Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

DOI

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2000

(202) 208-6416

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-2008


NATIVE HAWAIIAN RECONCILIATION

FINAL REPORT RELEASED


WASHINGTON - The Department of the Interior and the Department of Justice announced today the release of the final report on the reconciliation process between the Federal government and Native Hawaiians.

"This historic report is the culmination of our findings from the meetings and consultations with the Native Hawaiian community," said John Berry, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, Department of the Interior. "I commend all of the people who participated in this very important step in the reconciliation process."

"The report finds that Native Hawaiians continue to maintain a distinct community and they should be allowed to determine their own affairs within the framework of Federal law," explained Jacqueline Agtuca, Acting Director, Office of Tribal Justice, Department of Justice. "The Federal government should honor the unique relationship that exists with Native Hawaiians and respond to their needs for more local control."

The Departments of Interior and Justice received public comments on the draft report on the reconciliation process from the time it was issued on August 23 until September 22, 2000, but did not conclude that any of the comments received warranted substantive changes to the report. The comments are summarized in an appendix to the report and will be posted on Interior's website in the near future. The report has been reviewed by all potentially affected Federal agencies, its release was authorized by the Office of Management and Budget and it is the official position of the Executive Branch of the United States Government. "Americans are justice loving people," said Berry, adding "Although this report has been a long time coming, it takes a big step down a path that will offer more justice to the Native Hawaiian community. As Queen Liliuokalani said, "The world cannot stand still. We must either advance or recede. Let us advance together! With true hearts and strong hands, we can come together to reconcile the past and build a better future."

(More)

A copy of the report will be posted on the Department of the Interior web site on October 23, 2000 at The report will be available on the web in the form of PDF files (readable with Adobe Acrobat Reader)

###

00-624