Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 7, 1 July 2012 — 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - U.S. REPRESENTATIVE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

1 . 1 am a long-time supporter of recognition (see below). The United States government announced its support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Congress is thus legally compelled to pass recognition. I will make it

my top priority to pursue recognition with our congressional delegation and the mana'o and kōkua of my Hawaiian kumu. 2. Early 1990s: co-directed Homeless Aloha staff managing 22 agencies providing homeless outreach/services; 1993: co-authored the Homeless Aloha report to the Legislature; 1994-5: co-directed accreditation of Wai'anae's mental heahh agency; 1995-6: surveyed colonialism effects worldwide and published Amy C. Richardson prize paper "Heaven Under the Sword," on dual government; and 2002-present: heahh care advocate for those denied access to heahh care, including working to improve VA care on Maui. 3. Survey NIEA and White House Inhiative on Asian Americans and Paeihe Islanders staff to predict House members' likely positions on reauthorizations; recruit supportive House members; introduce a House version of S. 66; push for passage of H.R. 857 ( 100 percent federal share for Medicaid services provided to Native Hawaiians); and target needs the Native Hawaiian Education Couneil identified in 2011 with reauthorization legislation for education.

1. Yes, I believe the U.S. government through an act of Congress should more formally recognize the special legal/political status of Native Hawaiians. Pending reorganization of a Native Hawaiian governing entity, through the process commenced by

Act 195 (201 1) or a Native Hawaiian-driven process, I would immediately work with the delegation to pass a bill or administrative regulation acknowledging this status, without the government building components that would be difficult to pass at this time. 2. In 2006, I served as volunteer coordinator for Senator Akaka's re-election campaign. I was then invited to work with him in Washington, D.C. I assisted Senator Akaka with programs and legislation directly benefiting Native Hawaiians. Specific efforts included supporting Native Hawaiian 8(a) businesses, and working with Senator Akaka to introduce the Kalaupapa Memorial Act, whieh passed as part of the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009. 3. Formal recognition of Indian Commerce Clause status of Native Hawaiians would help reauthorization of these important acts. Additionally, tying such reauthorizations to Native Alaskan heahh and education acts is good strategy because Republican Don Young of Alaska needs Democratic support. Mazie Hirono successfully used this strategy in 20 1 1 to obtain reauthorization of $41 million in education funds for Native Hawaiians.

1. I have been a longtime supporter of federal recognition and have testified in Washington, D.C., for the Akaka bill. My proven ability to work across the aisle will be an asset to ensure that future legislation recognizing Native Hawaiians passes

the House. I will reach out across the aisle, as I have successfully done in the past to support jobs and secure federal funding for infrastructure. 2. My strong track record with the Native Hawaiian community includes my first official act as mayor repealing the city's mandatory leasehold-conversion law to protect trust lands; transferring stewardship to protect sacred lands like Waimea Valley and Kawainui Marsh; creating the 21st Century Ahupua'a Program, an award-winning sustainability plan to protect our 'āina; supporting for Native Hawaiian culture, arts and festivals; and establishing the Leeward Coast Community Benefits Program, whieh provided grants to Native Hawaiian organizations. 3. 1 will first consult with Native Hawaiian organizations to see if amendments need to be made. Hawai'i's delegation must also be vocal in educating colleagues from both parties about the special educational and heahh needs of Native Hawaiians. I will reach out in a bipartisan way to ensure that vital programs like these receive proper reauthorization hearings and funding.

1. Absolutely. I would continue to work for eongressional approval of federal recognition for Native Hawaiians, while also working with the White House, Interior, and Justice departments on an administrative process to move forward recon-

ciliation between Native Hawaiians as called for under the Apology Resolution. 2. Key actions in Congress have included the Apology Resolution, the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act, the reclassification of Native Hawaiians under federal racial and ethnic data collecting; inclusion of Native Hawaiians in the U.S. position on the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and the inclusion of Native Hawaiians in various federal programs or laws they otherwise would not be eligible for (language, education, heahh, VA home loans, historic preservation, housing). As chief advocate for OHA, my job oversaw programs that improved the conditions of Native Hawaiians. 3. Work whh the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Heahh and Human Services to ensure that the president's budget includes specific funding for the Native Hawaiian Heahh Care Act. The NHEA is currently being reauthorized. My focus will be on strengthening the act through reprioritization of key issues and greater accountability of how and where funds are being awarded.

RAFAEL DEL CASTILLO DEMOCRAT

TULSI GABBARD DEMOCRAT

MUFI HANNEMANN DEMOCRAT

ESTHER KIA'ĀINA DEMOCRAT