The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2011

Floor Speech

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, today a united Hawaii delegation will be introducing the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act in both Chambers of Congress. Long denied the recognition and rights accorded to America's other indigenous people, this bill will finally enable Native Hawaiians to embark on their long awaited process of achieving self-determination.

On the House side, Congresswoman Hanabusa and I have the great pleasure of being joined in this effort by Congressman Don Young, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and Congressman Tom Cole. All are longstanding friends of Hawaii and Native Hawaiians.

How we treat our native indigenous people reflects our values and who we are as a country. Clearly, there is much in the history of our interactions with the native people of what is now the United States that makes us less than proud. The American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, all indigenous people, have suffered at the hands of our Government. But one of the great attributes of America has always been the ability to look objectively at our history, learn from it, and when possible make amends.

The bill we are introducing today has been more than 10 years in the making. It has been a deliberative and open legislative process. There have been 12 congressional hearings on Native Hawaiian recognition, five of which were held in Hawaii. These bills have been marked up by committees in both Chambers. The House has passed Native Hawaiian recognition bills three times: First in 2000, again in 2007, and most recently just last year.

The goals and purposes of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act are consistent with the history of the Native Hawaiian people and the record of United States involvement in Hawaii. The bill is also consistent with over 188 existing Federal laws that promote the welfare of Native Hawaiian people.

I know there are Members who question these authorized programs simply because Native Hawaiian is in the title, which is exactly why we need this bill. It will formalize the very special political and legal relationship between the United States and the Native Hawaiians by providing a process through which the Native Hawaiian community can reorganize its governing entity within this relationship. This is how we treat Alaska Natives and American Indians, and this is how we should treat Native Hawaiians.

The Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893. Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, was deposed by an armed group of businessmen and sugar planters who were American by birth or heritage, with the support, abetted by U.S. troops. The Queen agreed to relinquish her throne, under protest, to avoid bloodshed.

She believed the United States, with which Hawaii had diplomatic relations, would restore her to the throne.

There may be new Members to this body who have not had occasion to learn the history of Hawaii, and I extend an open invitation to those Members to share this history with you.

The State of Hawaii motto, which is also the motto of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is, ``Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono,'' which translates to, ``The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.''

Native Hawaiians, like American Indians and Alaska Natives, have an inherent sovereignty based on their status as indigenous aboriginal people. I ask for your support of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.

Mahalo nui loa. (Thank you very much).

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