Akaka Bill gets unexpected ally

For the past dozen years, congressional Democrats have supported U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka’s Hawaiian sovereignty bill, without success — and the feel-good endorsement by U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., the only Native American in Congress, is not likely to change that.

Cole, a Chickasaw, has been a House co-sponsor of the Akaka Bill and was in Honolulu this week to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Linda Lingle, who supported the bill in the nation’s Capitol during her two terms as Hawaii governor.

Cole suggests Lingle would be a more effective advocate of the bill among the GOP as a senator, although Republicans overwhelmingly have claimed the bill is racially discriminatory.

However Hawaii’s U.S. Senate race turns out, though, the Akaka Bill’s future looks dim as long as Republicans control the House.

School’s out, so make some lei

It’s summer!

Well, not officially, as the first day of the summer season actually isn’t until June 20. But the public school year ended Thursday, which means the kids are out on break, and the rush-hour traffic will be mercifully lighter.

If you and the kids are idling today, do something productive: Head down to the Honolulu Hale courtyard and help string some lei for Memorial Day. Volunteers will be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. sewing flower garlands to place on veterans’ grave markers.

Or, string lei at home, then drop them off from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl or at fire stations. For even more venues to drop off lei, call the Parks Department at 768-3440.