Oil covered macadamia nuts.

(What's up with the two Democrats from Hawaii consistently voting to drill in ANWR?)

Recently, the Senate was called to vote on whether or not to drill for oil in the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. All Democrats (as well as several GOPers) voted against this except four. Two of which I'd like to have a closer look at.

For not-publicly known reasons, the two Democratic senators from Hawaii, Akaka & Inouye consistently vote with their GOP adversaries on the issue of drilling in Alaska. Wonder why? Well, it's sorta weird. It might surprise you to learn that for years, the native Hawaiian Islanders have been fighting with the U.S. government for a change of recognition status. Right now, Hawaiians are regarded as American citizens with all the basic rights and privileges granted to you and I. But for years, they have been trying to get that changed. They would prefer to be legally recognized as citizens of a Hawaiian Nation. Much like the way Native American Indians have partial sovereignty on Indian reservations. Hawaiians would have the right to negotiate things like trade and land-use, port-use, etc.

Note: In Alaska, Native American Alaskans enjoy a similar status. Sort of. The Native Alaskans, about 40 years ago, were granted the right to roll up their tribes into corporations and the land that they resided on wasn't so much "reserved" by the government as it was allowed to be owned by the tribal corporations. These tribal businesses are the largest single FOR-PROFIT entities in the state of Alaska. It also so happens that ANWR is situated on "Arctic Tribal Slope Company" land. A privately-owned tribal corporation that stands to benefit greatly -- to the sum of some billions of dollars a year -- if oil starts pouring out of the refuge. Hmmmmm....

So what does this have to do with Hawaii?

Well, meet Senator Ted Stevens, R- Alaska. The Senate's most senior republican and also it's President Pro Tem (3rd in line of Presidential succession). He is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees all spending that the Senate authorizes and also happens to be a LARGE benefactor of the Arctic Tribal Slope Company. They in fact, are the largest contributor to his campaign and lease real-estate owned privately by Stevens. These real-estate deals are worth $6 million a year on a 20 year lease... and that $$$ goes to the honorable Ted Stevens personally, avoiding those pesky legal hurdles usually associated with buying a politician. He's one rich and powerful old white dude. You may also know him by the nickname "The Bridge to Nowhere Senator." (he's famous in the Senate for his ability to steer pork-barrel money into Alaska on an unprecedented scale). Or you may remember him by his refusal to make oil executives swear-in at a recent Senate sub-committee investigation despite wide-spread objection (he's the chairman, he's got the right).

Anyway, Hawaii has introduced a bill called the "Akaka/Stevens" bill to grant Hawaiians tribal status. "Akaka/STEVENS??" Hey, he's not from Hawaii... WTF? Well, it turns out that it's fairly common knowledge among senators that, in exchange for Hawaii's unwavering support of anything Stevens proposes, Stevens has promised to wield his tremendous influence to help Akaka and Inouye pass the bill they've been trying to get through the Senate.

That's it. Pretty simple. It's kind of a shame to see how easily some Democrats could turn their backs on the environment, the truth and their personal beliefs to cash in a favor.

More easy reading on the matter here:

http://www.hawaiiislandjournal.com/2005/02a05b.html