Revision as of 11:52, 17 May 2006

Introduction

Senator Akaka has promised to speak daily regarding S. 147, aka the Akaka Bill. Coming on the heels of a damning report released by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, it represents a new tactic for a troubled bill. As time permits, we will analyze Senator Akaka's remarks, and hope to present readers with timely corrections to historical errors Senator Akaka makes, as well as additional commentary that may be helpful in understanding the issues.

Background

January 20, 2006 USCCR meeting transcript

Hearings before the USCCR, including testimony from both pro-S.147 and anti-S.147 experts.

May 4, 2006 USCCR draft report recommending against the Akaka bill

Draft report including a findings section.

May 4, 2006 USCCR final report recommending against the Akaka bill

Final report with findings section redacted after complaint from 2 of the commissioners. See USCCR Akaka Findings for details on the findings.

Akaka Substitute Comparison

Detailed comparison between the current version of S.147 actually before the Senate, and an allegedly proposed version addressing some, but not all, of the concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice. Senator Akaka posted the trial balloon on his Senate website in September 2005 with great fanfare, but has never formally introduced it in the Senate. A few days later in September the DOJ issued a statement that the trial balloon still does not resolve important issues. Senator Akaka now complains that the U.S. Civil Rights Commission considered only the version actually pending in the Senate, and did not consider his allegedly amended version. Interestingly, the trial balloon was not different from the actually-pending bill on the issues of concern to the Civil Rights Commission, as can be seen by comparing the two versions.

Hawaii on the chopping block

Discussion of S.147 and its possible impacts.

Commission’s findings clarify position on Akaka Bill

Commentary piece from May 13, 2006 Honolulu Star Bulletin

Why Congress Must Reject Race-Based Government for Native Hawaiians

PDF explaining how S.147 offends basic American values.

Corrections

Correcting errors of fact and interpretation in Senator Akaka's speeches. Point-counterpoint, and further analysis.

• 2006-05-08 Akaka Fact Check
• 2006-05-09 Akaka Fact Check
• 2006-05-10 Akaka Fact Check
• 2006-05-11 Akaka Fact Check
• 2006-05-12 Akaka Fact Check
• 2006-05-15 Akaka Fact Check
• 2006-05-16 Akaka Fact Check