Protesters plan to gather this morning against efforts by Hawai'i's two U.S. senators to insert the so-called Akaka bill into one of the federal appropriations bills up for vote this week, according to a spokesman for the Koani Foundation, which calls the effort a "sneak attack."

Sen. Daniel Inouye, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, is planning to insert the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 into the Defense Appropriations Bill or one of several others coming before Congress this week, according to 'Ehu Cardwell, spokesman for the Koani Foundation.

The effort would virtually guarantee passage of the Akaka bill through a "back door" tactic, Cardwell said.

Protesters will gather at 7 a.m. by the state Capitol.