The deadline for comment on a proposed bridge between Native Hawaiians and the US Government is closing soon.
In the fall the US Department of the Interior proposed establishing a formal government-to-government relationship as part of the reconciliation process. The proposal would give Native Hawaiians a legal framework that would help the native Hawaiian community work with the US government.
The move is separate from the Na‘i Aupuni election to choose delegates for a convention to discuss alternatives for Hawaiian self-governance. Last week the US Supreme Court blocked votes from being counted in that process.
Kealii Lopez is the Board president of Imua Hawai‘i. She says in order to preserve future options, it’s important to approve the DOI’s ruling while President Obama is in office.
The deadline for comment on the DOI proposal closes on December 30th and you can find more information or submit testimony at The Department of the Interior website.
More information on the Na‘i Aupuni election can be found here.