United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after the conclusion of arguments before the Supreme Court on the case of
Rice v. Cayetano:

"The Rice case raises significant issues, the outcome of which will impact all Hawaiians and all of Hawaii's people. In 1978, the people of Hawaii voted to empower Hawaii's indigenous people, the Native Hawaiians, through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to address the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians. This is fundamental – all the people of Hawaii recognized the importance of establishing a means to address the unique political status and economic needs of Hawaii's indigenous people. This case seeks to nullify this recognition.

"This case challenges Congress's authority to legislate on behalf of the aboriginal, indigenous peoples of Hawaii, Native Hawaiians. Legislation that fulfills America's trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians is not race-based discrimination.

"The United States has a trust obligation toward Native Hawaiians. To the framers of the Constitution, the term Indian referred to aboriginal, indigenous peoples. Indian tribe, therefore, refers to a distinct group of indigenous people set apart by common circumstances. Native Hawaiians fit this description. I expect the Court to affirm this interpretation. It is unfortunate that those who lack understanding of the history of Native Hawaiians have confused this trust responsibility to Hawaiians with racial preferences."