RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (State Council), has been in existence for eighteen years; and

WHEREAS, the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations has accomplished historical achievements for all native Hawaiians in the following areas:

WHEREAS, the State Council is recognized as the State of Hawaii's largest native Hawaiian organization, which includes twenty-five homestead association boards that represent approximately thirty thousand persons on Hawaiian homestead land; and

WHEREAS, the State Council has begun to specialize in management of its lands; carries more of its responsibilities within the governance of its community settings; and structures economic development opportunities; and

WHEREAS, native governments have the inalienable right to develop customary laws and governance systems for its people; and

WHEREAS, such a justice system is managed by native courts to settle disputes among its native people; and

WHEREAS, native justice systems are designed to be culturally appropriate to its people, while at the same time conforming to the laws, rules, and regulations of state, county, and federal governments; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations is requested to appoint a committee to research native governments to identify native justice systems and make recommendations on systems appropriate for Hawaiian home lands; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, the Chairperson of the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, who, in turn, is requested to submit the report to its membership, not less than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Council of the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations is requested to seek out resources to fund the activities of the committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee is requested to disband one year after its establishment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Association, the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Report Title:

Hawaiian Homestead Assoc.; Native Justice System