GOVERNOR ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY

May 10 - Governor Lingle was in Washington, D.C., where she met with members of Congress to express her support for the Hawaiian Homeownership Act and the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill.

"That's my role and I'm going to continue to play it because I believe so strongly in the importance of passing this legislation," the Governor said.

Thursday, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved legislation to reauthorize federal funding for Native Hawaiian housing programs and provide federal recognition similar to Native Americans.  On May 2, the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved the Akaka Bill for consideration by the full House.  Senator Daniel Inouye expects the legislation to be heard before a full Senate "sometime after May.

Read " Lingle keeps up fight for Akaka bill" and an update on the Honolulu Advertiser website.

For more information, please visit a website dedicated to federal recognition for Native Hawaiians.