Bill giving Hawaiians Native American status falters in Senate

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US Senate rejected long-stalled legislation to give Native Hawaiians the same federal recognition and self-governance already granted to other US indigenous groups.

The Native Hawaiian Recognition bill introduced by Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka -- the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate -- was opposed by some lawmakers who fear it would be "discriminatory" to Hawaiian citizens not of Native ancestry.

The bill, which needed 60 votes to advance during a procedural vote, garnered only 56 votes Thursday.

Akaka said Wednesday, as the bill was introduced, that passage would serve to "unite the people of Hawaii" and "deal with unresolved issues and unhealed wounds."

"At the heart of it, this bill is about fairness and about...