JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Wiliiam Meheula
Partner in the Law Firm of Winer, Meheula & Devens LLP


LAWSUIT TO STOP THE STATE FROM SELLING CEDED LANDS

In 1994, Bill Meheula represented Pia Aluli, Jon Osorio, Charles Kaaiai and Keoki Kiili in a case to stop the State from selling 500 acres of ceded lands in Lahaina to C. Brewer. Mr. Meheula persuaded OHA to also sue the State to stop this sale. In January 2008, the Hawaii Supreme Court granted the injunction in favor of OHA and Mr. Meheula’s clients.

The decision held:“We hold that the Apology Resolution and related state legislation, give rise to the State's fiduciary duty to preserve the corpus of the public lands trust, specifically, the ceded lands, until such time as the unrelinquished claims of the native Hawaiians have been resolved.” The State appealed the decision and oral argument before the United States Supreme Court was heard on February 25, 2009. A decision is expected in the next three months. Mr. Meheula will discuss the case, and the Native Hawaiians’ claim to the ceded lands—the lands illegally taken from the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and transferred to the United States in 1898.

Friday, March 20th, 2009

*Please Note that this meeting will be held on a Friday in comparison to our usual meetings on Thursdays. Mahalo.

11:30 – Registration and networking
Noon – Lunch and Presentation

Pacific Club

Members: $20.00 per person
Non-members: $25.00 per per person

Seating is limited. Reservations will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Space may not be available for late registrants.

RSVP: Pauline Worsham at 808.497.4084 or pauline@pmwconsult.com
Please mail checks to NHCC, P.O. Box 597, Honolulu, Hawaii 96809

Please reply by Wednesday, March 18.