International Law Routes to Hawaiian Sovereignty

Watch our live-streaming event with Scholar-Activist Julian Aguon today at 11:45.
(if we experience technical difficulties, the video will be made available online soon after)

Watch live streaming video from kahuliao at livestream.com

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Public Land Development Corporation Livestreamed Discussion

See below to watch the livestream of our lunch discussion on the Public Land Development Corporation at 12 noon.

Watch live streaming video from kahuliao at livestream.com

See our event flyer by CLICKING HERE.

Act 55: Hawaii's Public Trust Lands?

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Join us for Maoli Thursday! RSVP by sending an e-mail to nhlawctr@hawaii.edu or by visiting our Facebook event page by CLICKING HERE.

Walter Echo-Hawk talks about the Native American Legal Experience

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A lawyer, tribal judge, scholar and activist, Walter Echo-Hawk’s legal experience includes cases involving Native American religious freedom, prisoner rights, water rights, treaty rights, and repatriation rights. A staff attorney at the Native American Rights Fund for more than 35 years, Mr. Echo-Hawk was instrumental in securing passage of two federal laws that respect Indian and religious freedoms and the repatriation of Native American remains.
Mr. Echo-Hawk is a member of the Pawnee Nation. He received a political science degree from Oklahoma State University (1970) and his law degree from the University of New Mexico (1973). Mr. Echo-Hawk will also discuss his new book, In the Courts of the
Conqueror: The Ten Worst Indian Law Cases Ever Decided

CLICK HERE to go to our Facebook page for this event.

Native Hawaiian Ancestral Land: Where do we go from here?

Check out our live stream below. The discussion focuses on Native Hawaiian Land Issues with Davis Price a 2010 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and Stephanie Chen a 2010 graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law with a Native American Law certificate. Both are post-Juris Doctorate Fellowships with Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.

kahuliao on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Natasha Baldauf Interview on Hawaii Public Radio

Natasha Baldauf, a 2011 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa was interviewed by Beth-Ann Kozlovich of Hawai'i Public Radio. The segment aired on Monday, May 23, 2011 and you can listen to it by CLICKING HERE. Natasha's interview begins at 8:42 (8 minutes and 42 seconds) into the radio show.

Natasha is one of 15 Hawaii law students who graduated this year with a Native Hawaiian Law Certificate. Natasha is also the author of One-Way Track to Desecration: Implications of the Honolulu Rail's Failure to Comply with Protections Mandated for Native Hawaiian Burials, a comment published in Volume 12, Issue 1 of the Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal.

OHA and Ka Huli Ao Partner to Empower Native Hawaiian Communities

OHA AND KA HULI AO PARTNER TO EMPOWER NATIVE HAWAIIANS

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15 Native Hawaiian Law Certificates Awarded

The William S. Richardson School of Law graduated 15 law students with the Native Hawaiian Law Certificate. Last year 7 law students graduated with this distinction.

The 15 awardees are diverse and composed of both Native Hawaiian and non-Native Hawaiian students: Natasha Baldauf, Amy Brinker, Elena Bryant, Maria Carmichael, Amanda Donlin, Mark Jensen, Ha‘aheo Kaho‘ohalahala, Ryan Kanaka‘ole, Sarah Kaopuiki, Kekoa Keiley, Christopher Leong, Ann Otteman, Jeannin-Melissa Russo, Sherilyn Tavares, and Alexa Zen.

Students contributed to both the community and the law school in several ways:
Baldauf and Kaho'ohalahala conducted community presentations for Hawai'i's rural and farming communities regarding water law with law professor Kapua Sproat. During these presentations, Ka Huli Ao's water primer was also distributed to attendees.

Brinker has been recognized as spear-heading the legislative effort to "legalize pa'i'ai" and for founding indigenizethelaw.com by successfully advocating for passage of Senate Bill 101. SB 101 now waits for Governor Abercrombie's approval. Click here to read a Civil Beat article on the topic.

Donlin interned at Kahea: the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance and the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. These two organizations are public-interest law firms in Hawai'i.

Zen volunteered on the Leona Kalima case against the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. You can read a 2009 Honolulu Advertiser article on this case by CLICKING HERE.

