Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 2, 1 February 2005 — Recognition bill introduced in 109th Congress [ARTICLE]

Recognition bill introduced in 109th Congress

By Derek Ferrar Hawai'i's congressional delegation has onee again introduced legislation that would formalize a federal political relationship with Native Hawaiians, similar to the status already held by Native American tribes and Alaska Native groups. The Native Hawaiian Govemment Reorganization Act - better known as the Akaka Bill after the measure's primary sponsor, Sen. Daniel Akaka - outlines a process through whieh the federal govemment, through the Department of the Interior, would extend formal political recognition to a yet-to-be-formed Native Hawaiian goveming body.

"The measure aims to extend the federal policy of self-determination and self-govemance to Hawai'i's indigenous, native people," a release from Akaka's office said, "thereby establishing parity in federal policies towards Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and American Indians." During last year's congressional session, the bill was prevented from reaching a full Senate vote by Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona and other opponents, who placed a procedural hold on the measure. At the end of the session, however, Kyl and the Senate leadership promised that the bill would get a full floor vote this year, in exchange for the Hawai'i senators' support for spending and energy

bills that would otherwise have been held up late in the session. Akaka told reporters that he wished to reintroduce the measure as early in the new congressional session as possible. In accordance with that plan, on Jan. 25 Akaka and Sen. Daniel Inouye officially introduced the bill in the Senate, while Reps. Neil Abercombie and Ed Case introduced an identical measure in the House of Representatives. Upon reintroducing the bill, the Hawai'i delegation hailed it as a vital step toward re-establishing Hawaiian self-determination and protecting Hawaiian programs and assets from legal attacks. "This bill is important to See AKAKA on oaae 6

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the people of Hawai'i because it provides a structured process to address the many longstanding issues resulting from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i," Akaka said. "The time has eome for us to constructively address these matters through the negotiations process envisioned after federal recognition is granted." Added Abercrombie: "This legislation gives the Native Hawaiian community the tools to chart its own destiny. It offers Hawaiians a seat at the table and a direct voice on issues critical to their material interests and cultural identity. The measure represents a lot of hard work and mana'o from the community, all directed toward the goal of justice for Native Hawaiians." The bill is expected to be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs in the

Senate and the Committee on Resources in the House. Akaka has requested that the bill get a hearing in the Indian Affairs Committee in late Lebruary or early March, when Gov. Linda Lingle is planning to be in Washington for a governors' conference. Lingle has frequently lobbied her fellow Republicans in the favor of the bill. McCain says he won't block bill Last month, the new chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, caused eoneem that he might derail the bill when he declared his opposition to it, saying, "When Hawai'i became a state, there was an implicit agreement at that time that Native Hawaiians would not receive the same status as Native Americans." After meeting with Inouye, however, McCain said that he would not block the measure from receiving an up-or-

down vote on the Senate floor. The Hawai'i senators said last session that they were confident they had the votes needed to pass the bill, but with four new Republicans and two new Democrats in the Senate following the recent eleehon, Akaka said he would have to speak to the new members to gauge their support. The House, meanwhile, voted solidly to back the recognition bill during the last Congress and is expected to do so again. Hawaiian Relations Olliee established One goal of the Akaka Bill has already been accomplished: during the last session, Congress approved the establishment of an Office of Native Hawaiian Relations within the Department of Interior to serve as a liaison between Native Hawaiians and the federal government. That office recently advertised for its first staff member, an analyst who would review federal policies and regulations

impacting Hawaiians. If the full intent of the Akaka Bill were to be effected, an entity called the Native Hawaiian Interagency Coordinating Group would also be formed, composed of federal officials from various agencies that administer Native Hawaiian programs and services. According to the language of the bill, onee a Hawaiian governing body has been formed and recognized, the federal and state governments would enter into negotiations with that entity over such matters as the transfer of lands and natural resources, and the exercise of governmental authority including civil and criminal jurisdiction. To read the full te.xt of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, or to find. out more about fed.eral recognition, visit NativeHawaiians.com.M