Part of Akaka bill wins final passage in D.C.

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jan/23/ln/ln04a.html

Native Hawaiians concerned about nurturing U.S. support for Hawaiian programs are taking heart after the passage yesterday of legislation to create a federal office for maintaining those ties.

The creation of the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations is also the first part of the long-stalled "Akaka bill" — albeit the least controversial element — to head for the president's signature.

"I look upon this as an important step in passing the later bill," said U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, referring to the measure bearing his name that would give Native Hawaiians federal recognition as a political body. "It'll give (the Akaka bill) a higher profile in the Congress and help with educating people about the bill."