Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 January 1984 — LAND WORTH MILLIONS AWARDED TO HAWAIIAN FAMILIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LAND WORTH MILLIONS AWARDED TO HAWAIIAN FAMILIES

OHA LAW FIRM Thwarts "Adverse Possession" ADDIT!ONAL HEIRS SOUGHT

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has achieved additional success in its eampaign to combat the taking of land from Hawaiians by "adverse possession." Under Hawaii's adverse possession laws, large landholders are able to obtain title to property they have used without challenge for a period of at least 20 years by bringing "quiet title" lawsuits. Two additional recent land settlements benefiting native Hawaiians have been approved by Maui Circuit Judge Kase Higa. The first involves an attempt by a private land owner to elaim title to 1 1.28 acres of land at Nahiku in the Hana district of Maui. The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation was able to secure title to the entire 1 1 .28 acres for its clients, 103 native Hawaiians. The settlement includes provision for purchasing approximately one-half acre of the property from the land owner at

a cost of about $9,000. The total value of the land is between $100,000 and $120,000. The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is a non-profit law firm, primarily funded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. In the second case, NHLC obtained for its clients title to a 2-acre parcel of kuleana land in Kahana, Maui. The property was being claimed by Maui Land and Pineapple Company. In this settlement, four NHLC clients were found to have valid claims to the disputed property. The parcel, worth an estimated $200,000, is located just makai of Honoapiilani Highway, fronting the Kahana resort and condominium development. OHA Chairman Joe Kealoha said "These latest settlements represent a continuing effort by OHA to prevent what we consider the legal theft of land from Hawaiians, who for various reasons, are unaware of their legal rights or

are unsure how to elaim them." Kealoha said OHA's funding of NHLC was initiated in 1981 by the Land Committee, then headed by OHA Vice Chairman Rod Burgess. Burgess revealed that NHLC currently is investigating three additional quiet title actions involving 121 acres of land. Burgess said he expects these cases either will be settled or taken to trial within the next nine months. Earlier last year, NHLC attorney Keoni Agard through out of court settlements, negotiated title to a total of 156 acres of disputed land for 84 native Hawaiian clients. One of these cases constitutes the largest land settlement agreement in the history of land title litigation in Hawaii. The property, 140 acres of land in Kahana Valley, Maui, is appraised at approximately 12 million dollars. Twenty of the 140 acres have been set aside for those individuals who have

not yet been made aware of their legal interest in the property. Under terms of the settlement, these descendants of the original owners have thirty months to file their claims. OHA and NHLC are trying to identify and contact additional heirs to the Kahana property. We are also trying to locate heirs to about 22 acres of land located in Honokohau Valley near Kapalua Maui. Heirs in the Honokohau case have three years to file claims. Individuals who last owned the parcels in Kahana, Maui are: Luukia Kalawaia aka Luukia Hali Kumu; Kalawali aka Kalawali Kalawaia; Hoalani Keahe; Kaahanui Liilii Waha; Uilama Kaukau. Individuals who last owned the parcels in Honokohau, Maui are: Hualii, other than T amar Meekapu; Kaahaku; Agnes Brown; Kupali, other than Kinai; Pahiaua; Kapunonoula and Elani; S.P. Luahine, other than Kauakahi heirs; Namakaokaia II, other than Kinai's heirs; Lahapa and Kuhua; Lopa; Kawika Kawahinekoa, other than Kekuewa, Malaea Kipela Kamoku Kekoa Kepano and Nakanaka; C. Kenui, Ekela and Kahanaumaikai; Kaui Sylva, other than Hattie K. Sylva; Kaumauma; Kamokuikai. Anyone who believes they have a legitimate elaim to the estate of any of the individuals listed above should contact the OfFice of Hawaiian Affairs claims receiver. The Honolulu telephone number is 548-8960.

Honokohau Valley, Maui. OHA seeking heirs to an additional 22 acres here.

Kahana Valley anā resort complex, Maui. More lanā settlements for Hawaiians.

Kahana Valley, MauL 140 acres worth 12 million dollars awarded to Hawaiian families.