Aloha and welcome to all of the dignitaries and guests here today, particularly Interior Secretary Babbitt.

It is nice to know that this day has finally come. What is notable about the enactment of the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act in 1995, which would not have been possible if it were not for Neil Abercrombie's support on the House floor, is that Congress and President Clinton moved beyond statutory limitations and legal constraints to provide justice for the Native Hawaiian people. Governor Cayetano and Kali Watson worked hard with federal officials since that time to implement this land exchange process and get to the point where we are at today.

I believe that today's agreement is an example of how the federal government can work with Native Hawaiians and the State of Hawaii to address outstanding land issues that have lingered without resolution for far too long. I attribute that process of working together to the Aloha Spirit that pervaded the negotiations. I hope that we can continue such a dialogue with the Clinton Administration so that we can resolve other land and political issues that are important to Native Hawaiians. Such a gesture of reconciliation would be good for the State of Hawaii and the nation.

Mahalo nui loa Governor Cayetano, Secretary Babbitt, and Deputy Assistant Navy Secretary William Cassidy for making this event possible.