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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2006

U.S. SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA TO ADDRESS CNHA SYMPOSIUM

HONOLULU, HI – The Honorable Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Congress, sponsor of the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act (Akaka Bill), will open the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA) Educational Symposium on Defining Citizenship at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel today at 9:15 a.m. in the Pacific Ballroom.

Sponsored by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the UCLA School of Law Native Nations Law & Policy Center, the CNHA Public Policy Center coordinated two jam-packed days of informative workshops beginning today.  This symposium will feature leaders and experts in the field of Native Law to share the experience of other Native nations, including best practices and challenges faced.  Today’s Workshop Topics include: 

• The Difference Between Citizenship and Membership;
• The Akaka Bill & an Actual Constitutional Document;
• The Purpose of Base Rolls for a Native Government; and
• Reviewing Citizenship Requirements (Residency, Blood Quantum, etc).

• State Senator Colleen Hanabusa – State of Hawaii;
• Professor DeAnna Rivera – UCLA Native Nations Law & Policy Center;
• Vice President Jade Danner – CNHA Public Policy Center;
• Quentin Kawananakoa – Hawaiian Homes Commission;
• Trustee Dante Carpenter – Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and
• Trustee Oswald Stender – Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

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