaii can keep its most talented youth instead of driving them away or sapping their enthusiasm. The poor and disenfranchised in Hawaii do not need encouragement that consists of promoting further victim ideology. They require proper training and an opportunity to compete in a global economy if they are to achieve any measure of independence. The Akaka Bill appeals to the basest instincts of the most downtrodden of the native Hawaiians, much as Robert Mugabe’s campaign promises assured Zimbabwe’s beleaguered citizens that their problems were caused by the “white devil.”

Passing the Akaka bill may do much to assuage the misplaced collective guilt of White America but it does so at the cost of the long-term viability of everyone living in Hawaii, particularly those the bill purports to help. More importantly, it sets an incredibly onerous precedent, legislatively affirming that ethnicity grants exclusive privilege- an idea that should be anathema to every American. We once fought our most devastating war to ensure the cohesiveness of our Country and promote the revolutionary idea that ethnicity would never determine a person’s future. The Akaka Bill would be the first step in rendering that sacrifice meaningless. A culture’s value is not defined by its technological or economic base. Nor can it be limited by mindless adherence to the “old ways.” The question that defines the only realistic debate for the positive future of Native Hawaiians is the same one that must be asked by Muslims. “How do we retain the central tenets of our culture while still remaining relevant and productive in a modern world?” Much has already been taken from the Hawaiian people. The Akaka Bill would take the only thing Native Hawaiians really need: a realistic hope for the success and financial independence of future generations.