Senators silent on next strategy for Akaka bill

By Frank Oliveri
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Hawai'i senators must find another way to seek consideration of Native Hawaiian recognition, after the Senate gave up yesterday on the bill intended to be the vehicle for the issue.

As the clock ticks on this legislative session, there are few ways for the Akaka bill to be heard. The bill would create a framework for a Native Hawaiian governing authority to negotiate with the federal government.

"There are options, but I'm not prepared to say what they are," said Paul Cardus, a spokesman for Sen. Daniel Akaka.

The Senate voted yesterday against an effort to shear off all nongermane amendments to a bill that would rewrite the rules on class-action lawsuits. The vote was 44-43 for wiping out nongermane amendments, far short of the 60 votes required to do so.

Sens. Akaka and Dan Inouye attempted to add their amendment to the pending bill, but their efforts were thwarted when Republicans and Democrats clashed over the process by which the bill would be handled. As a result of the vote, the class-action bill will no longer be considered because of time constraints.

A series of spending bills are pending before the Senate, which could also be used as vehicles for the Akaka bill. Inouye could play a significant role in attaching Native Hawaiian recognition to any appropriations bill because of his seniority on the Senate Appropriations Committee. But the Hawai'i delegation would not reveal its strategy.