28 Sep 2016

Reaction to a US move favouring indigenous Hawaiians

From , 4:05 pm on 28 September 2016


A prominent native Hawaiian says moves to allow the state's indigenous population to choose whether to form a unified government is a huge development.

The United States last week announced that native Hawaiians are now eligible for federal recognition, and can choose to form a body to enter into formal government-to-government relations with the US.

It would be the first time the Native Hawaiian community had their own government since their kingdom was overthrown in 1893, a move that led to US annexation in 1898.

The president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Annell Amaral, says she is overjoyed by the announcement, as it finally gives Hawaii's native inhabitants formal recognition.

She told Jamie Tahana it's been decades in the making.

The Hawaii State Capitol is the official statehouse or capitol building of the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The Hawaii State Capitol is the official statehouse or capitol building of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Photo: Supplied