Walter Echo-Hawk talks about the Native American Legal Experience

click image to enlarge
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.

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

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

Click on image below to enlarge.


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.

Ka Huli Ao Digital Archives - Revolutionizing archived information

Keith Johnston, a 2008 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, has been leading the charge in developing Ka Huli Aoʻs digital archives project. Keith is the Post-Juris Doctor Archives Fellow. Click here to read Keithʻs Ka Huli Ao profile.

At a recent staff meeting, Keith Johnston and his assistant Raymond Wang unveiled the current status of the Ka Huli Ao digital archives database. Raymond has been essential to this project working countless hours to help move this project along.

Now, you can catch a glimpse of what will be available in the future to help with archived research. You can click on the images to enlarge.

Below is a screen shot of what the home page of the online digital archive currently looks like.


The screen shot below shows a search attempt to find the session laws of 1853.



This next screen shot shows the results of the search terms 1853 and session laws.


This digital archives projects has some other great features as well. When you click on "BROWSE," youʻre taken to a menu of the Archives Collection which includes categories from the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi era through the State of Hawaiʻi.


For this next screen shot I clicked on Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, then I clicked on another link that took me to another category (Legislature). Then I was taken to what you see below, which allows me to see digitally archived documents of the Hawaiian Kingdomʻs Legislative Council, House of Nobles, House of Representatives, and the Legislative Assembly.



Looking at the part of the database that provides me access on documents from the House of Nobles, I clicked on "Translation of the Journal of the House of Nobles..." Which took me to that translated document.


The feature that I really like can be found by looking at the bottom left corner of the above image, where it reads, "Image Navigator." Iʻll explain further.

Keep in mind that Hawaiian Kingdom era documents are not electronic documents, but rather paper documents with no electronic versions from the same era. Scanning those documents only produces images or pictures of those documents. Unlike a word processing document, you cannot do a search for any particular word within that image. Keith and Ray employed the optical character recognition process (OCR) to turn these scanned images into word search-able documents. The OCRʻd version of an image is what weʻre seeing above. Now, sometimes, the OCR process may produce a few typos. As a researcher, you may wonder about the accuracy of the document youʻre now looking at. Keith and Ray address this issue by providing access to the actual image or picture. So, looking at the image above, in particular the "Image Navigator" part, I clicked on the corresponding page number, "3" to access the image.

As a result, you can see below that I got full access to the actual translated document page before it went through the OCR process.


Weʻre excited about this development that will revolutionize state archive research. Weʻll post future updates here. If you would like to be added to our newsletter e-mail list, please send us a request at nhlawctr@hawaii.edu

Importance & Vulnerability of Palila and Mamane as cultural resources

Check out our latest podcast featuring third-year law student Kauʻi Yamane. In this podcast, Kauʻi discusses the importance of the Palila (Hawaiian honeycreeper) and Mamane (a native plant) as cultural resources. In her podcast, Kauʻi talks about:

• the philosophy and importance of the Palila and Mamane to cultural resources,
• recovery plans, and
• current management efforts,
.

We hope you will share your thoughts.

Traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights - a podcast

Check out our latest podcast below by third-year law student Trisha Nishimoto. In this podcast, Ms. Nishimoto analyzes, "whether Hawaii law will permit native Hawaiian access and gathering rights to extend to the hunting of animals, such as goat and pigs, on private property." In this podcast, Trisha reviews relevant state statutes and case law. Also in the podcast, Nishimoto briefly discusses "the complicated and unanswered question of whether otherwise valid, traditional, and customary native Hawaiian rights become invalid because its method is modernized."

Feel free to share your thoughts below.

Maoli Thursday Video: True Sovereignty? The Akaka Bill and Its Implications

On Thursday, September 3, 2009, Ka Huli Ao held its first Maoli Thursday event of the 2009-10 academic year. The topic was the Akaka Bill also known as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Below is a video of three panelists discussing the Akaka Bill: Dr. Lynette Cruz, Robin Danner, Esther Kiaʻāina. (click here for bios on panelist).

True Sovereignty? The Akaka Bill and Its Implications

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!!!!

CLICK HERE
to see actual announcement







Ka Huli Ao
Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian
Law
Post-J.D. Research Fellowships in
Native Hawaiian Law
Ka Huli Ao Post-J.D. Research Fellowship Program in Native Hawaiian Law provides stipends to recent law graduates to support research, scholarship, teaching, and/or other research-related projects that impact Native Hawaiian Law or that fill a need in the Native Hawaiian community. The goal of the Research Fellowship is to advance knowledge, scholarship, or learning in Native Hawaiian Law.

Depending on available funding, up to six Research Fellowships will be awarded. Fellows will receive a stipend of $50,000, paid out over a one-year period beginning in August 2009.

