United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) announces that the Department of the Interior and Department of Justice have designated representatives to help implement the reconciliation effort called for in P.L. 103-150, legislation offering an apology from the United States for the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Senator Akaka, author of the 1993 Apology Resolution, wrote to Attorney General Janet Reno and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt seeking the designation of an official within each department to implement the reconciliation process and act as liaison to the Native Hawaiian community. The Senator specifically asked that the Interior representative address political status and ceded land issues. In response to Senator Akaka's request, the Attorney General designated Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ) Director Mark Van Norman. OTJ is responsible for coordinating Justice Department efforts on issues of concern to Native peoples. Secretary Babbitt selected John Berry, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, as point of contact.
"I thank the Attorney General and Secretary of the Interior for their affirmative responses," Akaka stated. "These designations will establish needed dialogue between Native Hawaiians and the Executive branch on a foundation based on equity and moral responsibility.
"Ultimately, the only way to remedy the lack of self-determination rights for Native Hawaiians is through Congressional action. However, Congress cannot do this alone. Consultation between Federal agencies and Native Hawaiians is a necessity. Designating officials within Interior and Justice to address political status and ceded land issues, and coordinate with Native Hawaiians and Congress on possible remedies is an important step forward."
Out of the five indigenous groups under U.S. jurisdiction - American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, American Samoans, and Chamorros - Native Hawaiians are the only group denied the right to self-determination under current law. American Indians and Alaska Natives are able to avail themselves of the federal recognition process at the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Other ways for federal recognition for these two groups have been through treaties, Presidential executive orders, statutes, and case law. Under international law, as citizens of non self-governing territories, American Samoans and Chamorros have self-determination rights to pursue full independence from the United States, seek free association with the United States, or seek integration with the United States.
P.L. 103-150 urges President Clinton "to support reconciliation efforts between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people." The Interior Department is the most logical federal agency to take the lead on reconciliation efforts for the Executive Branch. In addition, the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act (Public Law 104-42) provides that the Interior Department official designated to administer U.S. responsibilities under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act shall (1) advance the interests of the beneficiaries; and (2) assist the beneficiaries and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in obtaining assistance from programs of the Department of Interior and other federal agencies that will promote homesteading opportunities, economic self-sufficiency, and social well-being of the beneficiaries.
"It is my expectation that this dialogue will lead, over time, to listening conferences and hearings that encourage Hawaiians to participate and share their mana'o," remarked Akaka. "Self-determination and resolution of longstanding concerns is only possible through the process of reconciliation and the building of consensus."
