Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 1, 1 February 1984 — U.S. Comittee Hearing on NHSC Report Slated [ARTICLE]

U.S. Comittee Hearing on NHSC Report Slated

Four days of hearings in Hawaii on the report of the Native Hawaiians Study Commission will be held in April by the U.S. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, according to Hawaii Sen. Spark M. Matsunaga. Committee Chairman James A. McClure (R-Idaho) has designated Matsunaga to chair the hearings. The Hawaii lawmaker said that he will be inviting other members of the committee to participate in the hearings whieh will be held during the Senate's Easter recess. The schedule: Monday, Apr. 16, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at State Capitol Auditorium in Honolulu. There will be a two-hour break for luneh. Tuesday, Apr. 17, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Island of Hawaii at Yano Community Center in Captain Cook. Wednesday, Apr. 18, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., lsland of Maui intheCountyCouneil Chambers, Wailuku. Friday, Apr. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Island of Kauai in the County Council Chambers, Lihue. "These historic hearings mark the eontinuation of a congressional effort to develop legislation whieh would address the claims of Native Hawaiians stemming from the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893," said Matsunaga. Noting that there were sharp dif-

ferences of opinion among the members of the NHSC with respect to the role of the U.S. in the 1893 incident, Matsunaga said that the Senate Committee will address this issue during its hearings and further deliberations. In addition, he said, there were many issues included in the Commission's report on whieh Commissioners agreed. "The Commission recognized many of the social and eeonomie needs of Native Hawaiians," said Matsunaga. "Although it did not provide us with a draft bill, we intend to explore these areas with a view toward the development of appropriate legislative remedies." The Native Hawaiians Study Commission was established by Congress in 1980 under the provisions of Public Law 96565. The nine-member study commission appointed by President Reagan in Sept. 1981 was chaired by former Hawaii State Rep. Kina'u Boyd Kamali'i. Charged with the study of Native Hawaiian culture, needs and concerns, the Commission completed its study and filed its final report with the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in June, 1983. Shortly after that, Matsunaga sought approval of his request for hearings to be held in Hawaii on the Commission's report. _>

H' OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS 567 So. King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Honolulu, Hawaii Permit No. 298