After facing a delay, a bill to recognize a Native Hawaiian governing entity is up for debate when the Senate goes back to work on September 6.

According to conservative Republican columnist Robert D. Novak, the bill has enough votes to break a filibuster and pass the Senate "putting responsibility for stopping the bill on the House or a presidential veto." He said the Bush administration opposes the measure.

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), the sponsor, said debate on the bill would take up to 30 hours. He said debate might occur in the evenings while the Senate considers other issues, including the U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for John G. Roberts Jr., slated to being on September 6.

The conservative Heritage Foundation is holding a forum on the bill on Tuesday, August 30. See http://www.heritage.org/Press/Events for more information.

Get the Story:
Robert D. Novak: Hawaiian Tribe (The Conservative Voice 8/28)
OHA big money on media (Pacific Business News 8/28)
Obstacles loom for Akaka bill debate (The Honolulu Bulleti 8/28)
Akaka Bill Debate Continues This Week (The Hawaii Reporter 8/28)

Senate Republican Policy Paper:
Why Congress Must Reject Race-Based Government for Native Hawaiians (June 2005)

School Admission Policy Decision:
Doe v. Kamehameha Schools (August 2, 2005)

Rice v. Cayetano Election Rights Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion | Concurrence Dissent (Stevens) | Dissent (Ginsburg)

Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill:
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 (S.147)

Relevant Links:
Kamehameha Schools - http://www.ksbe.edu
Native Hawaiian Sovereignty Site - http://www.hawaii-nation.org
Native Hawaiian Federal Recognition Site - http://www.nativehawaiians.com

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