FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2010
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I (July 15, 2010) The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to support the changes to the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (NHGRA), which were recently agreed to by Senator Daniel Akaka, Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett.
“This timely and unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees places OHA, the Constitutional entity representing Hawaiians, at the lead position in supporting these important changes, which will allow all of us to move forward with this landmark bill,” said Haunani Apoliona, Chairperson, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. “This bill is good for Hawaiians and will bring beneficial outcomes to all residents of Hawai‘i. This is an opportunity for Native Hawaiians to unite and move forward together with a collective voice. I encourage ALL Hawaiians, wherever they may reside, to participate in the process for it will take all of us working together to make a difference for years to come,” Apoliona said.
The changes ensure that the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity will negotiate with the State of Hawai‘i and the U.S. Government to determine powers and authorities among the three governing entities. Also, the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity will be subject to state laws – as well as health and safety regulations – until the negotiations have been completed.
NHGRA represents a major milestone that moves Native Hawaiians closer to reconciliation more than a century after Queen Lili‘uokalani and the Hawaiian government were illegally overthrown. The bill recognizes the inherent sovereignty of Native Hawaiians and provides them with the opportunity to reorganize a governing entity that will negotiate for powers, authorities, land, and resources. Until now, Native Hawaiians are the only group of Native Americans in the 50 states that has not been provided a process for federal recognition; Alaska Natives and American Indians have had federal recognition for many years.
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Replies
The Queen Lili'uokalani had nothing to do with 'rehabilitation' for native Hawaiians. Nor does the 1893 overthrow have anything to do with: military, plantation business men ( her land was to feed her destitute people) profiteers.
A state agency does not speak for me.
Power, authority, land and resources all drifts under the foot of DLNR 'enforcement'. No different than the Kamehameha's prostrate, hair pulling traditional, and forced into 'human traffic'king'. Everyday mothers experience this insanity when the social workers rips apart a parent from their child. Social report are all based on fabricated lies.
Native Hawaiians live on the shores of Waianae not the hill side of St. Louis in Kaimuki-Manoa.
Who on Maoliworld experienced the aftermath of Oglala and Leoanrd Peltier?
Disgusting!!!!