U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) today introduced a modified version of the Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill which would clarify the political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the United States. The goal of the legislation remains unchanged: it extends the federal policy of self-determination and self-governance to Hawaii's indigenous, native peoples - Native Hawaiians, thereby establishing parity in federal policies towards Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives and American Indians.

The revised bill refines legislation (S. 81) introduced earlier this year to clarify the political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the United States. The modification makes three major changes to the previous bill. Most significantly, the bill introduced today removes the prescribed reorganization process for the Native Hawaiian governing entity from the measure. The reorganization process in the previous federal recognition bill drew the most comment because of its mandate of a specific reorganization process. After reviewing testimony from joint Senate-House hearings held in Hawaii last August and recommendations from their colleagues in the House of Representatives and Senate, the delegation removed the reorganization process mandate. In addition, the legislation explicitly states that neither gaming in Hawaii, under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, nor eligibility for programs administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs is authorized by the bill.

"This bill does three things," Akaka stated. "First it provides for a process for federal recognition of the Native Hawaiian governing entity. Second, it establishes an office within the Department of the Interior to focus on Native Hawaiian issues and to serve as a liaison between Native Hawaiians and the Federal government. Finally, it establishes an interagency coordinating group to be composed of representatives of federal agencies which administer programs and implement policies impacting Native Hawaiians. Our objective has not changed.

"These modifications reflect the consensus in our delegation that the reorganization process must be determined by the Native Hawaiian community. We are confident that improvements made to the legislation will strengthen our efforts to work with the Native Hawaiian community, the Bush Administration, and the State of Hawaii and provide Hawaii's indigenous peoples with the opportunity to formally engage in a government-to-government relationship with the United States."