WHEREAS, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was established by the people of Hawai'i by the State of Hawai'i Constitutional Convention of 1978 and subsequent legislation and public ratification, to better the conditions of all Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, in the November 4, 1980, general election, more than 43,000 native Hawaiian voters elected the first board of nine members comprising the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Peter K. Apo, Roy L. Benham, Rodney K. Burgess III, A. Frenchy De Soto, Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr., Moses K. Keale Sr., Joseph G. Kealoha, Jr., Walter L. Ritte, Jr., and Dr. A. Leiomalama Solomon; and

WHEREAS, over the past 25 years, an additional 33 individuals have been elected or appointed as Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs providing leadership and trust management on behalf of the Hawaiian and native Hawaiian communities; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of individuals have served in the administration of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as leaders, experts, and support staff in such areas as economic development, housing, legal services, human services, education, cultural affairs, land management, historic preservation, communications, health services, native rights, and governance; and

WHEREAS, since 1980, the Hawaiian community has made substantial strides in areas such as Hawaiian cultural awareness and identity, Hawaiian language education, political activism, historic preservation, and higher education; and

WHEREAS, the visibility of native Hawaiian issues and history has significantly increased at the federal level with the passage of Public Law 103-150, the "Apology Resolution" in 1993; and the introduction of the "Akaka Bill" in 2000, and subsequent amended versions including the "Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005" calling for federal recognition of indigenous Hawaiians, currently under consideration; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs currently employs a staff of 127 led by Administrator Clyde W. Nämu'o with offices statewide and in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs manages millions of dollars from the Native Hawaiian Public Land Trust funds and State general funds each year to be dispersed as funds for programs, services, community grants, and advocacy that help to better the conditions of more than 400,000 native Hawaiians who live in Hawai'i and across the nation, and enhance the quality of life of all who find their roots in Hawai'i; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, after 25 years, continues to serve as Hawai'i's lead agency working on behalf of native Hawaiians, in spite of numerous legal challenges and threats to native Hawaiian rights and entitlements; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs be recognized for 25 years of outstanding service to the Hawaiian community and the State of Hawai'i community at large; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives reaffirms its support of the many initiatives of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs including its work in advocating for federal recognition of native Hawaiians; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members of the Hawaii Congressional Delegation, the Governor, the Mayors and Chairpersons of the County Councils of the respective counties, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Report Title:

Recognizing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.