Honolulu, HI - Native Hawaiians are familiar with the request for documentation of their ancestry in order to participate in various programs.   To ease the time and cost burden of thousands of Hawaiians submitting individual documents, the Legislature and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission (Roll Commission) have implemented a process using multiple confirmation sources.  The process simplifies ancestral confirmation for Native Hawaiians seeking to be listed on the Kanaʻiolowalu Registry, commonly referred to as the Roll.  The Kanaʻiolowalu Registry is a list of qualified Native Hawaiians seeking to participate in the modern reorganization of the Native Hawaiian government.  Persons on the list are recognized by the State of Hawaiʻi as the indigenous people of Hawai‘i.

Under state law in Section 10H-3, people who are eligible to be beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands, to meet ancestry eligibility for the Kamehameha Schools, or any of the Hawaiian registry programs of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, all meet the criteria for eligibility of the Roll.   If you are a Hawaiian Home Lands lessee or on the waiting list and had your ancestry verified, if you are attending or graduated from the Kamehameha Schools, on the Hawaiian Registry, Operation Ohana, or Kau Inoa, no additional paperwork is required.

Most Hawaiians who were born in Hawai’i have “Hawaiian” or “part-Hawaiian” on their birth certificate.  However, for thousands of individuals to obtain certificates from the Department of Health would be costly and time-consuming while creating long lines.   An interdepartmental agreement allows for the Roll Commission to electronically confirm ancestry without obtaining individual records.  The agreement does not authorize or enable the Roll Commission to receive specific information about individuals.

To avoid inappropriate use of personal data, state law classifies this information, including birth certificates submitted with registrations, as confidential.

In 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed Act 195 into law, recognizing Native Hawaiians as the indigenous population of the Hawaiian Islands.  The law established the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, with unpaid commissioners appointed by the Governor, to certify and publish a roll of Qualified Native Hawaiians.  Act 195 called for the roll to be used to organize a Native Hawaiian governing entity that is recognized by the State of Hawai‘i.  Click here to register today.  For more information about the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission or the content of this announcement, call 808.594.0088 or visit www.kanaiolowalu.org.