Linda Lingle says,”rather the issue (of this appeal to the Supreme Court over the issue of ceded lands) involves the fundamental question of whether the State of Hawaii has clear title to the land transfered to us by the federal government at the time of Statehood.”
For the State of Hawaii’s appeal as well as the Amicus briefs filed by supporting states, see here: http://statehoodhawaii.org/wp/index.php/2008/10/02/the-koa-haole-rebellion/
The following is from the OHA website
On Jan. 22, 2009, as scheduled, attorneys for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs filed their brief No. 07-1372 with the U.S. Supreme Court in the STATE OF HAWAII, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS, ET AL. case over the sale and transfer of ceded lands.
- Download a PDF of the brief here (pdf 200kb)
Amicus Briefs in support of OHA
Many have filed Amicus Briefs in support of OHA. Download PDF files:
- Asian American Justice Center,
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development Inc.
Organization of Chinese Americans Inc.
Asian Law Caucus
Asian American Institute
Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Asian Pacific American Legal Centers
- Hawai’i Congressional Delegation
- Equal Justice Society
Japanese American Citizens League
- Current and Former Hawaii State Officials
- Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa
- Native Hawaiians:
Samuel L. Kealoha Jr.
Virgil Emmitt Day Jr.
Patrick Kahawaiolaa
Josiah L. Hoohuli
Mel Hoomanawanui
- National Congress of American Indians
- Yale Law School for:
Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly
Na ‘A’ahuhiwa
Native Hawaiian Bar Association
Hui Kako’o ‘Aina Ho’o Pulapula
‘Ahahui o Hawai’i
- Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation
Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
Hawai’i Maoli
Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce
‘Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
I Mua Group
State House and Senate legislation
- Senate Bill 1085 (html)
- Senate Bill 1085 Status (pdf 116 kb)
- House Bill 1805 Status (pdf 5.9 kb)
- House Bill 1841 Status (pdf 4.9)
- OHA Legislative Package Bill (pdf 112 kb)
strange that this case should occur now during the 50th Anniversary of statehood. There is no clearer signifier of the question “what are the benefits and disadvantages of statehood,” than this Supreme Court appeal.
If the “benefit” of statehood is Obama, this case must surely qualify as the “disadvantage.”