JOHN KERRY PROVES HIS LEADERSHIP WILL ADVANCE NATIVE HAWAIIAN CAUSE

[The Sushi Bandit]

Honolulu - Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Brickwood Galuteria said today a win for John Kerry in November will be a win for the Native Hawaiian people.

“President John Kerry will protect the current entitlements of Native Hawaiians and advance legislation for self-determination,” Galuteria said.

Galuteria’s remarks come on the heels of a statement released by John Kerry today on Native Hawaiian self-determination. In it Kerry reaffirms the Akaka bill and numerous programs to benefit Native Hawaiians, which were introduced by Democratic colleagues, Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye and Congressmen Neil Abercrombie and Ed Case.

“We’re very pleased about that,” Galuteria said referring to the Akaka bill. “It hasn’t quite moved the way we wanted it to move through the current administration. With Kerry as President, he could advance the cause for the Native Hawaiian population.”

Last month, A bill that would grant federal recognition to native Hawaiians cleared a major hurdle in the House but still faces the same roadblocks that have stalled its Senate version. Republican Senator John Kyl, from Arizona Republican remains opposed to the Akaka bill. The bill requires unanimous consent for a vote.