Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie ‘76, members of her ʻohana, Dean Avi Soifer, left, Ka Huli Ao faculty members, Legal Fellows, and WSRSL staff members in the House Chamber

On February 12, the Hawaiʻi Legislature honored Ka Huli Ao Founding Director Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie ’76 in a Resolution commending “her strong commitment to the betterment of our society and advancement of the Native Hawaiian community” and recognizing “her career in advocating for Native Hawaiian issues.”

At the recognition ceremony in the Senate Chamber, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole ’13 spoke of Melody’s advocacy for Native Hawaiians that began with organizing attorneys to represent those charged with trespass on Kahoʻolawe in the mid-1970s to her work as a staff attorney and then executive director at the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and then to her multiple accomplishments since she became the founding director of The Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, later renamed Ka Huli Ao.

In a parallel ceremony in the House Chamber, Rep. Scot Matayoshi ’13 detailed Melody’s work in establishing Ka Huli Ao and spoke about its ongoing success in providing courses on Native Hawaiian legal issues, producing 117 graduates with Certificates in Native Hawaiian Law. He also praised Melody’s remarkable scholarly contributions and her leadership in the community.

The Resolution was sponsored by the Native Hawaiian caucus, led by Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole and Rep. Daniel Holt.