The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Tuesday that it will now require formal consultation with the Native Hawaiian community.
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An initial draft of new policies and procedures proposes to bolster the department’s efforts to encourage “early, robust, interactive, pre-decisional, informative and transparent consultation”
It would also require department staff to undergo training before participating in consultation; establish bi-annual meetings between the secretary and Native Hawaiian leaders; clarify that department decision-makers must invite Native Hawaiian leaders to engage in consultation; and require a record of consultation
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chair Carmen “Hulu,” Lindsey called DOI’s decision “a victory in the fight for Native Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination”
The draft requirements are in keeping with Pres. Joe Biden’s Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships
The department said new policies and procedures, subject to consultation, will further “affirm and honor the special political and trust relationship between the United States and the Native Hawaiian Community.”
