HAUNANI APOLIONA. HOLY MACKEREL, THERE SHE GOES AGAIN!!!!

Haunani Apoliona, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has spoken. And by Gosh when she says that "the majority has spoken: Hawaiians deserve self-determination" (Honolulu Star Bulletin, Sunday 9/12/'7) you better believe I damned well listen.

Except for that stuff again about that Grass Root Institute Of Hawaii. If it didn't already exist, we'd have to make one up. Quite frankly, I don't know what Haunani is on about with all those "push-polls" she says the Institute has been force feeding the public. I, for one have never been polled by them. In fact, in nearly 15 years of continued residence in Hawaii, I have never, ever, ever been polled on one single native Hawaiian issue. I was not one of the 380 polled by Ward Research, a scientific poll this one conducted on behalf of OHA, not like one of those "push-polls" she mentions (twice) in her editorial. Nor will I be, sadly, among those weighing in on that "democratic process" she speaks of. Haunani should know about democracy given the Voltairian respect she holds for dissenting views.

As a high profile spokeswoman for the Hawaiian community, she should really get past name calling and attempts to infantilize the public. No Ms Apoliona, the Akaka bill isn't some Matignon Accord or preamble to the decolonization of Hawaii; just ask the pro-independence, anti-Akaka bill activists in the Hawaiian community. No, the public isn't shaking in its slippas at the thought of gambling in Hawaii. No, those who oppose, criticize the Akaka bill or just question its validity are not Hawaiian haters intent on depriving them of their civil rights as implied by the two geniuses Kaohano and Galuteria on your OHA radio show a few weeks ago (Gee Whiz, speak of barrage!)

So how about not taking people for idiots and how about we quit calling them "big liars", "propagandists" and "fear mongers of misinformation"(?)

The mention of Civil Rights brings to mind the historical 1988 vice presidential debate between Lloyd Bentsen and incumbent Dan Quayle.

I remember the Civil Rights movement. I remember the issues around the Civil Rights movement. I remember the people in the Civil Rights movement and most of all, I remember their eloquence.

Ms Apoliona, THIS is no Civil Rights Movement.