The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has mounted public-education campaigns about earlier incarnations of the bill, to be sure. But even with that, and the media coverage and various community forums held over the years, many residents have expressed the desire for renewed debate at home.

Missing voice

Members of Hawai'i's congressional delegation have said that residents already expressed their thoughts during initial hearings held on O'ahu. At the time, those who testified represented the spectrum of views from the Hawaiian community. Some praised the notion as an imperfect but necessary step to secure the constitutionality of Hawaiian-only programs; others maintained that only restoration of complete sovereignty would suffice. But a voice clearly missing from that encounter is that of non-Hawaiian residents.

That was almost five years ago, and despite the significant political barriers that remain, many believe the bill's prospects for passage have improved with bipartisan support from the state's leadership and new allies signing on in the Senate.

Congressional staffers say hearings at this point in the game would be a step backward. Yet it is difficult to move forward with so many unanswered questions.

Indeed, most D.C. lawmakers admittedly know little about the issue, which further underscores the need for substantive hearings here, attended by more than our own delegation.

Non-Hawaiians are taking a much greater interest in the bill. Many understandably wonder what effects they might feel should Hawaiians gain recognition as a political entity with a degree of self-governance.

Some worry that the bill leaves most specifics to be negotiated by Hawaiian, state and federal leaders. Others observe that, while many ideas would be technically possible under the bill, the political climate for radical change doesn't exist.

Keep it open