With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Senator Reintroduces Bill to Recognize Native Hawaiians

Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka reintroduced the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill on Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning.

The so-called Akaka bill is part of a seven-year push for legislation to recognize Native Hawaiians as indigenous inhabitants of the 50th state. Their legal status would be similar to that of American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

The bill provides a process to set up a Native Hawaiian government and then start negotiations to transfer power and property from state and federal authorities to Hawaiians.

Related Links

  • Sen. Daniel Akaka's speech in the Senate
  • Sen. Lamar Alexander's Rebuttal
  • Read entire article at AP