Nä Wai ‘Ehä Decision

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On January 7, 2010, The Office of Hawaiian Affairs hosted a live television special to inform the public about the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009.

 

Also known as the "Akaka Bill," for its sponsor U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, this important piece of legislation is now before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

 

"The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has long been in the forefront of supporting a measure that provides a process of federal recognition to Native Hawaiians and OHA will continue that role in support of the Akaka Bill," OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nāmu'o said. 

 

"This is a complicated bill. We want to help both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike understand what this bill means, answer people's questions, and help everyone prepare for what we believe will be successful passage of this landmark legislation," he added. "OHA stands ready to work with our Hawai'i Congressional Delegation, the Obama Administration, the State of Hawai'i and our Hawaiian community. We appreciate the collective efforts and we look forward to the passage of this long overdue legislation. We are hopeful that the final version of the bill will be one that all parties can move forward with."