"The United States has not always acted honorably in its treatment of our Nation's First People."
"There is absolutely nothing in the legislation that I see that is remotely relevant to that alleged risk."
"It is needed because in 1893, the Native Hawaiian government, led by Queen Lili'uokalani, was illegally overthrown."
"This legislation provides parity. It enables Hawaii's indigenous people to establish a government-to-government relationship with the United States."
"We must ensure that Native Hawaiians have the same opportunities as other Americans."
"This Senator believes there should be no doubt on the question of the existence of Native Hawaiians."
"Home ownership is the beginning for somebody to launch their lives off to a much better place."
"Upon enactment of S. 1011, would Native Hawaiians be subject to the laws of the United States?"
"So we really appreciate the contributions that all of you and the panel have made."
"The authority that you are giving us as an entity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, to do that, is a tremendous authority, a tremendous resource that we are providing our people."
"Mahalo. Thank you for your responses."
"this is likely, from a community-based organization perspective, likely the single most important public policy piece of legislation for Hawaiians today and for generations to come."
"We do have distinct Hawaiian communities."
"the birthplace in our Constitution of the doctrine of equal protection is also, it is the 14th Amendment"
"tribes have, and ought to continue to have the ability to define their own membership further"
"2009 is the year that Congress should enact S. 1011."
"The United States committed itself to a process of reconciliation with the Native Hawaiian people."
"It is time Congress and our Nation take the next step with them in honoring their resilience."
