Senator Daniel Akaka gives his final speech to the Native Hawaiian Convention as a retiring U.S. Senator. He reflects on his career advocating for Native Hawaiian rights and self-governance, including passing legislation apologizing for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and his bill to establish a Native Hawaiian governing entity. He urges the community to continue working to advance self-determination and ensure the preservation of Hawaiian culture, language, and people for future generations.

1. SENATOR AKAKA GIVES FINAL SPEECH TO THE NATIVE
HAWAIIAN CONVENTION
Waikiki, Hawaii – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman of the
Indian Affairs Committee, spoke today at the annual Native Hawaiian
Convention at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Senator Akaka has
spoken at every Native Hawaiian Convention since its inception in 2001,
and this was his last one as a sitting U.S. Senator, as he retires in
January. Akaka is the first Native Hawaiian ever to serve in the U.S.
Senate and third to serve in Congress.
Senator Akaka’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
Aloha! It is so good to be home! Mahalo for inviting me to join you at
this year’s Native Hawaiian Convention.
Mahalo nui loa to Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Chairman
Alvin Parker and President Robin Danner for their leadership in
organizing this annual convention. Mahalo nui loa to all of you, who are
attending this convention in record numbers. By coming together as a
community, to listen to different mana‘o, kūkākūkā, and holo i mua, we
can achieve this year’s convention theme: “Moving Forward—Our
People, Our Land, Our Spirit.”
I am so proud to say that I have joined you here at this convention every
year since the beginning. As you know, after 36 years of service in
Congress, I am retiring at the end of this year.
Throughout my career, I have been inspired by the leaders who came
before me. I hope to inspire the leaders who will follow. I’m proud to
be the first Native Hawaiian in the U.S. Senate, and even more proud to
be the third to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
After Hawaii was annexed to the United States of America, Robert
Wilcox was elected as a territorial delegate to the House in 1900. Prince
Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole represented Hawai‘i from 1903 to 1921.

2. Both men had been jailed with Queen Lili‘uokalani and sentenced to
death for trying to reinstate the Queen after the illegal overthrow. But
they didn’t give up, they used the American political system to help our
people. They were elected because Native Hawaiians voted and made
sure we had representation in the United States Congress.
In the early 1900s, these men lived in times of deep segregation in the
United States, when Hawaii was still reeling from the aftermath of the
illegal overthrow and rapid political change. Both Congressman Robert
Wilcox and Congressman Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole found motivation
to work towards self-sufficiency for our people so that we could once
again thrive, be productive and contribute to our families, our
communities, and our island home.
Throughout my career in Congress I have built upon the achievements of
these two men, and I have drawn inspiration and courage from them.
Through it all, I have carried our culture and our aloha with me. I have
tried to remain focused on what is pono, and set my goals around what
can be achieved in the spirit of lōkahi.
I have seen so many changes in Hawai‘i and across the country, and I
have been amazed at the resiliency of our Native Hawaiian people, our
culture, and our language. Since I was a boy, the United States has
grown and evolved. I have witnessed profound change in the status and
treatment of all indigenous peoples.
Gone are the days when teaching our language was banned, when our
culture and traditions were deemed unimportant. We now know that our
language, culture, and traditions hold incredible wisdom about how best
to live in this place we call Hawaii.
This Congress, I have had the great pleasure and responsibility of
leading the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. I have focused on
strengthening the identities of Native peoples, and their ability to protect
their homelands. I have worked with my colleagues to make sure they

3. understand the federal relationship with Native peoples and its origins in
the Constitution.
When it was written, the broad terms Indian and tribe were used in the
Constitution to mean indigenous peoples, with their diversity of unique
cultures, languages and traditions. Each with their own ways of
governing themselves. The consistent use of these terms Indian and
tribe results in the federal government treating all federally-recognized
Native peoples equally, with the same tools to address the unique needs
and priorities in their own communities.
It is long past time for the Native Hawaiian people to have the same
rights, the same privileges, and the same opportunities as every other
federally-recognized Native people. That is why I am working tirelessly
to secure parity in federal policy for our people. My bill, the Native
Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, gives us full access to the
prevailing federal policy on self-determination, and the ability to once
again exercise our right to be self-governing.
For more than 12 years, I have worked with our community and other
stakeholders to develop the terms of this bill.
I have listened carefully to all sides, and I am determined to do what is
best for all of Hawaii, by ensuring Native Hawaiians a true avenue for
reconciliation.
Last month, the Indian Affairs Committee passed my amended bill,
which builds upon State of Hawaii Act 195 that created the Native
Hawaiian Roll Commission. The amendment removes the sections of
my bill about creating and certifying the roll of qualified Native
Hawaiian constituents, because that process is already underway here in
the islands, and streamlines my bill down to its essential parts.
As Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, this version of the bill
represents my best mana‘o on how to secure the future of our people, by
ensuring we are afforded the same rights and opportunities as all other
federally-recognized Native peoples—no more, no less.

4. I was proud to be the first person to sign up for the Kanaʻiolowalu
registry – the new roll of Native Hawaiian voters. If you haven’t
already, I urge you to do the same, to participate in this incredible
process to re-organize our Native Hawaiian government. I’m told there
is a booth here where you can sign up, or you can visit their website. I
truly believe that as the indigenous people of Hawaii, our ability to chart
our own course and define our own future will never be secure until we
have parity with all other Native peoples.
My amended bill sets a proper foundation for the reorganization of a
Native Hawaiian government -- which will have a government-to-
government relationship with the United States and the State of Hawaii.
This version of my bill is the best way forward.
In these changing times, it is critical that all Native Americans -
American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians - continue to
stand together, and move forward together, to advance Native
sovereignty and self-determination in the United States. There is
strength in solidarity.
Native self-governance leads to Native self-sufficiency, resulting in our
continued ability to be productive and contribute to the well-being of our
families, our communities, and our great nation. It is in this spirit that I
worked to secure passage of the Apology Resolution. I will continue to
fight every day I am in Congress for passage of the Native Hawaiian
Government Reorganization Act.
I know I am just one in a long line working to ensure that our language,
our culture, and our people continue to thrive for generations to come. I
understand my kuleana is to advance our rights, and to help prepare the
next generation to take up their kuleana - to advance the causes of our
people.
I think often of our beloved Queen Lili‘uokalani, her character, and her
words. She said:

5. I could not turn back the time for the political change, but there
is still time to save our heritage. You must remember never to
cease to act because you fear you may fail.
These words have guided my conduct and service over the years.
Serving as your Senator has been my greatest privilege, honor, and duty.
I am thankful to all the people of Hawai‘i for putting their trust in me.
This voyage we are on together, advancing the cause of our people, is far
from over.
Like those who set the course before you: Grab your paddle and hoe a
mau. There may be rough seas along the way, but I am confident that
you possess the ability to successfully navigate our people into the
future.
It is important to remember to live Hawaiian values, draw courage from
those that have come before you, and focus your work on advancing
self-determination and self-sufficiency. Prepare yourself, learn new
skills, work hard, so you can make contributions to your community, to
your state, to your country, and to our people. Strive to extend aloha in
all you do. You will find it returned to you.
E ke Akua ho‘omaika‘i ia oukou. E ke Akua ho‘omaika‘i ia Hawai‘i. E
ke Akua ho‘omaika‘i ia Amelika. God Bless you, God Bless Hawai‘i,
and God Bless the United States of America.
Me ke aloha pumehana, a hui hou.