Professors Kapua Sproat and Melody MacKenzie presented about the evolution of Native Hawaiian Law

On August 8th and 9th, Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law coordinated a two-day Native Hawaiian Law training for federal agencies and congressional staff members. The training was made possible with support from the Federal Office of Native Hawaiian Relations. Approximately 50 people were in attendance, representing agencies including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as several divisions of the U.S. Armed Forces.  

The training provided valuable background on subjects including ceded lands and the public land trust, traditional and customary rights, water and the public trust doctrine, laws relating to iwi kūpuna (Native Hawaiian burials), and the State of Hawaiʻi’s trust obligations to Native Hawaiians. The training, aimed at building positive relationships, offered a mix of plenary presentations, small group discussions, and panels. Participants were afforded a unique opportunity to examine the complex legal relationship between the federal government and Native Hawaiian people, and the training allowed for dialogue between agencies about their own relationships and engagements with Native Hawaiian communities.