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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Lingle lobbies McCain, Bush on Hawaiian bill

Associated Press

Gov. Linda Lingle met with Sen. John McCain at his Washington, D.C., office yesterday, the eve of a congressional hearing on a bill to grant federal recognition to Native Hawaiians, her office said.

McCain, R-Ariz., is chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs committee that has scheduled a hearing on the so-called Akaka bill for this morning.

McCain has said that although he opposes the Hawaiian recognition bill, he would not interfere with an agreement between Senate GOP leaders and Hawai'i Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye to allow a Senate vote on the bill this year.

Lingle, in Washington to attend National Governors Association events, said yesterday's meeting was positive and that she felt optimistic about today's hearing, her spokesman, Russell Pang, said.

Lingle was to testify at the hearing, along with state Attorney General Mark Bennett; Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and Micah Kane, director of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Lingle also spoke to President Bush about the measure Sunday night at a black-tie dinner for the governors at the White House. Lingle spent Sunday night at the White House in first daughter Jenna Bush's bedroom, and was to have stayed there again last night, Pang said.