The committee approved the measure today on a voice vote and sent it on for a vote by the full Senate, according to Mike Yuen, press secretary to Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai'i. It would give Native Hawaiians the same rights of self-government enjoyed by American Indians and Native Alaskans.

The committee amended the bill to make clear that Native Hawaiians will not be eligible for federal programs and services made available to American Indians, said Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, who introduced the bill. He said he and Inouye joined with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the committee chairman, in offering the amendment.

The amendment addresses concerns raised by McCain and others, Yuen said.

"Native Hawaiians already have federal programs addressing matters including health, education, and housing which are separately authorized and appropriated," Akaka said.

He said he is pleased that the committee voted for the fourth time to favorably report the bill, which is commonly known as the Akaka bill.

"We have a challenging road ahead of us as we prepare for a debate and roll call vote on the Senate floor," Akaka said. No date has been set for the vote.

"I believe this bill is important to everyone in Hawai'i because it provides the structured process we need to begin to resolve the longstanding issues resulting from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i," Akaka said. "This bill will help us to resolve these issues and move forward as a state."

Akaka is optimistic that he has the votes to win Senate approval for the bill, according to Donalyn Dela Cruz, his press secretary.

Inouye issued a statement saying he is "extremely gratified" that the committee approved the bill and sent it to the full Senate.

"This legislation is of vital importance to the state of Hawai'i as it reaffirms that Native Hawaiians are both citizens of the state of Hawai'i and of the United States, and, like other indigenous native people of America, have their own distinct status under the law," Inouye said.

"I am pleased that the committee has shown its understanding and sensitivity in supporting this bill that allows Native Hawaiians to seek self-determination and the right to self-governance as federal policies have recognized for the last 35 years," he said.

The legislation would formally recognize the country's 400,000 Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people and set up a process under which a Native Hawaiian governing entity could negotiate with federal and state governments over land, resources and other assets.