Hawaiian recognition language left out of House budget bill

Star-Advertiser reports

Enabling language that would have been the first step toward federal recognition for native Hawaiians was left out of the $1 trillion-plus budget bill approved today by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The provision would have recognized native Hawaiians as an indigenous people of the United States and began a process of self-determination and recognition similar to state legislation adopted earlier this year.

“This provision remained an active item of discussion between the members of the House and Senate Appropriations committee until the very end,” U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it was opposed by members of the House […]”