I am the sole caregiver for my moʻopuna. Does our hānai relationship give me legal rights? What legal process do we need?
By Angela Correa-Pei, NHLC Of Counsel Hānai – the traditional practice where someone other than the natural parents assumes kuleana for a child’s upbringing – is well-established in Hawaiian culture and common in kupuna–moʻopuna relationships. The ʻōlelo noʻeau “ʻIke aku, ʻike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai; pela iho ka nohona ʻohana” (Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped; such is family life) captures this spirit of mutual care. While hānai is recognized under Hawaiʻi law in some contexts, hānai mākua may need additional, formal legal status to fully meet the needs of the keiki. Three primary legal options allow ...
How does the FestPAC advance justice across Moananuiākea?
By Angela Correa-Pei, Of Counsel Attorney, NHLC As Hawaiʻi proudly hosted the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) in June, it was empowering to witness the celebration of Native Hawaiian culture and those of the 27 other participating nations – an exceptional collective of Indigenous peoples. A primary objective of the festival is “to promote cultural exchange and understanding among the participating nations.” Through this exchange, we not only gain a deeper appreciation for one another’s cultural practices and values, we are reminded of the challenges Pacific Island nations are facing from political struggles to the continued taking ...
