From the National Journal's Almanac
Hawaii State Profile
The second peculiar characteristic of Hawaii is its aloha spirit. This great asset could become a liability if Hawaii goes too far on Native Hawaiian sovereignty. The commemoration of the overthrow of Liliuokalani has led the state government to set up a process for Native Hawaiians to decide if they want sovereignty, though no one is quite sure what that means. In September 1996, 30,000 eligibles with some Native blood (there are only a few hundred pure native Hawaiians left) voted 73% yes on the question, "Shall the Hawaiian people elect delegates to propose a native Hawaiian government?" It seems unlikely they will want to be a separate nation, or that Congress will let them; some leaders of native groups call for "nation within a nation" status, with dual citizenship, limited return of lands, and restoration of Hawaiian culture, which also seems a nonstarter. Others want the same status as recognized Indian tribes, which would allow Native gambling -- a bonanza in the one of two American states (Utah is the other) which allows no gambling of any kind. Cayetano says sovereignty will be fine if it is "acceptable to the non-Hawaiians, as well as the United States government"; the four-member Hawaiian congressional delegation promised to abide by the results of the referendum.
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