HONOLULU -- Members of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are preparing to leave for Washington for hearings on the Hawaiian Recognition Act bill next week.

OHA trustees will be leaving this weekend to watch the U.S. Senate vote on the legislation that will give federal recognition to Native Hawaiians as an indigenous group. The bill has been labeled the "Akaka Bill" after Sen. Daniel Akaka.

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Discuss Native Hawaiian Rights

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OHA Chair Haunani Apoliona noted there are a small number of vocal opponents to the bill. She remains cautiously optimistic.

"Even those who perhaps oppose the passage of legislation to reaffirm this legal and political relationship will come to a stage of enlightenment," Apoliona said.

She also said the Senate vote will be the most significant vote for Native Hawaiians since statehood.