Real Estate & Property Law

Media Coverage of Supreme Court Ceded Lands Case Review

By Robert Thomas (inversecondemnation.com)

More on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to review Hawaii's "ceded lands" case, Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs, No. 07-1372 (cert. granted Oct. 1, 2008):

• The Honolulu Advertiser's report.

• The Star-Bulletin's report is here.

• Hawaii Attorney General's press release: "I am pleased that the United States Supreme Court has granted certiorari in this important case,? Attorney General Mark Bennett said.  ?We believe the Hawaii Supreme Court was incorrect in its holding that the Congress, in the Apology Resolution, barred the State of Hawaii from selling or transferring Ceded Lands, as the Congress had expressly granted Hawaii that right in the 1959 Hawaii Admission Act.  It is our hope that the United States Supreme Court will reverse the decision of the Hawaii Supreme Court.  Hawaii's Ceded Lands are held by the State for the benefit of all of Hawaii?s citizens, and for a number of purposes, including for the betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians.  We believe that prudent management of those lands for the benefit of all of Hawaii's citizens must include, on occasion, the right to sell or exchange land. We hope the United States Supreme Court will return that right to the State of Hawaii."

• The Court's order granting cert in this case and nine others is posted here.

Full post as published by inversecondemnation on October 01, 2008 (boomark / email).