Struggle to push Akaka
Bill to vote continues

Akaka says the Senate leadership
is working to fulfill its agreement

WASHINGTON » Negotiations between Hawaii's Democratic senators and the Republican majority are expected to continue this weekend to maneuver a native Hawaiian sovereignty bill through a roadblock for a Senate vote next week.

Supporters predict that the so-called Akaka Bill, S. 147, has enough votes for passage, but some Republican senators have delayed putting it up for a vote.

ON ASSIGNMENT Star-Bulletin political reporter Richard Borreca is in Washington, D.C., to cover the Senate's actions on the Akaka Bill.

Yesterday, Sen. Daniel Akaka said he was able to discuss the issue with Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., majority leader, who promised last year to bring the bill to a floor vote by August.

Akaka said Frist "assured me he wants to meet their commitment to have the bill heard and will work on reaching an agreement this weekend."

"I am pleased that leadership wants to keep their commitment, and look forward to beginning debate," Akaka said.

In a statement issued by Bob Stevenson, Frist's communication director, Frist said he was working on the issue.

"The majority leader continues to work with colleagues to resolve outstanding issues regarding S. 147 ... for its timely consideration in the Senate," Stevenson said.

While those negotiations go on in the Senate, GOP Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday in Honolulu that she had received a letter from Republican Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole promising support for the Akaka Bill.

The Cole letter was also sent to the GOP House leaders, Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, asking for consideration of the bill.

"As conservatives we should allow the people of Hawaii to manage their affairs as they see fit. I urge you to allow the timely consideration of this important, historic and long-overdue piece of legislation," Cole wrote.

It was unclear how much influence Cole's letter would have with fellow Republicans.

The House version of the Akaka Bill, H.R. 309, is being heard in committee. It currently has only one Republican among its seven co-sponsors, Rep. Don Young of Alaska.

Lingle, who met earlier this week with Cole during her trip to Washington, said she is relying on Akaka and Inouye to move the Akaka Bill to the Senate floor.

"They know the procedures the Senate uses, and they've worked with these people for decades. Now is the time to call on all of their years of experience to move this to the floor while we continue to assist them in any way we can," Lingle said.

Akaka and Inouye are hoping to either get the bill scheduled for a vote next week or to force a vote by getting 60 Democrats and Republicans to move the bill to the floor.

On Thursday, Lingle said she was "cautiously optimistic" that the Senate version of the bill would still get debated and voted on before Congress adjourns next month for its month-long summer break.

"I see it in perspective of the past few years that we've been working on this -- this is as close as we've ever been in getting it voted on in the Senate," Lingle said.

RICHARD BORRECA / RBORRECA@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii's U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka greeted Trippi Penland, top, one of about 150 former Hawaii residents at last night's tailgate party at the Washington Nationals-Houston Astros game.

Akaka hosts Hawaii-style
tailgate for D.C. game

WASHINGTON » For former Hawaii residents, last night was a chance to eat rice, lomilomi and kalua pig at a tailgate party at ... RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Darlene Kehaulani Butts and Rowena Kuulei Freeman run Makakoa Enterprises, specializing in "island-style" catering in Washington and Maryland.

"Mostly we do luaus and weddings. There is a huge community of Hawaiians on the East Coast," Butts said.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and his staff coordinated the tailgate party for about 150 former Hawaii residents before the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball game at RFK Stadium yesterday.

Akaka, wearing a lei, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game against the Houston Astros. The Nationals lost 14 to 1.

ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals' game against the Houston Astros yesterday.

The game featured "Aloha Friday" promotions that helped to make it a near sellout.

One baseball fan selected at random won a five-day trip to Honolulu with a stay at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort.

Before the night game, fans were entertained by hula dancers and musicians from Halau Hoomau I ka Wai Ola O Hawaii, a halau based in Virginia. The event was sponsored by the Nationals, Expedia.com and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Tailgaters included Tom Penland, who graduated from Radford High School and is now president of the Hawaii State Society.

"We like to party and get together with other people from Hawaii. On Wednesday night we have ukulele lessons at my house, and in October we have a hoolaulea," Penland said.

"There are a lot of people from Hawaii because so many come here from the military or federal jobs," said Trippi Penland, who graduated from Punahou School.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Halau Hoomau I ka Wai Ola O Hawaii performed before the game at RFK Stadium.