Aloha kakou!

I want to express my gratitude to Senator Inouye and Representative Abercrombie for chairing this series of hearings in Hawaii. Mahalo for your patience and support. I would also like to thank Representative Mink for her participation in these important sessions. To my brother Eni Faleomavaega, mahalo nui loa for your generous involvement. I look forward to working with you, Representative Abercrombie and the other members of the House Resources Committee to favorably report this measure.

Mahalo nui loa to the community for sharing your mana'o with us over the course of this week. The oral and written testimony, letters, and phone calls will help us improve this legislation as we move forward in Congress. I am pleased to see the discussion that this legislation has generated. I am encouraged by the interest taken in this measure and the dialogue about the legislation. Only through addressing and attempting to resolve these longstanding issues will we be able to move forward as a people.

S. 2899 was written to bring the Native Hawaiian community together, and in doing so, strengthen our entire community and lift all the people of Hawaii. We are all looking to build a better future for Hawaii's children.

This measure will provide the Native Hawaiian community with an opportunity to form a governing entity for a government-to-government relationship with the United States. Let me be very clear. This measure clarifies the political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the federal government. This measure addresses the political relationship within the framework of federal law. The political relationship already exists. The United States has a special responsibility for the welfare of the Native peoples of the United States, including Native Hawaiians. This relationship is acknowledged by the United States.

I respect the array of views and voices we have heard offering ways to ensure a better future for Native Hawaiians. As a United States Senator, representing all the people of Hawaii, I am working with my colleagues to ensure that the United States fulfills its responsibility with respect to Native Hawaiians.

My effort to address these issues within the context of federal law does not prevent others from pursuing alternatives on the international level. Many federally recognized American Indian peoples continue to pursue issues at the international level.

I would like to respond to some of the concerns raised this week. There is some misunderstanding about what the bill does and does not do.

(1) This bill does not relinquish the claims of Native Hawaiians to sovereignty or their sovereign lands. The bill clearly states that the United States has recognized and reaffirmed that Native Hawaiians have never relinquished their claims to sovereignty or their sovereign lands.

(2) This bill does not address land. I heard testimony about the Hawaiian Home Lands and the ceded lands. While these are longstanding issues that we must address, this bill does not deal with these issues. We must start at the beginning. We must first organize ourselves. That is what this bill does – it provides a process for Native Hawaiians to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing body.

(3) Once a governing body is organized, Native Hawaiians will be empowered to better address longstanding issues such as ceded lands and self-determination.

(4) The bill authorizes the Native Hawaiian governing body to negotiate with the state and the federal governments regarding the transfer of lands. The purpose of this section is to ensure that the Native Hawaiian governing body is given a seat at the table with the State and federal governments. This provides Native Hawaiians with the authority to participate in the process. This is one example of how this bill is a step forward for Native Hawaiians.

(5) In creating the Native Hawaiian governing entity, the Native Hawaiian community determines membership and drafts the organic governing documents. In this process, the Native Hawaiian community determines membership in the governing body. The Native Hawaiian community determines who is a Native Hawaiian. The bill does not define who is a Native Hawaiian. The bill merely determines who is eligible to participate in the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing body. The real issues are left for the Native Hawaiian community to resolve. Again, this is an example of how this legislation empowers Native Hawaiians.

(6) This legislation protects the programs which have been established to benefit Native Hawaiians. While we still have a long way to go in addressing issues such as education, health, and housing for Native Hawaiians, the programs which have been established make a difference for our people. This legislation helps to protect these programs so that we can continue to empower Native Hawaiians.

(7) I have heard misstatements regarding section 10 in the bill. The phrase, "Nothing in this Act is intended to serve as a settlement of any claims against the United States" protects any claims to be filed by Native Hawaiians. It remains in the bill to secure any future claims.

(8) I am pleased to hear so many references to Public Law 103-150, the Apology Resolution. The Apology Resolution was merely the first step in our progress forward as a people. The Apology Resolution laid the foundation for a process of reconciliation between Native Hawaiians and the United States. S. 2899 is the next step forward. As the author of the Apology Resolution, I can assure you that I intended it to be a first step forward. Although many of you opposed the Apology Resolution when I introduced it, you have come to understand and appreciate its significance. Likewise, I remain confident that a careful reading of this legislation affirms my conviction that S. 2899 is the best opportunity for Native Hawaiians to claim a seat at the table and realize our hopes for a better future.

In closing, I want to reiterate that this legislation is important not only to Native Hawaiians, but also to all people in Hawaii. This measure provides the process to begin resolving many longstanding issues facing Hawaii's indigenous peoples and the State of Hawaii. In addressing these issues, we have begun a process of healing, a process of reconciliation not only with the United States but also within the State of Hawaii. The essence of Hawaii is characterized not by the beauty of its islands, but by the beauty of its people. The State of Hawaii has recognized, acknowledged and acted upon the need to preserve the culture, tradition, language and heritage of Hawaii's indigenous peoples. Now is the time for the United States and the Native Hawaiian people to strengthen their political relationship.

Mahalo nui loa.

A hui hou kakou!