HAWAII DELEGATION REINTRODUCES VERSION OF ‘AKAKA BILL’ APPROVED IN 2007

The Hawaii Congressional Delegation today reintroduced a version of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act which passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the full House of Representatives in 2007.

akakbill_final_330Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye introduced the bill in the Senate, and Representatives Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono in the House.

The delegation issued the following joint statement explaining today’s action:

“We have been working together to enact the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act which is critical for the future of our state.  After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with the version of the bill which was approved by the relevant Congressional committees and the full House in 2007.”

This version of the bill contains a prohibition on gaming by the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity.  All forms of gambling are already illegal under Hawaii State law.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)

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