Are Native Hawaiians defined as Native Americans by the group?
I don’t know if that’s a formal position, but they’ve recognized Native Hawaiian populations are an important target population for their services. In fact, they have a contract with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to maintain its Molokai water system on home lands. The corporation also supports Native Hawaiian housing developers. Does the RCAC have a position on Hawaiian sovereignty? No. They’ve decided to defer on the issue until the picture has been clarified more by the Native Hawaiian community. But they are in general supportive of self-determination. What is your position on the Akaka bill? I don’t know that the group has a formal position, but I am in support of defining the relationship between the Native Hawaiian community and the U.S. government. Will you stand for president in three years? It’s more a case of who gets drafted. It’s not something I seek. But I think the organization has been a very positive force in rural communities in the west.
