HONOLULU (AP) — A roll of qualified Native Hawaiians interested in participating in their own government has exceeded 95,000 people.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/1LR5i9c ) that the list, which has 95,690 names on it, will be used to elect delegates later this year to a constitutional convention.
The convention is expected to explore options for Hawaiian self-determination.
The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission manages the list of names. Registrants sign up online and are checked to make sure they are descendants of indigenous people who lived on the island before 1778. Those looking to participate must also declare the “relinquished sovereignty” of the Hawaiian people.
The initiative launched in July 2012. Nearly 290,000 Native Hawaiians live in the state.