A provision that could have led to federal recognition of Native Hawaiians was cut from the final version of an omnibus bill pending before the U.S. Congress.

This comment comes from Dan Inouye, who pushed for the provision:

The Hawaiian recognition provision embraced the excellent work of the State Legislature in beginning the process of Native Hawaiian self-determination and recognition. This provision remained an active item of discussion between the members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee until the very end. Unfortunately, it was opposed by members of the House, who wanted a variety of devastating anti-environmental riders which, if the Senate accepted, would have set back our nation’s air and water protections for many years to come. I am very disappointed to report that I was compelled to give up our recognition provision at the end of the Conference. It was very difficult, but it needed to be done to conclude the negotiations and send an Omnibus appropriations package to the President for his signature. I will continue to fight for federal recognition for Native Hawaiians and I will work with the other members of the Hawaii delegation to plan our next move.

Photo of U.S. Sens. Dan Akaka and Dan Inouye courtesy Jesse Broder Van Dyke.