Senate to Vote on Hawaiian Self-Rule Bill

[Judi Lynn]

Senate to Vote on Hawaiian Self-Rule Bill
By RON STATON, Associated Press Writer

Sunday, July 17, 2005

(07-17) 12:05 PDT Honolulu (AP) --
After six years of trying, Sen. Daniel Akaka hopes to finally see a vote in the Senate this week on one of the hardest-fought measures of his congressional career — his bill to grant his fellow Native Hawaiians federal recognition.

"It will have a historical impact," said Akaka, D-Hawaii. "It affects Hawaii, the Pacific, the nation."

The measure is tentatively scheduled for debate Monday night and Tuesday, with a vote on Wednesday. Akaka and Hawaii's other Democratic senator, Daniel Inouye, say there are enough votes for approval.

It would grant Native Hawaiians the same rights of self-government enjoyed by American Indians and Native Alaskans, and would lead to U.S. recognition of a native governing entity.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/07/17/national/a120553D04.DTL