THE PROCESS…
Once the bill becomes law, OHA will be the lead advocate and liaison to facilitate a fair, democratic and inclusive process in which the new Native Hawaiian governing entity (NHGE) will be created – by, and for, Native Hawaiians.
After the bill becomes law, several simple steps will take place. They include…
1. Indigenous status reaffirmed
Native Hawaiians are reaffirmed as a native people.
Immediately, Native Hawaiians are re-acknowledged as a distinct, indigenous native people with whom the U.S. has a special political and legal relationship. Native Hawaiians have a process to:
Exercise self-determination through self-governance and decision-making
Reorganize a Native Hawaiian Governing Entity
Negotiate land and natural resource disposition
Continue a process of reconciliation with the U.S.
2. Office Established
U.S. Office of Hawaiian Relations is established.
U.S. Office of Native Hawaiian Relations is established. The U.S. Secretary of Interior establishes an Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to continue reconciliation and, along with the White House, lead an Inter-agency Coordinating Group to align policies and programs affecting Native Hawaiians.
3. Commission established
Nine-Member Commission is established.The U.S. Secretary of Interior appoints a nine-member Commission comprised of qualified individuals. The Commission will prepare a roll of qualified Native Hawaiian constituents and help with the process of government reorganization.
4. Roll of Names Created
Roll of names of participating Native Hawaiians is created.The Commission will prepare, maintain and update a roll of qualified Native Hawaiian constituents (Roll) who wish to participate in the reorganization of the governing entity. The Roll will be published in the U.S. Federal Register.
5. Council is Elected
Council is elected.Those on the certified Native Hawaiian roll determine Council structure and elect Council members to represent them in implementation of NHGRA. The Council holds a vote among those on the Roll to gather proposed elements of the governing entity to draft documents for a vote.
6. Documents Ratified
Documents describing the governing entity membership, powers and responsibilities are drafted and ratified.Documents with the proposed elements of the reorganized Native Hawaiian governing entity are drafted and distributed by the Council, and a vote among those on the Roll is held to ratify them. The approved documents are reviewed and certified by the Interior Secretary.
7. Officers elected
Officers of the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity are elected.The Council, assisted by the Interior Secretary, holds another vote, this time to elect officers of the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity. Once the officers are elected, and receive the Roll, the Council ceases to exist.
8. Entity recognized
The Native Hawaiian Governing Entity is officially recognized.The Native Hawaiian Governing Entity is recognized by the United States. The U.S., the State of Hawai‘i and the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity will negotiate powers, authorities and the transfer of assets and resources to the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity.