HONOLULU -- A Native Hawaiian group voiced its opposition against the Hawaiian recognition bill before Congress Thursday at an Office of Hawaiian Affairs board meeting.

The Native Hawaii Recognition Act, nicknamed the Akaka Bill, after U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, would give Native Hawaiians the same federal recognition as Native Americans and Native Alaskans.

The group known as Hui Pu said it wants OHA to sponsor hearings immediately to air all points of view on the Akaka Bill. Hui Pu feels opposition to the Akaka bill has been silenced by OHA's spending of thousands of dollars of state money to publicize only support for the Akaka Bill.

"There are many voices out there and there is only a one-sided story that is being told right now and its not pono (good)," said Andre Perez, of Hui Pu. "We reject the Akaka bill because we refuse to sell our ourselves, our keiki (children) our aina (land) and our resources."

"Others can have their opinions, but we believe the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees have unanimously supported the passage and we are staying the course," OHA Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said.