Hawaiians Unite

"A ia hoi, nani ka maika'i a me ka oluolu, O ka noho lokahi pu ana o na hoahanau!" "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Stop the sale of ceded (crown) lands - rally on Monday, 11/24, 11:30am at State Capitol

Aloha kakou,

Please read the following notice regarding a rally THIS Monday, November 24, 11:30am at the Hawai'i State Capitol Rotunda. This lawsuit has been flying below the radar for months now, but was unfortunately recently accepted on appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Make no mistake, an adverse ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court could cripple reconciliation efforts, severely diminish Native Hawaiian rights, and lead to the further dismantling of programs intended to restore Native Hawaiians in our homeland.

At the center of this lawsuit is the State's practice (which began in the 1990's) of selling off the 1.2 million acres of ceded crown and Hawaiian Kingdom lands taken over by the U.S. at annexation and now held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawiians. It doesn't take an attorney or a rocket scientist to understand that Native Hawaiians will not benefit from any further taking of our 'aina. And make no mistake, the State of Hawai'i's appeal is part of a larger pattern of ongoing court challenges intended to dismantle programs which serve Native Hawaiians.

Hawai'i courts have already deemed the State's sale of ceded lands as unlawful; hence, the State's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This case will be heard next year unless the State of Hawai'i withdraws its petition. Now is the time to get the word out that this case must be withdrawn by Governor Lingle. As trustee of these lands on behalf of Native Hawaiians, the State is in violation of its duty in pursuing this appeal.

And now is the time to unite as kanaka maoli in Hawai'i and beyond in pule (prayer) that no further damage will be done to Hawai'i's aboriginal inhabitants through such ill-intended and ill-informed legal attacks.

Even if you no longer live in the islands, please still circulate this to your 'ohana and friends back home.

Blessings of Ke Akua,
Noelani Jai
www.HawaiiansUnite.com


Kupu'āina Coalition
Action Alert: Contact:
Friday, November 14, 2008 *Derek Kauanoe: 489-5316
*D. Kahōkū Price: daprice@hawaii.edu
*Jocelyn M. Doane: kupuaina@gmail.com
*www.kupuaina.com, www.stopsellingcededlands.com

JOIN us at a Rally Demanding that Governor Lingle RESPECT NATIVE HAWAIIAN RIGHTS and WITHDRAW the Unnecessary Appeal of the Ceded Lands Case to the U.S. Supreme Court

WHAT: In Commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the 1993 Apology Resolution – Native Hawaiians Rally and Call on Lingle to Withdraw the Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court.

WHEN: Monday, November 24th at 11:30 AM

WHERE: State Capitol Rotunda

WHO: You, your 'ohana, and friends in RED shirts.

WHY:
Inform the public of the magnitude of this case and the THREAT IT POSES TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN JUSTICE/RIGHTS.

This could prove to be the MOST DAMAGING case on Hawaiian Rights EVER. An adverse ruling could cripple reconciliation efforts, severely diminish Native Hawaiian rights, and lay the foundation for dismantling Native Hawaiian programs.

This is a NON-DIVISIVE issue – a U.S. Supreme Court decision has negative implications for our entire community and EVERY Hawaiian.

The U.S. Supreme Court could misinterpret and reduce the significance of the Apology Resolution, which recognizes the illegality of the overthrow and supports Native Hawaiian rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court has the potential to adversely impact the way the people of Hawai'i deal with issues on a local level. Unlike the State Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court does not know Hawai'i's history and will not be affected by the resolution of local issues.

Governor Lingle's action is wholly inconsistent with her previous support of Native Hawaiians. She must be urged to WITHDRAW this appeal IMMEDIATELY!

Kupu'āina Coalition: 'Ahahui o Hawai'i Law Student Org, Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies-- Jocelyn Leialoha M-Doane, J.D., FellowKa Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian LawWilliam S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at ManoaCellular: (808)381-3852Email: jocelynmdoane@gmail.com