STAND. COM. REP. NO.1216
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2001
RE: H.C.R. No. 23
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2001
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 23 entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING FEDERAL SUPPORT OF HAWAIIAN SELF-GOVERNANCE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to demonstrate the Legislature's:
(1) Support for the sovereign rights of Native Hawaiians; and
(2) Recognition of the immediate need to develop a government-to-government relationship between a Hawaiian nation and the United States.
More specifically, this concurrent resolution requests that the Secretary of the Interior meet with representatives of the Hawaiian people to initiate the process of articulating and implementing a federal policy of Hawaiian self-government with a distinct, unique, and special trust relationship. Furthermore, Congress is urged to support any legislation introduced for the purpose of achieving Hawaiian self-government.
Supportive testimony was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands testified in support of the intent of this measure.
Your Committee believes that the Hawaiian people, as the indigenous people of Hawaii, should enjoy the same rights as the indigenous Native Americans recognized by the federal government. Federal recognition would clarify the status of the Hawaiian people and shield them from legal challenges on their traditional and customary rights.
After careful consideration, your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:
(1) Deleting the last WHEREAS clause, which provided that "the State of Hawaii would benefit substantially from the recognition of a Hawaiian nation because it would mean less state responsibility, less burden on state resources, and a stimulated economy as Hawaii businesses and programs become available";
(2) Clarifying that "the Legislature of the State of Hawaii respectfully urges Congress to support any legislation introduced for the purpose of achieving Hawaiian self-government"; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive revisions for purposes of clarity, style and conformity.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 23, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 23, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair |
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