Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 9, 1 September 1994 — Mai Wakinekona [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mai Wakinekona

Here is the status of some federal hills ofinterest and importance to Hawaiians:

Education The Native Hawaiian Education Act went into conference committee in early August so that the differences between the two chambers' versions of the reauthorization bill could be worked out. The House's version of the legislation would establish community-based education centers in eonjunction with the community colleges on eaeh of the major islands as well as create a Native Hawaiian Education Council. It would also continue funding for: Pūnana Leo, the private Hawaiian-language immersion preschools, and Kula Kaiapuni, the state Department of Education immersion program; Pihana Nā Mamo, the Native Hawaiian Special Education Project; and scholarships and guidance to Hawaiian college students (administered by Kamehameha Schools). The Senate's version would fund the same types of programs, but does not name organizations to carry out those programs. It also would continue funding programs for gifted and talented students (currently, federal funding goes to Nā Pua No'eau, the Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children at UH-Hilo).

ReIigion The House and Senate also began reconciling their differences on the Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act on Aug. 10. The bill is now called the Native American Cultural Protection and Free Exercise of Religion Act. The legislation started out as a strong statement regarding the rights of Native Americans to practice their religions, with timber, dams, roads and other industries and developments taking a back seat. But the many interests — including mining, timber and state governments — opposed to the bill are expected to succeed in striking the language allowing native religious practice to take precedence over or and stop development. Language regarding the ceremonial use of peyote, the return of eagle feathers to Indian tribes, and prisoners' rights to worship in the manner they choose will likely survive, according to OHA land and natural resources officer Linda Delaney. Some Native American tribes have expressed eoneem that the bill attempts to define their traditional religious practice.