Hearings, updates,

LESS THAN 24 HOURS ARE LEFT.

There is less than 24 hours left for us to submit testimony to the State House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs. As we mentioned in our blog, the State House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs and the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, will be holding hearings on "ceded" lands moratorium bills THIS WEDNESDAY.
House Committee hearing is at 9 am in conference room 329; House Bills 1667 and 1805.
Senate Committee hearing is at 2:45 pm Conference Room 229; Senate Bill 1085.
It is important that our elected legislators hear from you in written form. Testimony can be submitted online by going to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony/ or clicking here.
- Written testimony for House Bills 1667 and 1805 must be submitted by 9 am TUESDAY, February 3, 2009.
- Written testimony for Senate Bill 1085 must be submitted by 2:45 pm TUESDAY, February 3, 2009.
Testimony should be written in a civil tone and with a respectful manner.

PRESENCE AT THE HEARINGS IS IMPORTANT!

We need your presence at the hearings. If you're unable to submit testimony by the deadline(s), your presence at the hearings are still important. Your Support is greatly appreciated and will be felt by the generations yet to come.

KUPU‘ĀINA COALITION IN ACTION

Coalition organizers presented information and statements to members of the Legislative Hawaiian Caucus regarding the "ceded" lands issue and the moratorium laws being introduced this session. Representative Mele Carroll's office also sent out a News Release.

This past Saturday, Coalition organizers went to Windward Mall in Kane‘ohe to help concerned residents express to their elected legislators their wish to have their own lawmakers support a moratorium on the sale of "ceded" lands until the unrelinquished claims of Native Hawaiians are resolved. We're continuing to get more postcards signed.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT CEDED LANDS
Submit testimony online on regarding House Bills 1667 and 1805 in addition to Senate Bill 1085.
Identify 10-15 family members, friends, neighbors and/or co-workers who support protecting the ceded lands and let us know by e-mail (kupuaina@gmail.com). We will happily send you postcards to have them fill out.
Stay updated by following or subscribing to our blog and visiting our website stopsellingcededlands.com often
Spread the word by forwarding our e-mails to family, friends, neighbors, etc., so that they can learn more too.

IMPORTANT UPDATES TO OUR WEBSITE

We have updated the "background page" of our website. You can now read what legal arguments of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the individual plaintiffs are. In addition, you can read the several "friend-of-the-court" briefs (amicus briefs) that have been submitted in support of protecting the "ceded" lands.

Don't forget to watch our live-streaming webcast today at 5:30 pm on our website, www.stopsellingcededlands.com. If you have a question you would like to have answered, send your question to kupuaina@gmail.com.