Concerns over the language of the Akaka Bill continue to be worked out, but both of Hawaii's senators say they expect legislation granting federal recognition to native Hawaiians will be taken up by Congress shortly.

“;We'd like to finish it as soon as we can,”; U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye said Saturday. “;Because when all this comes along, let's face it, this is an election year and people are going to be busy elsewhere.”;

U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka, the chief sponsor of the bill, says he also hopes to tackle the matter in the coming weeks.

“;As you know, it passed the (Senate Indian Affairs) Committee, which was the first big step,”; Akaka said. “;And so the next step is to get it on the floor.”;

The legislation passed out of the committee last month with some changes that Akaka and other sponsors said were made to refine the bill and address legal concerns.

In the House, objections to the new bill prompted U.S. Rep. Neil Abercombie to shepherd the original version of the bill through the Natural Resources Committee.

Objections were raised by Gov. Linda Lingle's administration, which said it was unaware of the changes until the last minute and that it could not support the new version.

The legislation would create a process to set up a native Hawaiian government similar to those of American Indian tribal governments. Once created, the governing entity would negotiate with the state and federal governments over which assets it would own.

Lingle says the changes to the bill would severely hinder that negotiation process.

“;The change that was made in the bill was so dramatic—it said we don't need to have any discussions,”; Lingle said. “;This entity will be able to move forward and file lawsuits against the state.

“;Our version says it wouldn't impact zoning issues, taxation issues, those kinds of issues until, again, there was discussion, negotiations and agreement, and this just by-passed that whole process.”;

The senators say those concerns are being worked on.

“;There is a difference of opinion, but we're talking about that at this moment,”; Akaka said.

Inouye said discussions are continuing with his office, state Attorney General Mark Bennett, the Justice Department and other congressional offices.

“;We're trying to work out an arrangement whereby we can come up with a measure that everyone agrees upon,”; Inouye said.

President Barack Obama has previously said he supports federal recognition for native Hawaiians.