HONOLULU (AP) – A new poll finds continued support in Hawaii for establish of a governing entity for Native Hawaiians.

The Advertiser Hawaii Poll says 66 percent of 604 Oahu registered voters surveyed support Native Hawaiians being “recognized by Congress and the federal government as a distinct group, similar to the special recognition given to American Indians and Alaskan Natives.”

The poll conducted April 23-28 by Ward Research Inc. has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

A similar poll in 2000 showed 73 percent in favor of federal recognition. Support dipped in 2006 to 63 percent.

Recognition could come through the Akaka bill. It was passed by the U.S. House in February and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.

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Information from: The Honolulu Advertiser,
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com