Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2010 — Hawaiian Homes Commission stands with OHA in support of Akaka Bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian Homes Commission stands with OHA in support of Akaka Bill

Lisa Asato KaWai Ola Calling it "a unified effort," the Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission stood together with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in supporting the passage of the Native Hawaiian Govermnent Reorganization Act, pending in Congress. At a July 27 press conference at OHA, Hawaiian Homes Conunission Chairman Kaulana Park said the commission not only stands united with OHA, but with U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, Gov. Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett, all of whom support proposed amendments to the hill, whieh was awaiting action in the U.S. Senate as of press time. The commission had earlier voted unanimously to support the legislation because its passage is crucial to preserving Hawaiian programs, Park said. "It gives us that right to exist, but most importantly it helps to protect our trust and our trust assets going forward, whieh is not only for our beneficiaries today, but for our 'ōpio in the future. "That right to exist is very important for all of the trusts," said Park, referring to Hawaiian Homes, OHA and the ali'i trusts, such as Kamehameha Schools and the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust. OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona, who has long held that the Akaka Bill would help shield Hawaiian programs from legal challenges, said, "This united front is proof that Native Hawaiians ean and must unite in order to move

forward with a collective voice and greater polhieal strength to mālama Hawai'i lands, our culture and our way of life. Both DHHL and OHA urge the Senate to pass this measure quickly and forward the hill to the House of Representatives for hnal approval." Both Park and Apoliona called on all beneficiaries of all Hawaiian trusts to support the passage of the NHGRA, coimnonly known as the Akaka Bill. The hill would recognize the sovereignty of Native Hawaiians and provide an opportunity to create a governing entity that would negotiate forpowers, authorities, land and resources. Recent changes to the hill would 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 bodies. 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 manyyears. ■