Hawaii Supreme Court orders dismissal of remaining ceded lands suitThe Hawai'i Supreme Court today ordered the dismissal of the claims of the final plaintiff in the ceded lands case, setting the stage for the end of 15 years of litigation.University of Hawai'i Hawaiian studies professor Jonothan Osorio, along with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and three other Native Hawaiians, had sued to keep the state from selling ceded lands until claims to the lands by Native Hawaiians were resolved.In March, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Hawai'i Supreme court erred by relying on the 1993 Congressional Apology Resolution as the legal basis for a moratorium. The case was sent back to the Hawai'i Supreme Court.OHA and three of the other four plaintiffs reached an agreement with the state, contained in provisions of Senate Bill 1677, in which the governor would be required to obtain a two-thirds approval of both houses of the state Legislature before being able to sell any of the 1.2 million acres of ceded lands.Osorio, the only plaintiff to reject the compromise, continued his legal fight to block the potential sales.The dismissal without prejudice will result ultimately result in the termination of the case by the Hawai'i Circuit Court.In a news release issued today, state Attorney General Mark Bennett said he was pleased with the court's ruling.
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of maoliworld to add comments!

Comments

  • Never give up! That what they want us to do. We, Kanaka Maoili will be homeless in the islands we are from.
  • Aloha ka kou

    I don't believe that this is an end. If the land is alienated, Jon Orsorio still has the ability to bring an injuctive action.

    I believe the court is saying the legislatures action may in fact create relief to the parties and if the question comes up he has standing.

    The did deny his right as a [native hawaiian ] beneficiary under the illegal admissions act and still pretend to own the Crown lands despite all the evidence to the contrary

    evidence= Kanaka maoli

    a hui hou kai
This reply was deleted.