A DOI rule that a Native Hawaiian government could use to create a formal government-to-government relationship with the U.S. would offer our lāhui a greater role in determining our future—for our lands, our people, our culture.
1. A Native Hawaiian government can use the rule to establish itself in an authoritative position that the U.S. must take seriously.
2. The DOI rule provides our government—if it chooses—an opportunity to use its authoritative role to seek improved:
1. A rule would reaffirm that Native Hawaiians are a political (not racial) community that has a special legal and political status. Such reaffirmation would strengthen protections against legal threats to programs and entitlements that benefit Native Hawaiians.
2. The establishment of a DOI rule would offer Native Hawaiians what every major group of people indigenous to the U.S. enjoy: A means to establish a government-to-government relationship with the U.S.
The draft rule does NOT harm the claims of the Native Hawaiian people. The draft rule clarifies the U.S.’ commitment that the rule “would not undermine the fundamental, retained inherent sovereign powers of a reorganized Native Hawaiian government” (p. 31).
1. Provide comments on the DOI website in support of the draft DOI rule with amendments for improvements as being forwarded by numerous Hawaiian leaders. View OHA’s official comments on the rule.
2. Or show your support by filling out the form below:
For more information on the rule and the process, visit: www.doi.gov