i have a table that is just holding one column of unique information. so there isnt a need in my opinion to have a auto incrementing primary key. i'd rather just use the natural occuring key. will hibernate allow this? how do i configure this in the mapping?

Try the manual. Hint: it's in this general area:

http://www.hibernate.org/hib_docs/v3/re ... -generator

And it is called "assigned"