A bill in the U.S. Senate would create a government for Native Hawaiians if passed, but opponents say it would balkanize the nation. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii, says the bill would put Native Hawaiians on equal footing with Native Americans and Alaskan Native tribes. It also would address old grievances that have existed since the overthrow of the Hawaiian government in 1893, Akaka says. Opponents say it would establish a sovereign government based on race.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jun/07/br/br07p.html