Title 20, EducationRelease 119-110

§7517 Definitions

Title 20 › CHAPTER 70 — STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS › SUBCHAPTER VI — INDIAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND ALASKA NATIVE EDUCATION › Part B — Native Hawaiian Education › § 7517

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used for Native Hawaiian education and community programs. Community consultation means a public meeting about Native Hawaiian education that the public is told about at least 30 days beforehand. Native Hawaiian means a U.S. citizen who is descended from the aboriginal people who lived and ruled the area now called Hawaii before 1778, shown by genealogy, elder or long-term resident confirmation, or certified birth records. Native Hawaiian community-based organization means a group made mostly of Native Hawaiians from one community that helps with their social, cultural, and educational development. Native Hawaiian educational organization means a private nonprofit that serves Native Hawaiian interests, has Native Hawaiians in decision-making roles, uses Native Hawaiian language, culture, and values in its work, and has proven experience in educating youth and in research and program development. Native Hawaiian language means the single indigenous Native American language of Hawaii’s original inhabitants. Native Hawaiian organization means a private nonprofit that serves Native Hawaiian interests, has Native Hawaiians in leadership, and is recognized by the Governor of Hawaii to plan or run programs for Native Hawaiians. Office of Hawaiian Affairs means the state office created by Hawaii’s Constitution.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §7517

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this part:
(1)Community consultation
The term “community consultation” means a public gathering—
(A)to discuss Native Hawaiian education concerns; and
(B)about which the public has been given not less than 30 days notice.
(2)Native Hawaiian
The term “Native Hawaiian” means any individual who is—
(A)a citizen of the United States; and
(B)a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now comprises the State of Hawaii, as evidenced by—
(i)genealogical records;
(ii)Kupuna (elders) or Kamaaina (long-term community residents) verification; or
(iii)certified birth records.
(3)Native Hawaiian community-based organization
The term “Native Hawaiian community-based organization” means any organization that is composed primarily of Native Hawaiians from a specific community and that assists in the social, cultural, and educational development of Native Hawaiians in that community.
(4)Native Hawaiian educational organization
The term “Native Hawaiian educational organization” means a private nonprofit organization that—
(A)serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;
(B)has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking positions within the organization;
(C)incorporates Native Hawaiian perspective, values, language, culture, and traditions into the core function of the organization;
(D)has demonstrated expertise in the education of Native Hawaiian youth; and
(E)has demonstrated expertise in research and program development.
(5)Native Hawaiian language
The term “Native Hawaiian language” means the single Native American language indigenous to the original inhabitants of the State of Hawaii.
(6)Native Hawaiian organization
The term “Native Hawaiian organization” means a private nonprofit organization that—
(A)serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;
(B)has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking positions within the organization; and
(C)is recognized by the Governor of Hawaii for the purpose of planning, conducting, or administering programs (or portions of programs) for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
(7)Office of Hawaiian Affairs
The term “Office of Hawaiian Affairs” means the Office of Hawaiian Affairs established by the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–95, § 6003(d), added par. (1) and redesignated former pars. (1) to (6) as (2) to (7), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 7517

Title 20, Education

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110