An overwhelming majority of Hawai‘i residents support federal recognition of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people similar to the status given American Indians and Native Alaskans, according to a poll conducted by Ward Research for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Seventy percent of residents surveyed favored the Akaka Bill, while nearly two-thirds of those polled also believe that the issue of race should not be a reason to deny federal recognition to Hawaiians.
About two-thirds of the poll respondents also agreed that organizations
such as the Kamehameha Schools, the state Department of Hawaiian Home
Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs should be protected from
further lawsuits through federal recognition.
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From Our Perspective
Commentary by Trustee Chair Haunani Apoliona in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007
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“Clearly, the poll demonstrates that those who challenge the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act do not speak for the majority of Hawai‘i residents, who believe that what is good for the indigenous population, Native Hawaiians, is good for all of Hawai‘i,” said OHA Board of Trustees Chair Haunani Apoliona.
The poll was conducted by Ward Research via telephone from August 15-27, among a representative sampling of 380 residents statewide. The sample is representative of the Hawaii population by age, ethnicity, and island of residence and carries a maximum sampling error of plus or minus 5 percent.
The poll looked at the Akaka Bill (Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007), named for sponsor U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. The bill proposes a formal process to recognize Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people. Those surveyed were asked, “Do you think that Hawaiians should be recognized by the U.S. as a distinct indigenous group, similar to the recognition given to American Indians and Alaska Natives?”
Seventy percent responded, “Yes,” 18 percent said, “No” and 12 percent didn’t know.
Sixty-seven percent of those polled also said that Hawaiians have the right to make decisions about their land, education, health, cultural and traditional practices, and social policies.
The poll also discussed the position of Akaka Bill critics who say that Hawaiians should not be federally recognized because they see Native Hawaiians as a race rather than an indigenous people.
But nearly two-thirds disagreed with that position. When asked, “Do you believe that Native Hawaiians should NOT be given federal recognition because of race,” 64 percent responded, “No.”
About the same percentage believe that Hawaiian programs through organizations like OHA, DHHL and the Kamehameha Schools should be protected through federal recognition.
Eighty-three percent of those surveyed believe that over 100-federally funded programs for Hawaiians should continue.
The poll also showed that the people of Hawaii have of high awareness of issues affecting Native Hawaiians: 84% of those surveyed heard of the Akaka bill and 79% were aware of the lawsuits against OHA, DHHL and Kamehameha Schools.
The poll also showed 51% supported the formation of a native Hawaiian governing entity.
“We are heartened by the support of residents of Hawai‘i who have clearly demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of the Akaka Bill. They see it as a fair and just way to improve the future for all of Hawai‘i,” Apoliona said.
The poll results are being released the day before the 17-member Hawaii State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights meets at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikïkï.
Chairperson Apoliona is scheduled to appear before the committee and will cite findings of the poll in her testimony.
OHA continues to be concerned over the independence, credibility and composition of the advisory committee.
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For information on the poll’s methodology, contact Becki Ward, president of Ward Research, at 522-5123.
Download a PDF of the poll methodology and results here.
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