"Unfettered by concessions made to the Bush administration, the Akaka Bill - the original - should get the prompt approval of Congress and the signature of President Obama. Unlike the most recent version, the bill will provide long-delayed Hawaiian sovereignty on a level with American Indian tribes on the mainland.

Sen. Daniel Akaka first introduced the bill in 2000 and altered it in an attempt to satisfy President Bush by exempting the Defense Department from future land-use negotiations and denying Hawaiians the right to open gambling operations.

Still, it received unfounded opposition by Bush's Justice Department, which maintained that it would "divide people by their race." The weakened bill passed the House but was successfully filibustered by Senate Republicans in 2006 by a four-vote margin.

Since then, the Senate makeup has changed drastically, and the bill should have no problem attracting the 60 votes needed to bring a final vote to the floor. An even more comfortable margin is expected in the House."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Pass sovereignty bill restored to original (The Honolulu Star-Bulletin 2/8)

Another Story:
Lingle wants gambling ban in Akaka bill (AP 2/8)

Native Hawaiian Bill:
H.R.862 | S.381

Native Hawaiian recognition bill revived in Congress (2/5)