Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 11, 1 November 2003 — Hearings set in Arakaki, Kamehameha suits [ARTICLE]

Hearings set in Arakaki, Kamehameha suits

Three hearings on lawsuits challenging the existence of OHA, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Kamehameha Schools' Hawaiianpreference admissions policy are scheduled for Nov. 17 and 18. On Nov. 17 at 9 a.m., U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway will consider whether the plaintiffs in the Amkaki v. Lingle case, whieh challenges the constitutionality of OHA and DHHL, ean force the federal government into the litigation. The two other hearings will be on separate lawsuits challenging Kamehameha SchooFs admissions policy, claiming it violates an 1866 civil rights law that was intended to remedy the effects of discrimination against former slaves. In the first hearing, on Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m., U.S. District Judge Alan Kay will hear arguments in a suit

brought on behalf of an unnamed non-Hawaiian plaintiff who was turned down by Kamehameha. The second case, whieh involves-seventh-grader Brayden MohieaCummings, whose acceptance to Kamehameha was rescinded when the school discovered that he was not of Native Hawaiian descent, will be heard by U.S. District Judge David Ezra on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. In both cases, motions for summary judgment have been filed, asking the judges to rule without having to go to trial. The 'īlio'ulaokalani Coalition, a Hawaiian political-action allianee, is planning a three-day series of demonstrations in connection with the hearings beginning Nov. 16 at 3:00 p.m. at Mauna 'Ala. For details, eall 8454652, or visit www.ilio.com. ■