Hawaiians Seek Same Rights as American Indians

The U.S. Senate is set to debate legislation Wednesday that would grant native Hawaiians — descendants of the island's indigenous people — similar recognition and rights as those of Native Americans. Alex Chadwick talks about the bill with Haunani Apoliona, chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees.



This is DAY TO DAY. I'm Alex Chadwick.


First, this. In Washington, where attention is diverted to Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts, the Senate is considering a piece of old business today as well, a bill that would grant native Hawaiians the same legal status as many Native American tribes. It's known as the Akaka bill after its key sponsor, Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka. Some native Hawaiians still don't accept the American overthrow of Hawaii's king 112 years ago and statehood back in 1959 did not mollify them. Haunani Apoliona is chair of the board of trustees for an indigenous rights advocacy agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.


Ms. HAUNANI APOLIONA (Board of Trustees Chair, Office of Hawaiian Affairs): The bill itself provides for authorization of a process that could go forward that will determine the governance structure. Although American Indians and Alaska natives similarly enjoy federal recognition--of course, American Indians and nation tribes, the Alaska natives are formed in corporations--that is not to assume the native Hawaiian governing entity that is formed by native Hawaiians would look like either one. We will develop our own unique structure of governance that is consistent with our culture that is, you know, 2,000-plus years old.




Ms. APOLIONA: It is tracked back to two criteria: Those who can trace their lineal descendancy back to someone who's a original--aboriginal, indigenous person that exercised sovereignty in Hawaii. The second criteria is any lineal descendent of anyone who, in 1921, qualified under the criteria of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. So in either one, they would have to have Hawaiian blood.

CHADWICK: How many people do you think that is?


CHADWICK: Not all living in Hawaii.

Ms. APOLIONA: Correct. There's about 260,000, I think, that are living in Hawaii.



CHADWICK: I think there are white Hawaiians who say this is...


CHADWICK: Non-Hawaiians.


CHADWICK: I beg your pardon.




CHADWICK: They consider themselves Hawaiians.

Ms. APOLIONA: Yes, there are people who reside in Hawaii that call themselves from Hawaii or Hawaiians. We're speaking about native Hawaiians.

CHADWICK: If you were born in Hawaii...

Ms. APOLIONA: Mm-hmm.

CHADWICK: ...and you didn't have native Hawaiian ancestry, would you be a Hawaiian?




CHADWICK: They don't do so well as...

Ms. APOLIONA: Right.


Ms. APOLIONA: And so as we hope to advance and improve our native population, so will benefit the larger community. And as our governor, Linda Lingle, when--she says what's good for native Hawaiians is good for Hawaii, so, you know, I echo that sentiment. And I think people who attempt to spin a lot of fear in our community are doing the community a great disservice.




(Soundbite of music)

CHADWICK: I'm Alex Chadwick, and there's more DAY TO DAY just ahead.




