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By Scott Crawford, Hana, Maui

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OHA to seek Hawaiian recognition from Dept of Interior

Honolulu Civil Beat reports

Frustrated with a 10-year congressional fight to obtain federal recognition and form a nation-within-a-nation government, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has decided to follow a path that has led several American Indian tribes to success.

OHA is not giving up on the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, known as the Akaka bill.

But faced with the reality that U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, for whom the bill is named, is retiring after this year and that the political environment in Washington, D.C., is as polarized as it has ever been, OHA and Hawaii’s delegation having been exploring other routes.

One of those would bypass Congress altogether and seek recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior, a process used by Native American tribes.

“It is possible that Hawaiians could achieve recognition through an alternate route — alternate from the legislative route,” said Clyde Namuo, OHA’s longtime CEO until he retired Dec. 30. “It would not require congressional approval, but you would need to convince the Secretary of the Interior that they have the authority to do it. And we believe that there is adequate precedence to establish that you can do it.”

4 comments to OHA to seek Hawaiian recognition from Dept of Interior

  • Ken Ng

    How, Kimo Sabe. Perfidy nows no bounds. OHA, the State of Hawaii, and the Danners want control, and that means dollars. Follow it. That’s where it leads. Aue,

  • Is it out of our hands now. Inevitable? Anybody out there have a reasonable plan to impede OHA’s success? Let us know. Mahalo nui.

  • Win808

    Hewa! They shall be held acountable for their actions!
    It’s one thing when you don’t know, but with so much
    information today as to the events that took place here
    in Hawai’i back in 1893, what they’re doing is nothing
    short of a treasonous act.

    We are a nation. A great nation!

    Remember January 17, 1893, 119 years of hewa! It’s time for Huli Au!!

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