The primary impediment to the passage of the Akaka Bill was a hold placed by Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona that prevented the bill from coming up for a vote in the Senate. Both senators from Hawaii believe that they have the votes necessary for the bill to pass. Following is an excerpt from a Press Release issued by Senator Akaka's Office on October 11, 2004:

"Pledges were made this afternoon on the Senate floor by Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Pete Domenici (R-NM) that the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act will be considered by the Senate for a debate and roll call vote no later than August 7, 2005. Letters from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Democratic Leader Thomas Daschle (D-SD) stated that best efforts would be made to ensure that the bill would be considered no later than August 7, 2005."