Daniel Akaka: “I rise once again to discuss legislation I have introduced to extend the federal policy of self-governance and…”

“I rise once again to discuss legislation I have introduced to extend the federal policy of self-governance and self-determination to Hawaii's indigenous peoples. S. 147 would provide parity in the federal policies towards indigenous peoples in the 50 states, to include American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. To understand the importance of this legislation, one must understand Hawaii's history. Despite the fact that the Congress passed P.L. 103- 150, the Apology Resolution, which recites Hawaii's history, many of my colleagues are unaware of our history. Let me provide some context of what we have experienced so that you might better understand the importance of this bill to my state. Captain James Cook landed in Hawaii in 1778. Prior to Western contact, Native Hawaiians lived in an advanced society that was steeped in science. Native Hawaiians honored their land and environment, and therefore developed methods of irrigation, agriculture, aquaculture, navigation, medicine, fishing and other forms of subsistence whereby the land and sea were efficiently used without waste or damage. Respect for the environment and for others formed the basis of their culture and tradition. The immediate and brutal decline of the Native Hawaiian population was the most obvious result of contact with the West. Between Cook's arrival and 1820, disease, famine, and war killed more than half of the Native Hawaiian population.…”