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 Hawaiians across the U.S. gathered today in demonstration against the government sale of ceded lands.  The case will be heard by today by the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.  Several groups, including the `Ilio`ulaokalani Coalition, charter school students, and members of the UH Manoa `ohana, are holding a vigil at the Hawai`i State Capitol. 

The protest is in response to the Lingle Administration’s attempt to sell portions of roughly 1.2 million acres of ceded lands.  These are parcels of land owned by the Hawaiian monarchy at the time of the overthrow.  In 1959 the lands were placed in a public trust under the care of the State of Hawai`i.  There are five designated uses, chief among “for the betterment of conditions of native Hawaiians.”  The current case came about in 1994 when the state attempted to sell a portion of the land for the development of affordable housing. 

The land in question still belongs to the native Hawaiian people.  The state government is not an owner; it is a guardian of the land.  That being said they are not and should not be allowed to the ceded lands.  Native Hawaiian organizations, such as OHA, working with other associations, are the ones who should have the power to say how the land is used.  Members of the community, native Hawaiian peoples, should be able to make suggestions to OHA for proper use of the land.

I sincerely hope the decision goes favorably.  To lose this case could be a travesty in the native Hawaiian community.  The government and OHA should work together so native Hawaiians, not residents of Hawai`i but native Hawaiians, can improve there lives and look forward to a better future.