Law students pursuing the Native Hawaiian Law Certificate enroll in a variety of classes. To see a list of courses, CLICK HERE. Course descriptions can be read by CLICKING HERE.

The new graduates' employment plans include: working for the Hawai'i judiciary, private firms, the military (Judge Advocate General), the federal government, and non-profits.

The annual spring commencement of the William S. Richardson School of Law awarded 15 students with Native Hawaiian Law Certificates on Sunday, May 15, 2011.

Established with federal funding in 2005 at the William S. Richardson School of Law, Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian is an academic center that promotes education, scholarship, community outreach and collaboration on issues of law, culture and justice for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific and Indigenous peoples. Law Professor Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie serves as the Director of Ka Huli Ao, and is also among the Law School’s first graduates.

Law School Admission Preparation Program

Ka Huli Ao's Law School Admissions Preparation Program is the focus of an article in the May 2011 edition of Ka Wai Ola.
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CLICK HERE to read the May 2011 edition of Ka Wai Ola.

Law Students Featured in Ka Wai Ola

Third year law students at the William S. Richardson school of Law, Keani Alapa and Maxwell Kaanohi Kopper were the focus of an article in the April 2011 edition of Ka Wai Ola, the monthly newsletter of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. CLICK HERE to download the newsletter. The article is on Page 11.

Know someone interested in law school?

We are preparing for our summer program in Honolulu. Here's what you need to know.

The application for our program is due by May 20, 2011. Applications submitted by mail must be postmarked by May 19, 2011. You can download an application by going to http://bit.ly/KHAapp If this e-mail was forwarded to you, then be sure to go to http://bit.ly/LSATinfo and sign-up/subscribe to our e-mail list.

The application process also includes a mandatory diagnostic test. The diagnostic test is scheduled for 9:00 am on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the William S. Richardson School of Law (2515 Dole Street).

Admitted applicants must attend an information session scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 5:30pm at the law school.

The classes will begin in late July. Specific dates are still being confirmed with the instructor. Generally however, classes are conducted on one fixed weeknight per week from 6pm-9pm. Normally the fixed weeknight has been either a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. We also conduct practice tests and discussions on Saturdays from 9am until 1pm. All classes are mandatory for admitted students.

If you have any questions, e-mail us at nhlawctr@hawaii.edu

Mahina Tuteur, Leila Kaaekuahiwi, Janelle Etelagi and Lezlie Kiaha enrolled in our program last summer. All four were admitted into the William S. Richardson School of Law for this fall. Here's what they had to say:

My experience with the Ka Huli Ao LSAT Prep class was just amazing. Not only did I improve my score by 10 points, but I also formed friendships with a few future classmates too. Liam and Derek are wonderful teachers and mentors; they really motivate you to keep studying! - Mahina Tuteur (admitted for Fall 2011)

As a recently admitted student to the William Richardson School of Law I attribute a lot of my success and knowledge of the application process to Ka Huli Ao's prep course. The course will give you a lot of insight into the application process as well as individualized help with personal statements, letters of reccomendation, etc. Ka Huli Ao prep course was an amazing opportunity and without it I would have had a much harder time getting into the William Richardson School of Law. - Leila Kaaekuahiwi (admitted for Fall 2011)

The Ka Huli Ao LSAT Prep Program really helped me keep things in perspective. You have an opportunity to study with a group of people that you can collaborate with; therefore, it provides a great support system. The program also provides real practice tests that will help you improve, and you'll have several opportunities to discuss and develop your law school application package (i.e., statements) in its entirety through the assistance and encouragement of its knowledgeable coordinators. - Janelle Etelagi (admitted for Fall 2011)

Ka Huli Ao's LSAT prep brought me closer to realizing a dream! The facilitators, panelists, and participants were (and continue to be) incredibly supportive, and their constant involvement in the application process was exceptional. I'm so grateful to have been a part of it all. - Lezlie Kiaha (admitted for Fall 2011 evening program)

Livestream of Re-Imagining Education: Emerging Strategies for Hawai'i's Schools

Thank you for joining us. Our April 7, Maoli Thursday discussion, Re-Imagining Education: Emerging Strategies for Hawai'i's Schools was filmed live and is available online for viewing. All you have to do is simply click on the play button on the viewer below.

