Hawaii Senators Inouye and Akaka have secured a pledge by Senate majority and minority leaders that the so-called Akaka bill [PDF], which will begin the process for the recognization of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people, will be considered during the next Senate term.
The bill will need to be reintroduced in the new Congress that begins in January and reconsidered by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The House will also have to approve the bill. The Honolulu Advertiser has more.