Citing what it describes as more pressing matters to be addressed in the final days of the current session, the United States Congress will not vote on the proposed "Akaka bill" this year. The bill, which would recognize native Hawaiians as a political entity, similar to the status of Native American peoples, aims to prevent Hawaiian programs from being attacked as unconstitutionally race-based. Hawaiians are divided on the benefits of the proposed bill, with some concerned that they will become "wards" of the state should it pass.
