A notice in today's issue of the Federal Register opens the comment period on a proposal that could lead to a new relationship between the U.S. and Native Hawaiians.

Starting on Monday, the Interior Department will hold a series of public meetings in Hawaii to discuss the issue Officials say it would be up to the island's first inhabitants to determine how they want to organize their own government.

“There is nothing in this process that speaks to how the Native community should be defined,” Rhea Suh, the assistant secretary for policy, management and budget at DOI, told the Associated Press. “This process only pertains to the relationship between the U.S. government and the Native Hawaiian community.”

The meetings in Hawaii will be followed by a series of tribal consultation sessions. The schedule follows:

Tuesday, July 29 -- Minnesota – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, MN

Wednesday, July 30 -- South Dakota – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rushmore Civic Center, Rapid City, SD

Friday, August 1 -- Washington – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tulalip Resort, Seattle, WA

Tuesday, August 5 -- Arizona – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale, AZ

Thursday, August 7 -- Connecticut – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT

Public comments are also being accepted until August 19.

Get the Story:
Feds take step toward Native Hawaiian recognition (AP 6/18)

Federal Register Notice:
Procedures for Reestablishing a Government-to-Government Relationship With the Native Hawaiian Community (June 20, 2014)

Related Stories:
DOI considers process to recognize Native Hawaiian government (6/18)
Keli'i Akina: Recognition for Native Hawaiians just a power grab (06/04)
DOI considers regulation to address status of Native Hawaiians (5/28)