Native Hawaiian homelands lawsuit goes to trial
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Filed Under:
Law
|
Trust
A class action lawsuit that accuses the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of breach of trust finally goes to trial today.
The lawsuit, which was filed nearly 10 years ago, represents more than 2,700 Native Hawaiians who say the department has unfairly delayed leasing land to them. It is the first breach of trust case of its kind in the state, The Honolulu Advertiser reported.
"The primary claim that's being asserted is that these beneficiaries were not awarded homesteads promptly and efficiently as is required by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act," attorney Thomas Grande told the paper. "In some instances, they have waited 30, 35 years or more."
Congress created the lease program through the
Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.
Get the Story:
After almost 10 years, Hawaiian homelands suit set for trial today
(The Honolulu Advertiser 8/4)
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