For more details on eligibility and requirements CLICK HERE

Featuring Bill Meheula

Bill Meheula is a Honolulu attorney who grew up Mō‘ili‘ili and Kalihi Valley. Bill Meheula recently served as an attorney in the United States Supreme Court case, Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Bill talks about the Obama administration and how that affects the future of the Native Hawaiian community and the "ceded" lands.



As part of our community outreach, for the past several weeks, we provided a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers shared their experiences either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people had to say.

Federal Indian Law class offered.

Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law is offering Law 520G - Federal Indian Law. The course will be taught by Hawai'i attorney and Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Carl Christensen.

The Federal Indian Law (Law 520G) course examines constitutional constraints on the federal government's recognition of native groups in relation to pending legal challenges to benefits for Native Hawaiians and reviews recent developments and possible future trends in federal Indian law affecting Native Hawaiians.

The class allows enrolled students an opportunity to learn a very complex and unique area of law and the relevance of federal Indian law to Hawai'i. Only a limited number of Hawai'i attorneys have experience in federal Indian law and Prof. Carl Christensen is one of the few.

A fundamental understanding of federal Indian law, largely through the Federal Indian Law course, has been attributed to the William S. Richardson School of Law's Native American Moot Court Team's success in the past several years. For three straight years in a row, Hawaiʻi's Native American Moot Court team reached the final round of the National Native American Law Students Associationʻs annual moot court competition. CLICK HERE to read about this yearʻs win.

In 2007, returning Native American Moot Court team members wrote a commentary, in the Honolulu Advertiser, on the Akaka Bill and federal Indian law. CLICK HERE to read commentary.

From Azusa, California to Manoa

Ann Kanoelehua Otteman a third year law student and a finalist in this year's National Native American Law Students Association's moot court competition talks about the need for Native Hawaiian attorneys and law students. Ann took Second Place with her partner Jesse Smith. CLICK HERE for Honolulu Advertiser article. Find out what Ann had to say in the video below.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

From rural Kaua'i, to law school, to Earth Justice, and back to law school

In March 2007, Prof. Kapua Sproat was featured on the cover of Hawai‘i Business Magazine as among 25 People for the Next 25 Years; Hawai‘i's Bright People and Bright Future. Watch the video below to find out where Prof. Kapua Sproat is from, what she does in the legal profession, and what she says Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law does.

As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

From the state legislature to law school

This week we're featuring a young Troy Andrade. Before coming to law school, Troy worked at the Hawai&$8216i legislature. Below, Troy describes his desire to learn about legal issues and the relevance of those issues to Native Hawaiians. He has suggestions for aspiring law school applicants. Find out what he says by watching the video below.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

Lahela Hite. Are Native Hawaiians under-represented at the law school?

Are native Hawaiians under-represented in the legal community? Find out what Native Hawaiian law student Lahela Hite says about that in the video below. Lahela is involved with the ‘Ahahui o Hawai‘i at the law school in addition to the school's award-winning Native American Moot Court team.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

From ethnic studies to law school, a discussion with Li'ula Nakama

Li‘ula Nakama sat down with us and shared what influenced her decision to come to law school and the value of a legal education. Watch the video below to see what she had to say.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

Another practicing attorney featured

Moses Kalei Nahonoapi‘ilani Haia III is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and a staff attorney with the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. In 2007, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin recognized Moses as among "10 Who Made A Difference." CLICK HERE to read the article.

Find out what Moses Haia says about the future of Native Hawaiian culture and the law by watching the video below.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

3rd year law students featured today.

Nāpali Souza is from Kailua, O‘ahu and currently lives in Palolo. In the video clip below, Nāpali briefly talks about empowering the Native Hawaiian community through legal education. Find out what he says by watching the video.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

Malia from Maui

This week we feature, Malia Gibson from the island of Maui. Malia graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Hawaiian Studies from the Kamakakūolani Center for Hawaiian Studies. Malia worked at the Hawai‘i legislature for a while and later applied to and enrolled in law school. Watch the video below to hear what Malia's manaāo is on going to law school and what she recommends to potential law school applicants.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

From Hawai'i island.

This week, we're featuring someone from Kā‘ū. The last name will definitely sound familiar to many. At any rate, check out the video below to find out what this country boy has to say and what he wants to be for his community.




As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.

A law student who comes from Hilo

This week we are featuring Sherilyn Tavares from Hilo, Hawai‘i. Sherilyn tells us what high school she graduated from, why she decided to attend high school and provides some insight. Find out more about Sherilyn in our video below.



As part of our community outreach, for the next several weeks, we are providing a series of video clips of law students (and a few lawyers) on our blog. These law students and lawyers share their experience either in law school or in the legal profession.

We invite you to watch these brief video clips and hear what these inspirational people have to say.