Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 3, 1 March 1989 — Inouye Sets Hearings On Homesteads For May 24-27 [ARTICLE]

Inouye Sets Hearings On Homesteads For May 24-27

by Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer In the 69 years since its passage, the federal government has failed to conduct in-depth hearings on how well the United States has fulfilled its trust obligations as set forth in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920. This is a failure whieh Hawaii's senior Senator Daniel K. Inouye intends to rectify this year. lnouye, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs has announced a series of hearings to be held at homestead areas on four islands beginning May 24. These "oversight" hearings are expected to determine whether the United States has lived up to its commitment to native Hawaiians and, if not, what legislation or other action might be appropriate if it appears there has been a breach of trust.

Inouye noted that the 1983 Federal-State Task Force on the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act made 134 recommendations, but indicated he was displeased with the government's laek of response to those recommendations. Lurline McGregor, staff member of the Indian Affairs Committee, told Ka Wai Ola O OHA that the purpose of these hearings is to seek recommendations from groups and individuals affected by the Hawaiian Homes Act. She said there is not mueh doubt that a breach of trust has taken plaee and expects the testimony to establish that breach and focus on positive recommendations to determine how best to remedy it. McGregor said one possible result of the hearings could be a recommendation for some form of sovereignty for native Hawaiians. In August" of last year, Senator Inouye said sovereignty is "a legitimate issue that must be eon-

sidered by this (lndian Affairs) committee and the Congress." McGregor told Ka Wai Ola O OHA, "If people get themselves organized and eome to this hearing speaking with more or less one voice. . ,these hearings could very well be a vehicle for such a proposal." McGregor said there are a lot of questions whieh would have to be addressed, foremost among whieh is the creation of a governing struc ture agreeable to the community. She said, "If the community ean get together and figure out a way they would like to see this run, then I think it woule) be fair to say that Senator Inouye has been encouraging people to start thinking about how they want to achieve sovereignty." The dates and locations of the oversight hearings are as follows: Wednesday, May 24; Nanakuli, O'ahu Thursday, May 25; Waimea, Kaua'i Friday, May 26; Ho'olehua, Moloka'i Saturday, May 27; Keaukaha, Hawai'i A spokesman for Senator Inouye said the Committee will issue invitations to expert wit nesses, legal and historical, for the morning ses sions and to homestead associations for the after noon sessions on eaeh of the islands. Other groups who are potential beneficiaries will also be eon tacted. The spokesman said any homesteader wishing to testify should contact their homestead association. Individuals wishing to testify in the capacity ot a professional expert should write to: Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman, Select Committee on Indian Affairs; SH-838, U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510-6450.