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NHLC Assists Lawaiʻa ‘Ohana to Obtain Special Use Permit for Traditional Cultural Fishing in Honua‘ula, Maui
In 2024, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (“NHLC”) represented Mogul Luʻuwai and the Lu‘uwai ‘Ohana in the process of obtaining a Special Use Permit for the practice of their traditional cultural fishing in Honuaʻula, Maui. Mogul and the Luʻuwai ‘Ohana come from a long line of traditional Hawaiian lawaiʻa ...
After Injunction Against 2023 Midwifery Bill, NHLC Testifies on Possible Replacements
In the 2025 Hawaiʻi State legislative session, lawmakers introduced two bills in the House as potential replacements for the 2019 Midwifery Law (HRS §457J): HB 1194 and HB1328, both relating to midwives. Last year, a hui of legal organizations, including Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (“NHLC”), represented maternal caregivers ...
Hānai ma ke Kānāwai, Hānai and the law
Na Devin Kamealoha Forrest, NHLC Staff Attorney and Title & Research Specialist E like hoʻi me kā A. Keohokalole i wehewehe ai ma ka hihia ʻo In re Nakuapā (1872) penei; “He wā waiwai ʻole o nā ʻliʻi, a me nā makaʻāinana, ka wā kahiko. ʻO ke Aliʻi Mōʻī ...
Standing ʻOnipaʻa for Justice with Aloha
January 17, 2025 is the 132nd anniversary of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi government, an egregious injustice that the nation of Kānaka, the lāhui, continues to endure with steadfast love for culture, community, and place. Achieving justice and restoring pono in Hawaiʻi is a multi-generational and intergenerational ...
What is the kuleana of the Island Burial Councils to protect iwi kūpuna?
By Terina Fa‘agau, NHLC Staff Attorney To promote the “sensitive treatment of Hawaiian burial sites through cooperative and shared decision making with representatives of the Hawaiian community,” the Hawaiʻi State Legislature established the Island Burial Councils, under the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), to administer Hawaiʻi Revised ...
Kauaʻi County Planning Commission Finds in Favor of Kilauea Cultural Practitioners to Protect Nihokū
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (“NHLC”) recently represented client Nā Kiaʻi o Nihokū before the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission (the “Commission”) at its November 12, 2024 meeting. Nā Kiaʻi o Nihokū includes Jessica Kauʻi Fu, Mehana Vaughan, Hoku Cody, who were named intervenors in the case, as well ...
