Submit Your Comments on the Proposed Rule to Recognize a Native Hawaiian Government!
Message to Supporters from Grassroot Institute, June 21, 2014
The Department of the Interior has scheduled a series of public meetings to solicit public comments on a rule that would recognize a Native Hawaiian government.
This is your chance to have your voice heard!
If you would like to attend one of those meetings, you will find the schedule in the sidebar. However, if you still want to provide your comments, but cannot attend, you can submit them via the web portal here.
You can also mail your comments to:
Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, Room 7329, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240.
The deadline for submitting comments is Aug. 19, 2014.
What should I say?
Do not be intimidated by the extensive direction and legalese on the rule page. Use your own words and just remember to:
1. Be direct.
2. Be substantive.
3. Explain your reasoning.
4. Address the proposed rule, not the concept of nation-building in general.
The DOI is looking for comment on whether it should, "facilitate the reestablishment of a government to government relationship with the Native Hawaiian community." Specifically, it wants to consider these questions:
- Should the Secretary propose an administrative rule that would facilitate the reestablishment of a government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiian community?
- Should the Secretary assist the Native Hawaiian community in reorganizing its government, with which the United States could reestablish a government-to-government relationship?
- If so, what process should be established for drafting and ratifying a reorganized Native Hawaiian government’s constitution or other governing document?
- Should the Secretary instead rely on the reorganization of a Native Hawaiian government through a process established by the Native Hawaiian community and facilitated by the State of Hawaii, to the extent such a process is consistent with Federal law?
- If so, what conditions should the Secretary establish as prerequisites to Federal acknowledgment of a government-to-government relationship with the reorganized Native Hawaiian government?
Points to remember when developing your comments:
- The previous relationship between the U.S. and the Kingdom of Hawaii was with a multi-racial sovereign government. Native Hawaiians have never been a tribe, and developing a government based on race violates the Constitution.
- There is a distinct lack of support for the nation-building effort among Native Hawaiians, as evidenced by the low voluntary enrollment numbers by the Native Hawaiian Roll and by general skepticism about the state's role in the nation-building process.
- The creation of a Native Hawaiian tribe or government has never reached majority support among the general population of the state.
- Ignoring the possible legal and social ramifications of the creation of a Native Hawaiian government on the state as a whole is irresponsible.
- There are serious questions as to the legality of the state's nation-building process that cannot be swept aside.
- The US government cannot recognize a tribal governing entity based entirely on race in clear violation of the Constitution.
The Grassroot Institute will be submitting its own comments at the very first meeting on Monday. Be sure to take this opportunity to let your voice be heard on this critical issue!
Department of Interior Public Meetings Schedule
Oahu
Monday, June 23 -- Honolulu – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium
Monday, June 23 -- Waimanalo – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School
Tuesday, June 24 -- Waianae Coast – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Nanaikapono Elementary School
Wednesday, June 25 -- Kaneohe – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Heeia Elementary School
Thursday, June 26 -- Kapolei – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Makakilo Elementary School
Lanai
Friday, June 27 -- Lanai City – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lanai Senior Center
Molokai
Saturday, June 28 -- Kaunakakai – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Kaunakakai Elementary School
Kauai
Monday, June 30 -- Waimea – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Waimea Neighborhood Center
Tuesday, July 1 -- Kapaa – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Kapaa Elementary School
Hawaii Island
Wednesday, July 2 -- Hilo – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Keaukaha Elementary School
Thursday, July 3 -- Waimea – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Waimea Community Center
Thursday, July 3 -- Kona – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Kealakehe High School
Maui
Saturday, July 5 -- Hana – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hana High and Elementary School
Monday, July 7 -- Lahaina – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
King Kamehameha III Elementary School
Tuesday, July 8 -- Kahului – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Pomaikai Elementary School