Two members of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission have filed a formal disagreement with the commission's recommendation that Congress turn down the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill.

San Francisco attorney Michael Yaki and Arlan Melendez, chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada, said they have "grave concerns" about the commission's stated opposition to the so-called Akaka Bill.

Yaki said the majority of the commissioners "don't understand native Hawaiian history, nor are aware that in Hawaii the multicultural residents of Hawaii routinely recognize the special indigenous status of native Hawaiians as the host of culture of the 50th state."

The Civil Rights Commission had said the bill would set up a race-based separate government for native Hawaiians, which was not acceptable under the U.S. Constitution.