Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 6, 1 June 2011 — The View from the Chairs [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The View from the Chairs

W'heU is the most important pieee of legislation affecting Native Hawaiians that passed this session? Why is it enieial? Galuteria: The most noteworthy pieee of legislation that passed this session was Senate Bill 1520, whieh fonnally recognizes Native Hawaiians as the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoh people of Hawai'i. The hill further establishes a five-member roll commission, selected by the Governor, to prepare and maintain a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians. This legislation is significant for several reasons. First, there has never been a fonnal declaration by the State of Hawai'i that Native Hawaiians are the indigenous people of Hawai'i. Instead, this unique status has had to be "reasonably inferred" through legislative and judicial actions on the state and federal levels. Secondly, the establishment of a certified roll of Native Hawaiians is the first step in the process toward the creation of a Native Hawaiian governing entity, whieh is envisioned to be the entity that manages the land, financial

and cultural assets of the Native Hawaiian people and engage in a government-to-government relationship with the State of Hawai'i. Finally, this legislation sends a clear message to the U.S. Congress of the State Legislature's support of Native Hawaiian self-detennination efforts and the efforts of Sen. Daniel Akaka to pass legislation to recognize Native Hawaiians at the federal level. Hanohano: The most important pieee of legislation was SB 1520. This legislation creates the process for indigenous governance, state recognition and the start of the roll eall conunission process. Were there other legislative highlights for Hawaiians? Galuteria: There were several substantial successes that ernerged from this past session affecting the Native Hawaiian conununity. SB 2 facilitates the establishrnent of a cornprehensive infonnation systern to inventory and rnaintain infonnation about the lands of the Puhhe Land Trust described

in section 5(f) of the Adrnission Act and article XII, section 4 of the State Constitution. This rneasure is irnperative in the Legislature's efforts to identify ceded land parcels throughout the state, thus playing an irnportant role as we work toward the overall bettennent of the conditions for Native Hawaiians in Hawai'i. Another notable highlight was the passage of SB 23, whieh establishes an 'Aha Kiole Advisory Council within the Departrnent of Land and Natural Resources to advise the Office of the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Legislature on issues related to land and natural resource rnanagernent through the 'aha moku systern. Although the eouneil has yet to develop a process of advising the departrnent on these issues, this rneasure is a strong stride in the direction of preserving Native Hawaiian culture and practices within the governrnent sector. The Legislature also passed SB 986, whieh further exarnines the disproportionate representation of Native Hawaiians in Hawai'i's enminal justice systern. This measure establishes a nine-rnernber task force to fonnulate policies and procedures to reduce this disparity and identify strategies in whieh contact with the enminal justice systern ean be avoided indefinitefy. Native Hawaiians will also benefit from SB 1290, whieh amended the Hawaiian Homes Conunission Act by increasing the limits of the state's habihty from $50 million to $100 nuhion for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawahan Home Lands, or loans made to lesseebeneficiaries that are guaranteed by DHHL. Hanohano: Sorne legislative highlights were: SB 23 - 'Aha Kiole Advisory Counch and SB 1290 - Raising DHHL ceihng for loans. Were there any disappointmeiUs, such as the ceded lands settlement? Galuteria: The ceded lands inventory systern as implemented through SB 2 whl ultunately be the driving force behind a comprehensive ceded lands settlement. The Legislature cannot offer a clear settlement package until we have an established inventory of existing ceded lands; however, we are continuing our discussions of an appropriate settlement package that is fair and suitable to all parties involved. Hanohano: No disappointments, but we still need to take an inventory and SB 2 creates the Puhlie Lands Infonnation System.

As Chair, what are your priorities for next session? Galuteria: It is important that the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and Legislature as a whole, continues to create and support initiatives that promote and perpetuate Native Hawauan practices, language and culture. A number of legislative measures were introduced this session to fulfill this notion, such as SB 1 16, whieh would have authorized the Hawai'i Tourism Authority to support traditional Hawaiian arts and cultural activities, or SB 261, whieh would have established a museum for Hawaiian music, dance and cultural arts. Due to budgetary limits, however, these measures failed to pass. I hope to revive these and other similar measures during the 2012 legislative session. Hanohano: Follow up on SB 2, the Puhlie Lands Infonnation System. Complete the Roll Call process of SB 1520. Ensure SB 23, the 'Aha Kiole Advisory Council, is functioning in the Department of Land and Natural Resources. How wouldyou describe your iiuiugural session as Chair ofthe Hawaiian Affairs Committee? Galuteria: Our Committee on Hawaiian Affairs was diligent in creating and moving forward legislation that recognizes the Native Hawaiian people as the indigenous, maoli people of this state. The landmark recognition provided to Hawaiians through SB 1520 is symbolic for our people, and thus should not be taken lightly. In this regard, I would venture to say that this was a successful session as a first-time Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chairman. Hanohano: This inaugural session as Chair was very challenging due to the late reorganization of the House and the late appointment to the committee. Any firud thoughts? Hanohano: We need more input from the Native Hawaiian communities in the State of Hawai'i. The House Hawaiian Affairs Coimnittee has created a monthfy Kūkākūkā (talk story) session, whieh has been helpful in making decisions and is well attended by various Hawaiian organizations. If people are interested in attending or need more infonnation, eall my office at (808) 586-6530 or email rephanohano@capitol.hawaii.gov with the subject line "Kuka Kuka." ■

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Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria (D, Downtown-WaikīkI) and Rep. Faye Hanohano (D, Pāhoa-Kalapana) eaeh served their first tenn as Chair of the Hawaiian Affairs Committee in their respective chambers in 2011. We caught up with the state lawmakers to ask them to describe the highs and lows of the legislative session and their priorities for next year. — Compiled by Lisa Asato