[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2005

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about an issue of 
significant importance to the people of Hawaii, S. 147, the Native 
Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005. While opponents of this 
legislation have sought to characterize this issue as a Native versus 
non-Native issue, I am here to tell you that there is nothing further 
from the truth. This bill is important to all of the people of Hawaii.
  Why? It is significant because it provides a process, a structured 
process, for the people of Hawaii to finally address longstanding 
issues resulting from a dark period in Hawaii's history, the overthrow 
of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The people of Hawaii are multicultural and we 
celebrate our diversity. At the same time, we all share a common 
respect and desire to preserve the culture and tradition of Hawaii's 
indigenous peoples, Native Hawaiians.
  Despite this perceived harmony, there are issues stemming from the 
overthrow that we have not been able to address due to apprehension 
over the emotions that arise when these matters are discussed. There 
has been no structured process. Instead, there has been fear as to what 
the discussion would entail, causing people to avoid the issues. Such 
behavior has led to high levels of anger and frustration as well as 
misunderstandings between Native Hawaiians and non-Native Hawaiians.
  As a young child, I was discouraged from speaking Hawaiian because I 
was told that it would not allow me to succeed in the Western world. My 
parents lived through the overthrow and endured the aftermath as a time 
when all things Hawaiian, including language, which they both spoke 
fluently, hula, custom, and tradition, were viewed as negative. I, 
therefore, was discouraged from speaking the language and practicing 
Hawaiian customs and traditions. I was the youngest of eight children. 
I remember as a young child sneaking to listen to my parents so that I 
could maintain my ability to understand the Hawaiian language. My 
experience mirrors that of my generation of Hawaiians.
  While my generation learned to accept what was ingrained into us by 
our parents, my children have had the advantage of growing up during 
the Hawaiian renaissance, a period of revival for Hawaiian language, 
custom, and tradition. Benefitting from this revival are my 
grandchildren who can speak Hawaiian and know so much more about our 
history.
  It is this generation, however, that is growing impatient with the 
lack of progress in efforts to resolve longstanding issues. It is this 
generation that does not understand why we have not resolved these 
matters. It is for this generation that I have written this bill to 
ensure that we have a way to address these emotional issues.
  There are those who have tried to say that my bill will divide the 
people of Hawaii. As I have just explained, my bill goes a long way to 
unite the people of Hawaii by providing a structured process to deal 
with issues that have plagued us since 1893. The misguided efforts of 
my colleagues who seek to delay the Senate's consideration of this 
bill, however, may have a divisive effect on my state.
  This bill is also important to the people of Hawaii because it 
affirms the dealings of Congress with Native Hawaiians since Hawaii's 
annexation in 1898. Congress has always treated Native Hawaiians as 
Hawaii's indigenous peoples, and therefore, as indigenous peoples of 
the United States. Federal policies towards Native Hawaiians have 
largely mirrored those pertaining to American Indian and Alaska 
Natives.
  Congress has enacted over 160 statutes to address the conditions of 
Native Hawaiians including the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement 
Act, the Native Hawaiian Education Act, and the Native Hawaiian Home 
Ownership Act. The programs that have been established are administered 
by federal agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human 
Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor. As you 
can imagine, these programs go a long way to benefit Native Hawaiians, 
but they also serve as an important source of employment and income for 
many, many people in Hawaii, including many non-Native Hawaiians. There 
are many Hawaii residents whose livelihoods depend on the continuation 
of these programs and services.
  This, colleagues, is why this bill is important to the people of 
Hawaii. I ask all of you to respect our efforts by voting to bring this 
bill to the floor for consideration and for a vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, under the previous order, if I 
might inquire, the time is allocated to this side; is that correct?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct. Twenty-two minutes remains on 
the minority side.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. I thank the Presiding Officer.
  Mr. President, may I be recognized?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida is recognized.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Thank you, Mr. President.

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