United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D - Hawaii) issued the following statement after favorable consideration by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee of S. 225, the Native Hawaiian Housing bill. S. 225 would provide affordable housing assistance to Native Hawaiians waiting for the opportunity to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands.

"This measure is an important step forward in providing affordable housing assistance to Hawaiians. Federal studies have shown that Native Hawaiian housing conditions and problems are among the most serious in the nation. Including Native Hawaiians under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, which serves American Indians and Alaska Natives, will bring needed flexibility to help thousands of Native Hawaiians on the homelands waiting list, as well as those with homesteads who can't secure private mortgages."