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Economy, Hawaiian
culture would gain
from Akaka Bill

Soon the U.S. Senate will debate passage of the historic Akaka Bill, which would recognize native Hawaiians on a political basis -- just as American Indian tribes are recognized by the federal government. It is precisely because this unique relationship is political, rather than racial, that American Indian tribes have been able to strengthen their own economies and provide vastly improved health care and schooling to their families through the power of self-determination and self-governance.

And it is precisely because native Hawaiians deserve the same opportunities that the National Congress of American Indians strongly supports the Akaka Bill.

The NCAI is the nation's largest and oldest coalition of tribal governments. It consists of more than 250 American Indian tribes in the mainland states (including Alaska). Every day, the NCAI fights for safer and stronger native communities, better health care, better schools, more jobs and the protection of our culture.

I am writing to explain why we have taken this position. There has always been a unique political relationship between the United States and its indigenous people, and that relationship with Hawaiians is no exception. The natives of Hawaii have a distinct culture and a long-running, rich political history that included many treaties and agreements with the United States. Hawaiians deserve the right to self-government in order to protect and preserve their institutions and the history, culture and way of life that are uniquely their own.

The Akaka Bill's detractors argue that recognition of a native Hawaiian governing entity would establish a race-based government. That argument ignores entirely the United States' unique political (or government-to-government) relationship with its indigenous people and should not be entertained. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized long ago the fact that American Indian tribes each had their own governmental structure that existed for thousands of years before Columbus arrived, and that is why the United States dealt with tribes on a treaty basis.

Throughout history we have had to fight against those who believe that Indian tribes simply should not exist. The examples are chilling and profound: military extermination policies, Indian boarding schools, allotment, forced assimilation, termination and relocation. The type of arguments that some are making today regarding the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act, saying it is race-based, are the same type of arguments that were made to advance these outrageous polices that were implemented on American Indians. These types of race-based arguments are nothing more than the same old attempt to stir Indian tribes, native cultures and communities into a melting pot and eliminate indigenous cultures.

The purpose of self-determination is not simply for its own sake. The purpose is to enable a unique group of indigenous people to maintain their culture, language and identity. This is a purpose that all of American can, and should, support. Every time I visit the beautiful islands of Hawaii, I marvel at the rich, powerful and historic culture of its original citizens. All Indian tribes on the mainland admire the widespread Hawaiian language that is spoken and the ceremonies that are still practiced to this day. These rich traditions are part of the beauty of Hawaii and are also part of what makes America the great and diverse country that stands as the envy of the world.

Native Hawaiian self-determination makes good economic sense, as well. Hawaii's economy depends and thrives on tourism, and many tourists are drawn to Hawaii by the Hawaiian culture itself. Hawaiians must be able to maintain their own institutions, their own schools and their own lands if they are to maintain the culture that supports the state economy.

Today, the NCAI stands with Hawaiian leaders and calls upon Congress and President Bush to establish a true government-to-government relationship with the native Hawaiian entity. We have and will continue to support whatever path the Hawaiian people choose to ensure their self-determination. We thank the people of Hawaii for giving us the opportunity to explain our position.

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