Senator Daniel Akaka’s bill that would grant federal recognition to Native Hawaiians has passed the House—the 3rd time this type of bill has been approved by the House since 2000. In the past, the legislation has been killed in the Senate.
The bill would allow Native Hawaiians to create their own sovereign government and give them more say in how their ancestral lands are used.
There is hope that the bill will pass the Senate this time. For one, Obama is behind the bill. Also, it appears the Democrats have the 60 votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster.
Read the full Honolulu Advertiser article →
And please share your thoughts. Should this bill be passed. Do Native Hawaiians deserve the same treatment as Native Americans?