The public will have two opportunities to hear experts whose views differ on the Akaka bill next week. Delayed telecasts of both forums are planned.

The Akaka bill provides a process for Native Hawaiians to seek federal recognition as a political entity. Named after lead author U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, the bill has been stalled by Republican senators who oppose it. A procedural vote on Sept. 6 will determine whether the bill will be debated on the Senate floor.

The forums, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hawai'i and the Hawai'i Institute for Public Affairs, will be Monday and Tuesday night.

Speaking in support of the Akaka bill at both forums will be state Attorney General Mark Bennett and former Hawai'i Supreme Court Justice Robert Klein, now a private attorney who serves as counsel to the board of trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Speaking against the bill both nights will be Bruce Fein, a Washington, D.C.-based constitutional attorney who is counsel to the Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i.

Also participating each night will be a representative of Native Hawaiian interests opposed to the bill. Kaleikoa Ka'eo, a spokesperson for the umbrella organization Hui Pu, will take part in the Monday forum while Anne Keala Kelly, a Native Hawaiian journalist and filmmaker, will participate Tuesday.

In other news, Akaka said yesterday that he doesn't support independence or secession of the state of Hawai'i from the United States, and that his Native Hawaiian recognition bill has nothing to do with independence or secession.

The bill addresses the legal and political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the United States within federal law, he said.

He issued a statement Thursday to clarify comments he made in a National Public Radio report on Tuesday. When asked about the outcome of the process authorized in his bill, Akaka said the outcome will be determined by future generations, including his children and grandchildren.

"My bill is criticized because it provides a process for the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity and the resolution of long-standing issues," Akaka said. "Opponents of the bill seek to predetermine the outcome of this process, whereas I believe the people of Hawai'i need to have the flexibility to address the long-standing issues resulting from the overthrow (of the Hawaiian monarchy).

"After the Native Hawaiian governing entity is recognized, these issues will be negotiated between the entity and the federal and state governments. This is an inclusive and democratic process that cannot be predetermined by those who seek to influence the outcome of the process before it's even started."