And they want the federal government to recognize them as such.

An astounding 10 of every 11 Hawaiians reject any blood quantum requirement for recognition as a distinct people or for benefits and programs that may flow from special recognition. And by nearly as high a margin they want the U.S. government to grant recognition similar to that given Native Americans and Alaska natives.

Prince Jonah Kuhio, as a delegate to Congress in 1920, argued for a 1/32 blood quantum for qualification for Hawaiian Homes lands. Congress set the figure at 50 percent.

Today, most Hawaiians want no blood quantum at all. A drop of Hawaiian blood should be enough for anyone to be considered Hawaiian, they say.

Federal recognition legislation has been introduced in Congress by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, since the Hawaii Poll was taken April 18-28, but the results suggest it has solid support in the Hawaiian community.

"It is absolutely crucial," said University of Hawaii professor Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa.

Hawaiian scholars and activists argue about what form federal recognition will take and the kind of governing body that will be created.

Some Hawaiian sovereignty organizations insist on complete independence, rejecting any relationship between Hawai‘i and the United States other than that of separate nations.

The Hawai‘i Poll suggests most Hawaiians do not want that.

When the poll results were examined by subgroup, the overwhelming support for federal recognition was across the board.

Ninety percent of those with a quarter Hawaiian blood or less backed it; 86 percent of those with a quarter to a half; and 87 percent of those with half or more.

The weakest support came among those 55 years old and older and among non-OHA voters, and even here it was 82 percent. Those 35 to 54 years old backed it by 90 percent and those younger than 35 by 88 percent. OHA voters were 90 percent in favor.

Hawaiians on the list for Hawaiian Home Lands leases were the most supportive of any sub-grouping, with 93 percent backing federal recognition. Those not on the waiting list supported it with 84 percent.

Eighty-eight percent of men and 87 percent of women favored recognition, and support ran from 85 percent among those with high school or less education up to 91 percent for those with college degrees.

The results suggest that those Hawaiian leaders are on the right track who are studying the various American Indian and Alaskan tribal and national models of relationships with the U.S. government.

The Hawai‘i Poll found that Hawaiians reject any blood percentage basis for access to programs. The Hawaiian people’s yearning for solidarity is nowhere so clear as the blood quantum issue. They absolutely don’t want one.

Ninety-one percent reject imposing a blood-quantum requirement for recognition and programs. The lowest ratings were among the elderly, those with more than 50 percent Hawaiian blood.

"As long as you have some, you should be eligible," said Mark Perry of Kailua.

This is an issue members of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees figured out years ago, and they have fought for the demolition of blood quotas. A regular cry at public hearings on Hawaiian issues is that the federal blood quantum requirement divides the community.

Some Hawaiians agree that there should be no blood line that separates those of Hawaiian blood. Some suggest that those of full or nearly full Hawaiian blood should be given some special consideration.

Ho‘olehua, Moloka‘i, resident Larry Helm, 58, said the federal and state governments, before they make new promises to the larger community of Hawaiians, should be required to perform on their trust obligations to those with 50 percent or more Hawaiian blood.

"They should make pono what has been done wrong to Native Hawaiians, and then make right for all Hawaiians," he said.

Dorothy Alo of Pukalani, Maui, said one can not separate Hawaiian blood from Hawaiian culture.

"There are some Hawaiians who have very little Hawaiian, who are more Hawaiian than ‘real’ Hawaiians," she said.

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