20 USC § 7517 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t20/s7517"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "20 USC § 7517 - Definitions"
title_number: 20
title_name: "EDUCATION"
section_number: "7517"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 70
chapter_name: "STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS"
subchapter_number: "VI"
subchapter_name: "INDIAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND ALASKA NATIVE EDUCATION"
part_number: "B"
part_name: "Native Hawaiian Education"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
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.)"
---


# § 7517. Definitions

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.

---

**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.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—, 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  effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as a note under .