"Ceded" Lands Case Debate at Law School hosted by Federalist Society

We couldn't resist letting you know about an event that is happening today. An organization (often recognized as a conservative organization) at the law school known as the Federalist Society is hosting a debate on the "ceded" lands case at 12:45pm. The Federalist Society, despite being a law student organization, is not affiliated with the Kupu‘āina Coalition or ‘Ahahui o Hawai‘i (the Hawaiian law student organization). Attached is the flyer distributed by the Federalist Society. Participating in the debate is Ilya Shapiro and Honolulu attorney and law professor Carl Christensen.

The Kupu‘āina Coalition supports the Hawai'i Supreme Court's landmark January 31, 2008 ruling that placed a moratorium on the sale of ceded lands until the unrelinquished claims of Native Hawaiians are resolved. Our organization has also been active in the effort to have a moratorium passed by the Hawai'i legislature that would protect Hawaiian claims. We believe it is important for the Hawaiian community, and the general Hawaii community to witness for themselves what institutions exist that fiercely oppose Native Hawaiian programs and seek the demise of those programs and Native Hawaiian rights and claims.

We are up against more than just the "Grassroot Institute of Hawaii" or the "Pacific Legal Foundation." In our effort to show our supporters who some of the people and institutions are that seek to actively work against us, we will be live-streaming today's event from our website, www.stopsellingcededlands.com. However, we want you to know, that we are in complete disagreement with Ilya Shapiro and we want everyone to know that despite the fact that a law student (or two) have organized tomorrow's event, their views on the issue neither reflects the views of Kupu‘āina nor do their views (if any) discourage Kupu‘āina from proceeding with our efforts to protect the ceded lands. It may also be important for people to know that Kupu‘āina and Ahahui o Hawai'i were not consulted in anyway before this event was scheduled. We had no input for the decision making or determining who would be speaking/debating today.

While our views are in disagreement with Illya Shapiro, we are confident that this debate will show our community and our supporters what we are up against. We are streaming this event not because we agree with it, (we DO NOT AGREE with the anti-Hawaiian views that will be expressed in it) but we consider it useful just for the simple purpose of knowing our opponents. The event is scheduled to start at 12:45 pm today.