Left to right, Jon Osorio, Mililani Trask and Ke'eaumoku Ka'iama

November 14, 2009 - Hilo, Hawaii
VIDEO by David Corrigan

How Hawaiian do you have to be to challenge the state's position on crown lands? That, along with the recent ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court that dismissed litigant Jon Osorio from the ceded lands case, was discussed at a UH-Hilo panel on Thursday night.

Osorio and his attorneys, Mililani Trask and Ke'eaumoku Ka'iama, argued against the state's contention that Osorio is of insufficient blood quanta (less than 50% Hawaiian) to have standing in the case. Jon's lawyers - who have joined in on the case only recently - also said Osorio was not properly represented during the first several years of the ceded lands litigation, and that OHA has been silent to Osorio's recent defense.

The state has settled with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the other litigants in the so called ceded lands case - which Osorio says is more properly referred to as "crown and government lands" since the "'Ceded lands' were NEVER legally 'ceded.'"

A two thirds majority vote in the state legislature is now needed to approve the sale of the lands in question, should the issue arise again. However, Osorio and his attorneys say they are concerned about land "exchanges" between the state and private industry, that have less government restriction.

Osorio spoke to the heart of the blood quanta issue that was raised in the most recent Hawaii Supreme Court decision during an eloquent speech made at the panel discussion.

The event was organized by Kale Gumapac and the Kanaka Council Moku O Keawe, Kanu O Ka Aina and Kaulele.