Over the objections of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, the U.S. House passed a bill empowering native Hawaiians to create their own government that eventually would negotiate for control of hundreds of thousands of acres of Hawaii.

The House voted along party lines, 245-164, yesterday to start a process for native Hawaiians to be recognized in ways similar to Alaska natives and Indian tribes. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Republican opposition has kept it bottled up for almost 10 years.

Congress has been debating the measure since 2000, and the legislation has easily cleared the House only to stall in the Senate. In this congressional session, both House and Senate subcommittees have approved versions of the bill.

The bill was shepherded through by U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who is wrapping up a 20-year congressional career this week. In a sometimes emotional speech, Abercrombie said on the House floor, “;We have a president who truly understands the importance and fundamental equity of native Hawaiian self-determination.”;

President Barack Obama reaffirmed his support in a statement from Robert Gibbs, press secretary, saying the president plans to sign the bill.

If Lingle's opposition were not enough to split the Senate, other GOP members registered immediate opposition.

“;We should stand together in opposition to racially divisive and discriminatory laws like this. The native Hawaiian bill is unconstitutional,”; said Sen. Jim Demint, R-S.C. “;I will use all the tools available in the Senate to ensure that this bill does not become law.”;

Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander also issued a news release attacking the bill.

“;I'm disappointed that the House of Representatives passed legislation which the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights opposes because the bill would 'discriminate on the basis of race,'”; Alexander said.

Lingle, a strong Republican supporter of the original measure, pulled her support this week, saying the bill has changed and that the amendments will hurt Hawaii.

“;Under the current bill, the native Hawaiian governing entity has almost complete sovereign immunity from lawsuits, including from ordinary tort and contract lawsuits, and I do not believe this makes sense for the people of Hawaii,”; Lingle said. “;My decision to not support the current version of the Akaka Bill is done with a heavy heart because I so strongly believe in recognition for native Hawaiians.”;

Abercrombie talked with Lingle shortly before the floor vote yesterday and said they “;agreed to disagree”; on the changes made to the bill.

“;I was hoping that the governor would be for the bill but with reservations. ... The differences are a very fine point,”; Abercrombie said.

    Hawaii's congressional delegation pushes Akaka Bill

 

 

Congressional delegation rallied to get a new version of the Akaka Bill approved in the U.S. House

[ Watch ]

 

Also voting for the bill yesterday was U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who said Lingle's position was a disappointment.

“;I am asking her to reconsider,”; Hirono said after the vote.

Others are hoping that the GOP will not force the native Hawaiian bill into a party-line vote. U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka called it “;an important milestone for all the people of Hawaii.”;

“;Though the governor had some reservations, I am certain that the bill protects the interests of all the people in Hawaii. The bill passed today specifically says 'members of the native Hawaiian governing entity will continue to be subject to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of federal and state courts,'”; Akaka said.

The floor action also caught the attention of other Hawaii politicians such as Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who is campaigning to replace Abercrombie when he steps down to run for governor.

“;I have long supported federal recognition of native Hawaiians and will continue to do what I can both as Senate president and as a member of Hawaii's con- gressional delegation to move that forward,”; Hanabusa said.