While supporters of full independence may not yet be a majority, their numbers are clearly growing strongly. In less than four years support has grown from 1 in 8 people in Hawaii favoring independence to 1 in 3. This indicates a total number of about 400,000 people. For perspective, this is a greater number than voted for any elected official in the de facto state of Hawaii, including the governor and U.S. senators. Legally, the restoration of Hawaii's independence is not dependent on majority support of the entire population, many of whom are American citizens recently immigrated to Hawaii.
Restoration is more a matter of law than public opinion.
Nevertheless, voices of independence advocate a smooth and peaceful transition in which the interests of all of Hawaii's residents are considered, and the greater the popular support the easier the transition. The significant growth in support shows the fruit of the numerous educational efforts since the 1993 centennial of the illegal overthrow, and the United States' official apology for that act, brought the issue of sovereignty into the public debate. What only a few years ago was considered a radical concept spoken of carefully in private, is now openly discussed from board rooms to beach parks, and is commonly mentioned in the media. Other issues of importance in the survey were land rights, Hawaiian unity, education and health. This major research project commissioned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was presented August 10.