NATIVE HAWAIIAN RECONCILIATION

US Department of Justice, Aug 23, 2000

Recommendation 2. This report recommends the establishment of an office in Interior to address Native Hawaiian issues, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, following approval by the Office of Management and Budget and with appropriate Congressional notification.

Recommendation 3. This report recommends that the Department of Justice assign the Office of Tribal Justice on an ongoing basis to maintain a dialogue with the Native Hawaiian people on issues of mutual concern and to continue to work cooperatively with Interior on these issues.

Recommendation 4. This report recommends the creation of a Native Hawaiian Advisory Commission to consult with all bureaus within Interior that manage land in Hawaii regarding land management, resource, and cultural issues affecting Native Hawaiians.

Recommendation 5. The past history of United States-Native Hawaiian relations reveals many instances in which the United States actions were less than honorable. Native Hawaiians continue to suffer the effects of these actions, for which our Nation continues to have moral responsibility. For justice to be served, this report recommends that the past wrongs suffered by the Native Hawaiian people should be addressed. Case-by-case litigation would not be the most productive avenue for reconciliation. Instead, the Departments believe a more productive approach to reconciliation would be through more general efforts to promote the welfare of the Native Hawaiian people, respect their rights, and address the wrongs that their community has suffered. While the Departments are not able at this time to recommend a precise outline for these efforts, we believe that the Executive Branch, Congress, the State of Hawaii, and the Native Hawaiian people must develop an appropriate process to ensure true reconciliation.