Watch: U.S. Senate field hearing on Native Hawaiian community held at UH Hilo

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U.S. Senator Schatz brought the committee to Hilo to hear directly about successes, challenges, and recommendations for advancing Native Hawaiian education, tradition and culture, economic development, and the arts.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a field hearing titled “Upholding The Federal Trust Responsibility: Funding and Program Access For Innovation In The Native Hawaiian Community” on June 2 at Haleʻōlelo on the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus. Haleʻōlelo is home to Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.

Schatz opened the hearing by highlighting the unique perspectives that UH and the Hilo community bring to the federal conversation about how best to support Native communities.

“This is a place where rich tradition and cutting-edge innovation meet, and I am interested in learning from you today about how you use those resources to serve the Native Hawaiian community,” says Schatz in a media release. “We brought the committee to Hilo to hear directly from you about your successes, your challenges, and your recommendations for advancing Native Hawaiian education, tradition and culture, economic development, and the arts.”

Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa, director of Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at UH Hilo, gave testimony.

In addition, the following witnesses participated in the hearing in Hilo:

      • Nāmaka Rawlins, Alakaʻi – Senior Director, Hale Kipa ʻŌiwi at ʻAha Pūnana Leo
      • Kāhealani Naeole-Wong, Poʻo Kula – Head of School, Kamehameha Schools Keaʻau Campus
      • Amy Kalili, Partner, Pilina First LLP
      • Luana Kawelu, President, Merrie Monarch Festival
      • Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, Advisor, Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative, President, Māla Kaluʻulu Cooperative and Associate Research Professor, UH
      • Kūhaʻo Zane, Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs and SZKaiao & Kālaimoku, Board of Directors, Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation
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