NEWS FROM THE ‘AHAHUI O HAWAI‘I LAW STUDENT ORGANIZATION AND THE
NATIVE AMERICAN MOOT COURT TEAM
by
Derek Kauanoe, 3L‘Ahahui O Hawai‘i
The ‘Ahahui o Hawai‘i kicked off the 2007-08 academic year with a reception on August 13 to welcome first-year Native Hawaiian students to the Law School. At the event, incoming Native Hawaiian students, along with second- and third-year Native Hawaiian students met and mingled with a number of Native Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian attorneys and faculty working in the fields of environmental law and Native Hawaiian rights.
On Sunday, September 9, the Hui, in collaboration with the Environmental Law Society, embarked on a hike and clean-up effort at Kaniakapupu, the summer palace of Kamehameha III. Several members of the Native Hawaiian Bar Association also attended the event. Dr. Baron Ching greeted the large group in the morning, shared the history of the area surrounding Kaniakapupu, and pointed out artifacts, pre-existing structures and the area surrounding a formerly recognized heiau now overrun by several trees. Everyone in attendance assisted in an effort to clean the area.
The Hui is also involved in exciting outreach projects to Native Hawaiian students. We are currently developing a mentorship program in partnership with the Hawaiian language immersion school, Kula Kaiapuni o Anuenue, to commence in the Spring 2008 semester. We are also continuing our efforts to recruit more Native Hawaiians into the William S. Richardson School of Law.
For more information on the Hui, please visit our website: www2.hawaii.edu/~ahahui
Native American Moot Court Team
The Richardson School of Law’s Native American Moot Court team has 5 returning members: Moani Crowell; Scott Hovey Jr.; Derek Kauanoe; Greg Schlais and Anosh Yaqoob. The team welcomes new members Edward Hu, Ann Otteman, Rafael Renteria, Chris Santos, Terrence Thornburgh, and Richard Wallsgrove.
The teams will compete in the upcoming annual competition from February 21-23, 2008, at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. The annual competition is an event of the National Native American Law Students Association (“National NALSA”).
Native American Moot Court Team members have begun fundraising efforts to ensure their participation in National NALSA events this academic year. Richardson’s Native American Moot Court Team is looking for two types of support from the legal community: donations and practice judging.
To donate, please visit the U.H. Foundation website at https://www.uhf.hawaii.edu/give/giving-gift.aspx and designate your gift to the Native American Moot Court Team. Practice judging will take place in mid-January through mid-February 2008. Anyone interested in supporting the team can send an e-mail to uh.nalsa@gmail.com or by leaving a message for me at 956-8411.