Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2011 — Aloha mai kākou, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha mai kākou,

On July 6, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law a bill formally recognizing Native Hawaiians as the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli people of Hawai'i. This historic action by the state is a significant step forward for Native Hawaiians in the nation-building process. The new law serves as a catalyst for creating a Native Hawaiian governing entity as we continue to move toward federal recognition. At the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, we see this new law as a complement to our efforts to enable Native Hawaiians to create a better future for themselves. And we stand ready to assist the five-member Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, whose members will be appointed by the Governor, and whose responsibility will be to prepare and maintain a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will fund the commission and it will be attached to OHA for administrative purposes only. In addition to working with OHA, the commission will work with Hawaiian organizations throughout the state and the Nation. In 2004, OHA established Kau Inoa, "to plaee your name." The establishment of a roll was viewed by the community as the critical first step in the nation-building process. Act 195 makes reference to OHA's previous efforts to begin the self-determination process. We are committed to work with the

Native Hawaiian Roll Commission and the Hawaiian community in moving this effort forward. We encourage all Hawaiians to get involved in the state recognition process. Though our long-term goal is to achieve federal recognition for | Native Hawaiians, state recognition will help to prepare us for that. I Qualified Native Hawaiians and Native Hawaiian organizations ean take part right now by nominating individuals to serve on the commission. We urge your participation in the nomination process. The eommission will be composed of one person from eaeh county

and one at-iarge. io nominate an individuai, piease visit the Boards and Commissions section on the Governor's web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov. Nominations are due byAug. 5. Let your voices be heard. Me ka 'oia'i'o, I LO- I

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Clyde W. Nāmu'o Chief Executive 0fficer