U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) applauded the release by the Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights of "Reconciliation at a Crossroads: The Implications of the Apology Resolution and Rice v. Cayetano for Federal and State Programs Benefitting Native Hawaiians." The Hawaii Advisory Committee report is based upon community forums held in 1998 and 2000 to collect information on P.L. 103-150, the Apology Resolution, and the Supreme Court decision in the Rice case. Senator Akaka's statement follows:

"I deeply appreciate the efforts of the Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the members of the Commission for their excellent work and sound recommendations in addressing an issue of great interest and concern to Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaii. I commend Kahu Charles Maxwell, David Forman, and all the committee members who wrote and reviewed this important document for their dedication to improving the quality of life for Native Hawaiians. The findings and recommendations contained in the report are important contributions in the dialogue of reconciliation.

"The report reflects the mana'o offered by the Native Hawaiian community over a two-year period on a range of complex issues. Of equal importance, the report reaffirms that the lack of federal recognition for Native Hawaiians 'appears to constitute a clear case of discrimination' deserving the attention of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The report underscores the substance, tone, and recommendations contained in the October 2000 'Report on the Reconciliation Process Between the Federal Government and Native Hawaiians' by the Departments of the Interior and Justice. Together, these reports chart a course for the U.S. to address substantive issues of longstanding concern to Native Hawaiians.

"I find it compelling that two comprehensive, thoughtful inquiries have reached the same conclusions: Native Hawaiians should have self-determination within the framework of Federal law over their own affairs, Congress and the Executive branch need to act to accelerate and bring permanency to the reconciliation process, and the diversity of views among Native Hawaiians must be respected. Clearly, Federal recognition of the reorganized Native Hawaiian governing entity for the purposes of a government-to-government relationship is essential to provide Native Hawaiians with the opportunity to participate in Federal policies affecting their lands, natural resources, language, culture, and traditions.

"I congratulate the Hawaii Advisory Committee for its excellent report and look forward to working together to continue this important journey towards reconciliation between the United States and Native Hawaiians."