Federal legislation to clarify the relationship between the federal government and Native Hawaiians has been reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka. The bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last year but was rejected by
Federal legislation to clarify the relationship between the federal government and Native Hawaiians has been reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka.
The bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last year but was rejected by the Senate after reported fears that money for Native American programs would be diverted to Hawaiian programs proposed in the new legislation.
The reintroduced bill is identical to the one that failed to pass Congress last year. It is be referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, of which Inouye is a ranking Democrat on the committee. Akaka, also a Democrat and Inouye’s Senate mate from Hawai’i, is a member of the panel.
If approved by Congress, the bill would extend a “federal policy of self-determination and self-governance to Native Hawaiians” that would open the way for the reorganization of a Native Hawaiian government and a “federally recognized government-to-government relationship between Hawai’i and the United States,” Akaka said.
The measure would empower Native Hawaiians to resolve issues related to “organic governing documents,” including membership or citizenship in the recognized government, Akaka said.
The bill also would establish an office within the Department of Interior to focus on Hawaiian issues and another office that would serve as a liaison between Native Hawaiians and the U.S. during reconciliation efforts. It would also provide assistance during the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian government.
Akaka said the legislation is not aimed at circumventing a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Hawaii’s practice of allowing only the beneficiaries of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to vote for OHA trustees.
Through the Rice vs. Cayetano lawsuit, Big Island resident Harold “Freddy” Rice challenged the state’s previous practice of electing OHA trustees.
Akaka also challenged contentions the bill would establish race-based preference for any group.
“This measure focuses on the political relationship afforded to Native Hawaiians based on the United States’ recognition of Native Hawaiians as the aboriginal and indigenous people of Hawai’i,” Akaka said.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
