Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 5, 1 May 2011 — Hawaiian Recognition advances in the U.S. Senate [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian Recognition advances in the U.S. Senate

The Native Hawaiian Govermnent Reorganization Act, conimonly lenown as the Akaka bill, was reported out of the Senate Indian Affairs Cominittee, currently Chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka, on April 7. S.675 now advances to the Senate floor for further consideration. During the markup, Senator Akalea stated: "Twodecadesago, theUnitedStatesapologized to Native Hawaiians for its participation in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i and coniniitted to a process of reconciliation. This hill is the necessary next step in that reconcihation process." In the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono introduced a eompanion measure to the Akaka hill, H.R. 1250, on March 30. H.R. 1250 currently has 51 co-sponsors, including Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa. OHA officials, led by Chairperson Colette Machado, Vice Chair Boyd Mossman and CEO Clyde Nāmu'o, traveled to Washington, D.C. in April to meet with key officials relating to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. This included all of Hawai'i's Congressional Delegation, officials from the Interior and Iustice Departments, and key staff of the Senate Indian Affairs Coniniittee and House Natural Resources Coniniittee. "Thanks to the efforts of Senator Akaka and the Hawai'i delegation, the Native Hawaiian people will soon have a process to achieve a government-to-government relationship that will help to protect our land, culture and way of life," said OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado. "I appreciate OHA's support of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, and look forward to their kōkua in finally enacting this important Legislation," said Senator Akaka. ■

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GOVERNANGE To restore pono and ea, Native Hawaiians will achieve self-gover-nanee, after whieh the assets of OHA will be transferred to the new governing entity.

In April, OHA Trustees and administration met with U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka in Washington, D.C. From left are: OHA Chief Operating Officer Richard Pezzulo, Chief Advocate Esther Kia'āina, CE0 Clyde W. Nāmu'o, Senator Akaka, OHA Trustee and Vice Chair Boyd Mossman, Chairperson Colette Machado and Tim Johnson of 0HA's D.C. Bureau. - Photo courtesy ofOffice ofU.S. Senator ūaniel K. Akaka