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NHLC Welcomes its Huʻeaʻo Summer Class of 2025
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation welcomes its 2025 Summer Students! NHLC’s Huʻeaʻo experiential learning program welcomes undergraduate, law, and other graduate students throughout the year. Most are with NHLC during the summer. NHLC’s program is a unique opportunity for students to learn in an Indigenous-lead, Indigenous rights legal ...
Foreclosure Halts Permitting Process for Controversial Punaluʻu Resort Development Community
HILO, Hawai‘i- The future of Punaluʻu, one of the most biologically rich and culturally revered places in Kaʻū, is now uncertain, but a proposed resort development that threatened its integrity may be off the table for good. A Hawai‘i circuit court has approved an order of foreclosure against developer Black ...
BLNR Rejects U.S. Army’s FEIS Required to Renew Lease for Continued Bombing of Pōhakuloa
On Friday, May 9th, in a powerful defense of Hawai‘i’s environment, cultural heritage, Hawaiian rights and public lands, the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to reject the U.S. Army’s final environmental impact statement for its proposed “retention” of up to 22,750 acres of state-owned land it ...
My ʻohana lost our home & the title is in the name of deceased family members. How can we update the title, so we can access loans to rebuild?
By Liʻulā Christensen, NHLC Senior Staff Attorney When multiple family members own undivided interests or shares in a single property, that property is generally considered “heirs’ property.” Sometimes title is still in the name of a deceased relative because the property has passed down, sometimes even across multiple generations, ...
Ola I Ka Wai: Hawaiʻi Water Law
Water is a resource held in trust for the people of Hawaiʻi. The public trust doctrine prioritizes Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices and the health of free-flowing streams and coastal life over private commercial uses. Despite this and other constitutional protections, water has historically been mismanaged and private ...
How can I obtain government records about a project that affects my community?
By Ashley K. Obrey, Esq. NHLC Senior Staff Attorney Access to public records is essential to holding government officials accountable and protecting the interests of the public, including those related to ʻāina and traditional and customary practices. Obtaining information about a government action undoubtedly puts you in a better ...
