The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding a hearing today on a bill to provide for the federal recognition of a Native Hawaiian governing entity.

S.147, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, is backed by the state's congressional delegation and Gov. Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii). It would set up the process, overseen by the Interior Department, to establish a Native Hawaiian government.

Lingle is testifying today as is the National Congress of American Indians, represented by president Tex Hall. "NCAI is in support of Native Hawaiians and their federal recognition," executive director Jackie Johnson said yesterday during NCAI's winter session.

Also on the witness list is Haunani Apoliona, the chair of the board of trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), a state agency, and Jade Danner of the Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement. The Department of Justice has been asked to testify.

The hearing starts at 10am and a live video link can be found at http://indian.senate.gov. The hearing is not expected to last long as Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), chairman of the committee, is speaking before NCAI in the morning sometime before 12pm.

Get the Bill:
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 (S.147)

Relevant Links:
Native Hawaiian Sovereignty Site - http://www.hawaii-nation.org
Native Hawaiians, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/nativehawaiians
Native Hawaiian Federal Recognition Site - http://www.nativehawaiians.com

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