WASHINGTON -- The Akaka Bill is stalled in the U.S. Senate. Many supporters of the bill, which outlines a process for Native Hawaiians to set up their own government, had high hopes of it passing out of the Senate this week.

Sen. Daniel Akaka said more senators have placed holds on the Native Hawaiian Recognition Act, preventing the measure from being debated and voted on.

"The other side will not let us go forward with the bill," Akaka said.

He said there are now six senators holding up the legislation. He said some senators want language put into the bill that permanently bans gambling for a new Native Hawaiian government. It is something Akaka is unwilling to do.

There was a commitment made by Senate Republicans to have a vote on the bill before the senate recess in August, Akaka said. He also said that some senators are saying the bill is "not the right thing for Native Hawaiians."

"I resented that and I take it that feeling is there because they really don't know the Hawaiians," Akaka said.

Akaka said he will continue to talk with senators who have concerns. His hope is to hold the Senate leadership to its word and have the bill debated and voted on by next week.

The bill has been referred to as the "Akaka Bill" after Native Hawaiian Sen. Daniel Akaka. The bill is an attempt to set up a process for Native Hawaiians to form their own government.

To have a decision made one way or the other, Sen. Dan Inouye said he will file a cloture petition, which is a procedural vote to end debate and force a floor vote.

"That would put a monkey wrench in the whole operation. Can you imagine when the Supreme Court justice being considered and there's a little debate going on on the side of Hawaiian recognition," Inouye said.

If no progress is made this week, the cloture petition will be filed on Monday, Inouye said. That would force a vote by next week Friday.

"I still believe we have the votes that are needed, but we have to get it to the floor," Inouye said.