OHA supports State Recognition for Native Hawaiians

HONOLULU – Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairperson Colette Machado was one of the five featured speakers at a ceremony Gov. Neil Abercrombie hosted July 6, 2011 at Washington Place to sign into law a bill that recognizes Native Hawaiians as the only indigenous people of Hawai‘i.

Speaking to more than 100 people at the bill-signing ceremony, Machado called the landmark legislation the clearest position the state has taken since 2000 to reaffirm Native Hawaiian rights, adding that it should define the state’s position on any future challenges to Native Hawaiian entitlements.