Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — Recent agreement puts Akaka Bill on fast track to senate [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Recent agreement puts Akaka Bill on fast track to senate

— — — — — By Jennifer Armstrong KaWai Ola On July 7, new clarifications to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (NHGRA) - also known as the "Akaka Bill" - were agreed upon and expected to help facilitate the bill's passage in the U.S. Congress. Hawai'i Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye,

Gov. Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett were united in the agreement, the first time since Lingle, a longtime supporter, voiced concerns over the current form of the bill. The changes clarify that the state laws - as well as heahh and safety regulations - will apply throughout the negotiation process between the Native Hawaiian governing entity, the State of Hawai'i and the U.S. government to determine

- powers and authorities among the three bodies. The changes not only address concerns raised by the Hawai'i Attorney General, but are also designed to ensure that Native Hawaiians are treated fairly. OHA applauded the clarifications and agreement as the agency prepares for the next steps

following passage. "We are verypleased that the clarifications

being made will allow all of us to move forward, in the Senate, on what we expect will be swift passage of the landmark bill," said Haunani Apoliona, OHA Chairperson. Following the OHA Board of Trustees unanimous vote on July 15 to support the changes to the bill, Apoliona said: "This bill is good for Hawaiians and will bring beneficial outcomes to all residents of Hawai'i. This is an opportunity

for Native Hawaiians to unite and move forward together with a collective voice. I encourage all Hawaiians, wherever they may reside, to participate in the process for it will take all of us working together to make a difference for years to eome." Passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act would represent a maj or mileSEE AGREEMENT ON PAGE 10

As I and my administration have said in previous eommunications to the Congress, Native Hawaiians have fought and died for this country in wars dating back almost 100 years. They fight today for this country in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Akaka Bill will not change the patriotism or valor of Native Hawaiians. It will not set up a foreign nation in Hawaii. It will, however, put Hawaii on an equal footing with its forty-nine sister states, and it will recognize Native Hawaiians just as America recognizes its other indigenous groups. It is fair and just - nothing more, and nothing less. — Gov. Linda Lingle in a July 13 letter to U.S. Senators

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Lingle

Akakū

lnouye

Bennett

AGREEMENT Continued from page 05

stone that moves Native Hawaiians closer to reconciliation more than a century after the overthrow of the Hawaiian government. The bill recognizes the inherent sovereignty of Native Hawaiians and provides them with the opportunity to reorganize a governing body that will negotiate for powers, authorities, land and resources. Native Hawaiians are the only group of Native Americans in the 50 states that has not been provided a process for federal recognition; Alaska Native and American Indians have had federal recognition for many years.

On July 13, Lingle sent a letter to U.S. Senators affirming her strong support of the NHGRA and encouraging them to support bringing the

bill to a vote in the Senate and to vote to enact it into law. The Governor wrote

that the biii wiii recognize Native Hawaiians just as America recognizes it other indigenous groups. It is fair and

just - nothing more, nothing less." ■