Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law held a two-day Native Hawaiian Law Training via Zoom on January 11-12, 2021. 

Training coordinator U’ilani Tanigawa Lum ’19 reported: “With more than 150 registrants, the training focused on the trust obligations of state and county decision makers regarding Native Hawaiian natural and cultural resources. The training’s theme, ‘Hahai pono i ke ala kukui me ka huli ao,’ which translates as ‘pursue the path of enlightenment through justice,’ centered on kuleana and notions of justice. In addition, the training sought to transcend physical distance to build pilina, or connections, with the many attendees from across Hawaiʻi pae ʻāina. A lunchtime panel, “Towards Justice: He Kuleana Hawaiʻi,” focused on practical advice for uplifting cultural and historical knowledge. Post-J.D. Fellow Mahina Tuteur ’14 moderated the panel, which featured Lecturer-in-Law Jonathan Scheuer, Professor Rosie Alegado, and Michael Yee.

Opening speakers included OHA Board of Trustee Chair Carmen Hulu Lindsey, Hannah Kihalani Springer, and U.S. Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele. Professors Davianna McGregor, David M. Forman ’93, Kapua Sproat ’98, Professor Emerita Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie ’76, and attorney Natasha Baldauf ’11 gave presentations and answered questions on Hawaiian History, Native Hawaiian Traditional and Customary Practices, Water as a Public Trust, the Public Land Trust, and Iwi Kūpuna respectively.” 

Training Coordinators Uʻilani Tanigawa ’19 and Mahina Tuteur ’14 wrote: “We are so grateful for the many hands that helped to make our second virtual Native Hawaiian Law Training a success! A special mahalo to our presenters, speakers, and members of the ʻAhahui o Hawaiʻi” for their kōkua!”