URL: https://www.indianz.com/News/archives/001091.asp

Monday, September 1, 2003

A bill to recognize a Native Hawaiian government has been pending in Congress since 2000.

The House passed the bill that year but the Senate failed to take it up. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), the primary sponsor in the House, says the White House "doesn't want the bill on the floor because they're afraid it's going to pass," The Honolulu Advertiser reported.

The Bush administration has not taken a firm position for or against recognition. The Department of Interior suggested changes to the bill that were incorporated by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

The Department of Justice's top lawyer argued against Native Hawaiians in the Rice v. Cayetano Supreme Court case. Solicitor General Ted Olson represented a white rancher who challenged a Native-only election and won.

The victory has led to a string of legal challenges against Native-only programs. A federal judge recently opened admission to the Kamehameha Schools to non-Natives. Another lawsuit challenges social-assistance programs for Natives. Non-Natives can run for Native trustee seats due to another lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Conservatives blamed for stalling Akaka bill (The Honolulu Advertiser 8/29)
Native debate revisits key issue (The Honolulu Advertiser 8/31)
Lawyers to argue validity of Hawaiian programs (The Honolulu Advertiser 9/1)
Hawaiians hope to stir community support (The Honolulu Advertiser 9/1)

Federal Recognition Bills:
S.344 | H.R.665

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

Related Stories:
Judge to rule in Native Hawaiian school case (08/20)
Native Hawaiians fight for federal recognition (07/21)
Student denied entry into Hawaiian school sues (06/30)
DOJ objected to Native Hawaiian legislation (06/06)
Native Hawaiians denied party status in suit (04/01)
Native Hawaiian office established in D.C. (02/27)
Opinion: Oppose Native Hawaiian bill (2/21)
Court affirms Native Hawaiian ruling (01/06)
Native Hawaiians press sovereignty (10/14)
U.S. dismissed from Native Hawaiian case (09/04)
Inouye: Native Hawaiian bill won't pass (8/8)
Native Hawaiian bill supported (7/16)
Native Hawaiians intervene in lawsuit (7/12)
Judge won't halt Hawaiian funding (3/14)
Native Hawaiian trust challenged (3/6)
Native Hawaiian bill on Senate agenda (7/20)
Federal judge blocks Army training (7/19)
Native Hawaiian lawsuit dismissed (7/13)
Shift in Senate means changes for Indian Country (5/25)
Senate confirms Olson as Solicitor General (5/25)
Native Hawaiian lands threatened (5/24)
A first for Native Hawaiians (4/5)
Indian Law and the Supreme Court (12/11)
OHA survives elections (11/14)
Final Hawaiian report released (10/24)
Native Hawaiian bill passes House (9/27)
Hawaiian affairs still controversial (9/13)
US recommends Hawaiian sovereignty (8/24)
Non-Natives win battle in suit (8/17)
Where are the Dems on tribes? (8/16)
March raises sovereignty awareness (8/14)
The GOP 2000 Platform on Native Americans (8/1)
Group challenges Hawaii (7/7)
Hawaiians march for sovereignty (7/5)


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