---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 7517"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "7517"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/7517"
units:
  - "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. Definitions


In this part:

- (1) **Community consultation—** The term “community consultation” means a public gathering—
  - (A) to discuss [Native Hawaiian](#2) 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](/usc/20/7171.md?p=b-6) 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](#2) from a specific community and that assists in the social, cultural, and educational development of [Native Hawaiians](#2) 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](#2);
  - (B) has [Native Hawaiians](#2) in substantive and policymaking positions within the organization;
  - (C) incorporates [Native Hawaiian](#2) perspective, values, language, culture, and traditions into the core function of the organization;
  - (D) has demonstrated expertise in the education of [Native Hawaiian](#2) 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](/usc/20/7801.md?p=34) indigenous to the original inhabitants of the [State](/usc/20/7171.md?p=b-6) of Hawaii.
- (6) **Native Hawaiian organization—** The term “Native Hawaiian organization” means a private nonprofit organization that—
  - (A) serves the interests of [Native Hawaiians](#2);
  - (B) has [Native Hawaiians](#2) 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](#2).
- (7) **Office of Hawaiian Affairs—** The term “Office of Hawaiian Affairs” means the Office of Hawaiian Affairs established by the Constitution of the [State](/usc/20/7171.md?p=b-6) of Hawaii.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–10, title VI, § 6207, formerly title VII, § 7207, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title VII, § 701, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1941; renumbered title VI, § 6207, and amended Pub. L. 114–95, title VI, §§ 6001(a), (b)(1), 6003(d), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2046, 2067.)

## Notes

### 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 Amendment

Amendment 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.