Hawaiian Native Title

Hawaiian Native Title, addresses the question: how is the ceded lands trust and the rights of the Native Hawaiian peoples in the trust perceived? Lindsey argues that the way this question is answered affects the fate of Native Hawaiian peoples. If the current paradigm of the State of Hawai'i as trustee and Native Hawaiians as wards is accepted, the status quo of mismanagement and distrust is maintained. If ceded lands continue to be perceived as a public trust, their purpose "for the betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians" may be frustrated by constitutional challenges. Moreover, the legitimacy of Native Hawaiian self-definition will be denied and the continuity of Hawaiian cultural rights and responsibilities will be shaped by others. If, however, trust is understood in terms of Hawaiian Native Title, it is removed from constitutional scrutiny, the protection and perpetuation of Hawaiian traditional and customary rights is promoted, and Native Hawaiian self-determination and sovereignty is facilitated. Lindsey concludes that reconceptualizing "ceded" lands in terms of Hawaiian Native Title provides the position necessary to structure justice on Native Hawaiian terms.