Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 6, 1 June 2000 — Sentor Akaka's bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Sentor Akaka's bill

f enator Akaka has introduced C the following bill in Congress. As constiments of J Hawai'i, please share your W mana'o with us. A BILL To express the policy of Congress regarding the United States' relationship with Native Hawaiians, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS. Congress finds that - (1) on November 23, 1993, the Apology Resolution, was enacted into law; (2) the Apology Resolution acknowledged that the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii resulted in the suppression of the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people and the deprivation of Native Hawaiians' right to self-determination; (3) the Apology Resolution expressed the commitment of Congress and the President of the United States to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i and to

support reconciliation efforts between the United States and the Native Hawaiians; and (4) the Secretary of the Interior and Attomey General have designated officials within their

respective agencies to consult with Native Hawaiians on the reconciliation process as called for under the Apology Resolution. SEC. 3 DEFINrnON. In this Act: (1) APOLOGY RESOLUTION. - The term "Apology Resolution" means Public Law 103-150 (107 Stat. 1510), a joint resolution offering an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United States for the participation of agents of the United States i.i the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. (2) COUNCIL. - The term "Council" means the Native Hawaiian Interagency Council established by section 6(a). (3) NATTVE HAWAIIAN. - The term "Native Hawaiian" means any individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that constitutes the State of Hawaii. (4) SECRETARY. - The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL

POLICY AND RECOGNITION. Congress declares that - (1) the United States recognizes and acknowledges Native Hawaiians as a unique and distinct indigenous people; (2) the United States has a tmst responsibility to promote the welfare of Native Hawaiians; (3) Congress possesses the authority to legislate for the betterment of Native Hawaiians under the United States Constitution and has exercised this authority through the enactment of (A) the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 (42 Stat. 108); (B) the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawai'i into the Unio.i", approved March 18, 1959 (Public Law 86-3;73 Stat. 5) and; (C) more than 150 other federal laws addressing the conditions of Native Hawaiians; and (4) Native Hawaiians have the right to self-determination. SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF NAIWE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS. (a) IN GENERAL. - There is

established within the Department of the Interior the Office of Native Hawaiian Affairs. (b) DUTIES OFTHE OFFICE. - The Office of Native Hawaiian Affairs shall effecmate and coordinate trust relationship policies between Native Hawaiians and the United States - (1) through the Secretary; and (2) with all other Federal agencies. SEC. 6. NATIVE HAWAIIAN INTERAGENCY COUNCIL (a) ESTABLISHMENT. - There is established an interagency eouneil to be known as the "Native Hawaiian Interagency Council." (b) COMPOSITION. - The eouneil shall be composed of representatives, to be appointed by the President, of - (1) eaeh federal agency that establishes or implements policies that affect Native Hawaiians: and (2) the White House. (e) DU 11ES. - The primary responsibility of the Council shall be the coordination of federal policies that affect Native Hawaiians. ■

"As constituents of Hawai'i, please share your mana'o with us."

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