Kanaka Maoli Native Hawaiians
call themselves Kanaka Maoli. They are descendants of
the early Polynesians who arrived in these islands 1500-2000
years ago.
2000 U.S. Census
Native Hawaiians (1
Race) Native Hawaiians (Multi-Race) American Indian and Alaska Native Total Population of Hawaii
80,137
282,667
3,535
1,211,537
Congress defines "Native Hawaiian" as "any individual who
is a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778,
occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now
constitutes the State of Hawaii."
NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2007
The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007 is a bill currently
before the United States Congress. It was introduced as Senate Bill S. 310
last January 17, 2007 by U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii and is commonly
called the Akaka Bill. The House version of the bill H.R. 505 was passed
October 24, 2007.
The bill would establish a process for Native Hawaiians to
gain federal recognition of a Native Hawaiian governing entity similar to the
recognition of some Native American nations.
Hawaii