Watch live streaming video from kahuliao at livestream.com

Re-Imagining Education: Emerging Strategies for Hawai'i's Schools

Our last Maoli Thursday for the academic year is April 7, 2011.

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RSVP by April 5, 2011 at 5pm by sending an e-mail to nhlawctr@hawaii.edu

Professor Matsuda recently wrote about education in the Value of Hawai'i: Knowing the Past, Shaping the Future. CLICK HERE to read an excerpt.

Moot Court Team covered in local media

The William S. Richardson School of Law's Native American Moot Court Team is being reported on by various Hawaii media outlets.


Hawai'i Public Radio interviewed Jeannin Russo and the audio file of that radio show is available by CLICKING HERE or going to http://hawaiiconversation.org/audio/TC_030311.mp3.

KHON2 News also reported on the team. CLICK HERE to read news story.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser also has brief write-up. CLICK HERE for Star-Advertiser piece.

The Star-Advertiser's Dave Reardon wrote, "Alapa lays down the law." CLICK HERE to read.

A New Restriction on Native Hawaiian Rights?

Sometimes we may experience technical difficulties. If for some reason we are unable to stream live, we will record and re-broadcast the event immediately. Try to watch the livestream.com viewer first. If that does not work, try the Ustream viewer below. You will need to click on the viewer to watch the stream.

UH Law Students Win Top Awards at Columbia University Moot Court Competition

University of Hawai‘i law students will bring home coveted awards from a national competition held at Columbia University Law School on February 25 and 26.

• Second year law student Elika Stimpson won 3rd Place in the Best Oralist category.


• Third year Law students Keani Alapa and Maxwell Kopper won 1st Place in the Best Advocate (formerly Best Overall) category.

Another third year law student duo composed of Jeannin Russo and Mark Jensen argued in the semi-final (“final four”) round; the UH law school represented one-half of the top four teams at the competition.

The competitionʻs elimination rounds began at 9am on February 26 with the top 16 teams. The William S. Richardson School of Law had four teams participating representing one-quarter of the top 16 teams.

Bill Meheula, a Honolulu attorney who accompanied the team said, “All our students were awesome, everyone did very well.” The University of Hawaiʻi team is composed of 11 students: Keani Alapa, Maria Carmichael, Tyler Gomes, Mark Jensen, Sarah Kaopuiki, Maxwell Kopper, Ana Won Pat-Borja, Adam Roversi, Jeannin Russo, Elika Stimpson, and Sherilyn Tavares.

The National Native American Law Students Association has sponsored this competition since 1993. The William S. Richardson School of Law first participated in the competition in 1994. Between 1997 and 2011, the law school has earned a total of 23 awards in this competition.

State v. Pratt - A Native Hawaiian Rights Case

We will livestream the discussion live on this blog on Thursday.

To learn more about the State v. Pratt case, check out Ben Lowenthal's blog post by CLICKING HERE.

Rare Panel of Judges

Last night Richardson law students had an opportunity to argue in front of a rare panel of judges: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Richard Clifton, Federal District Court Judge David Ezra, and Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Before oral arguments began Judge Ezra announced to the moot court team and the audience that "This is the first time in the history of Hawaii that you have three of the highest ranking judges on the same panel: the Ninth Circuit, the federal district court, and the Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice."

Climate Change Panel

Watch the discussion panel live!

Watch live streaming video from kahuliao at livestream.com

Law Students Argue in Front of Justice Alito & Judge Clifton

On January 27th, 2011, law students from the William S. Richardson School of Law's Native American Moot Court team made oral arguments before U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Richard Clifton.

In this photo, third year law student Maxwell Kaanohi Kopper represented Judge Chippewa and the Rabbit River Tribe with his co-counsel Keani Alapa. Maxwell described arguing in front of Justice Alito as an event he'll "never forget."


Pictured above from left to right are Maxwell Kopper, Keani Alapa, Justice Samuel Alito, Judge Richard Clifton, Jeannin Russo, and Mark Jensen.

Justice Alito and Judge Clifton also took a photo with the Hawaii Native American Law Students Association chapter.

Summer Job Opportunities in Native Hawaiian Law

Watch our panel discussion below.