Opening Day at the Legislature

Today was a busy day at the legislature for the Kupu'aina coalition organizers. The place was crowded with a lot of different people trying to talk with every legislator and eating lunch.

I want to highlight some language from Colleen Hanabusa's speech. "As well, we know we must address the sense of betrayal that many in our Native Hawaiian community feel on the issue of ceded lands, and in particular the case now pending before the United States Supreme Court. We will not turn a deaf ear to these questions, as difficult as they may be. We have heard the call of the people and we must respond."

Colleen Hanabusa, if you didn't know, is the State Senate President. The text of her entire speech is available at http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090121/BREAKING01/90121051

It is encouraging to know that Colleen Hanabusa wants to address the ceded lands issue. Now, we have to focus on the State House of Representatives. It may be necessary to organize something at the capitol to let the House of Representatives know that this is a serious issue and that we want them to protect the ceded lands.

We just found out today that there is an important Hawaiian Caucus meeting happening tomorrow at the State Capitol in Room 423 at 4pm. The Hawaiian Caucus will explore the "ceded" lands issue by listening to three panelists, the Attorney General Mark Bennett, Attorney Sherry Broder, and Attorney Bill Meheula.

All three panelists are involved in the "ceded" lands litigation. Sherry Broder is the lead attorney representing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Bill Meheula represents the four individual plaintiffs and Mark Bennett represents the State of Hawai'i as the attorney general.

This caucus meeting is open to the public. The importance of this meeting is to provide information to the caucus members who are also legislators working at the capitol.

We encourage people to attend the caucus meeting which is scheduled to last 90 minutes.