Congress has approved a bill authorizing a monument to 8,000 Hansen's disease patients exiled to Kalaupapa, Moloka'i between 1866 and 1969.

The measure was included in an omnibus public land management bill passed by the House today 285-140.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono's office says the legislation is now cleared for President Obama's signature.

The bill authorizes the construction of a memorial at Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

The bill doesn't appropriate any money for the project. Instead it says a support group for Hansen's disease patients will be responsible for raising money for the memorial.

The House approved a bill authorizing the monument last year, but its passage was held up as Congress dealt with the financial crisis.