Akaka Bill Reintroduced In House And Senate

Press Release

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka today introduced The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 with Senator Daniel K. Inouye as an original cosponsor. Congressman Neil Abercrombie introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono cosponsoring. The text of the bill introduced today is identical to the bill passed by the House in 2000.

The bill would begin a process to form a Native Hawaiian government that could negotiate with the state and federal government on behalf of Hawaii's indigenous people. Any agreements would require implementing legislation by the state or federal government; no jurisdiction would be changed without approval. The bill would provide parity in federal policies that empower other indigenous peoples, American Indians and Alaska Natives, to participate in a government-to-government relationship with the United States.

In his floor statement today, Senator Akaka said: "Building on the constitutionally sound and deliberate efforts of Congress and the State of Hawaii, it is necessary that Native Hawaiians be able to reorganize a government and enter into discussions with the federal and state governments. My bill would ensure there is a structured process by which Native Hawaiians and the people of Hawaii can come together, resolve such complicated issues, and move forward together as a state."

Senator Inouye said: "This is a good bill and it is long overdue. The Hawaii Congressional Delegation will do its utmost to successfully pass this measure."

Congressman Abercrombie said: "The legislation we are introducing today is important, not only to Native Hawaiians, but to everyone in Hawaii. It provides a process to address longstanding issues facing Hawaii's indigenous peoples and the State of Hawaii. In addressing these matters, we have begun a process of healing, a process of reconciliation not only between the United States and the Native people of Hawaii, but within the State."

Congresswoman Hirono said: "It is a matter of decency—of human and civil rights—for the Congress to provide for a process of self-determination for an indigenous, native people. The House has twice voted to support federal recognition for Native Hawaiians, and I look forward to working with the Hawaii delegation on passing the bill again and having our Hawaii-born President Obama sign it into law."

Commonly known as the "Akaka Bill," the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act enjoys bipartisan support. In Hawaii, the bill is strongly supported by Governor Linda Lingle, and the State legislature has passed three resolutions in support of federal recognition for Native Hawaiians. In 2007, Hawaii State Attorney General Mark Bennett testified in strong support of the legislation before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Nationally, organizations such as the American Bar Association, Japanese American Citizen League, and the National Indian Education Association have passed resolutions in support. The largest national Indian organization, National Congress of American Indians, and the largest organization representing the Native people of Alaska, the Alaska Federation of Natives, have consistently expressed their strong support.

While Congress has traditionally treated Native Hawaiians in a manner similar to American Indians and Alaska Natives, the federal policy of self-governance and self-determination has not been formally extended to Native Hawaiians. Upon enactment the bill itself does not extend federal recognition - it authorizes the process for federal recognition.

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