Some Native Hawaiian groups and individuals say they want to hear more specifics about a plan to designate a large section of historic Honolulu as a National Heritage Area.

Supporters of a federal heritage designation say it will make organizations and businesses within the area eligible for millions of dollars in federal and other funds that would encourage cultural tourism and teach visitors more about Hawai'i's history.

But some Native Hawaiian groups and individuals say they are wary about what a U.S. "seal of approval" might mean for culturally sensitive areas. They also wonder about the symbolism of a U.S. heritage area encompassing sites that they believe are significant and sensitive from a Hawaiian perspective, not an American one.

Hawai'i's congressional delegation has introduced legislation in Congress in hopes of having the designation approved by Aug. 21, the 50th anniversary of statehood.

Hawaiian activists Mililani Trask and Manu Kai'ama have asked that the local nonprofit Hawai'i Capital Cultural Coalition present the plan and answer questions at a community information session at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Kamakauokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, Conference Room 210, at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. It was not known if the coalition plans to attend.

"They really need to have a conversation with the Hawaiian community," said Tamar DeFries, a resident of the Papakolea homestead community that is part of the proposed heritage area. "I just want to know how this is going to impact me as a resident of the area, and as a Hawaiian. I'm not passing judgment."

Other Hawaiian interests have some concerns about whether grouping culturally significant but sensitive areas like 'Iolani Palace and Mauna Ala, the royal mausoleum, with other tourist attractions like Chinatown or the Hawai'i Maritime Center, as well as being lumped with 40 U.S. heritage areas, might diminish their significance.

Andre Perez, a spokesman for Hui Pu, an umbrella organization for sovereignty groups, said heightened security in recent months at the palace already has some Hawaiian groups uneasy. "Some people see this as a move to add another layer of oppression onto Hawaiian self-determination and sovereignty."

There's also some concern that a place like Mauna Ala might become too touristy.

"They're going to take something that's very sacred and special — this is the burial place of our kings and queens," Perez said. "When they say heritage area, I guess for me, the question is, 'Whose heritage are we talking about?' "

The Hawai'i Capital Cultural Coalition's Web site says more than 25 central Honolulu arts and cultural organizations and more than 40 businesses, public agencies and service organizations support its efforts to promote and preserve Hawai'i's heritage.

Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of Friends of 'Iolani Palace and a member of the cultural coalition board, said the palace has been a registered U.S. national historic landmark since 1962.

"I'm sure a number of the other sites in the heritage area also have national historic designations already," he said.

"So cumulatively, the national heritage area makes sense ... in a marketing sense," he said. "It's a whole district of historic places."

So long as it is done with a sense of respect and sensitivity, Chu said, "I would think more education is a good thing."