2024 Native Hawaiian Convention
Hiʻilei connected with her law school classmate Madelyn McKeague, the Advocacy Specialist with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA).
Staff Attorney Hiʻilei Casco represented PONO Legal at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention at Waikoloa from September 17-19th, 2024. The Convention provided a unique opportunity for PONO Legal to connect with like-minded Native Hawaiian organizations and learn from experts on topics that relate to our work.
Hiʻilei attended a session on the restoration of Mokuʻula presented by Keʻeaumoku Kapu and Kaipo Kekona of Na Aikane o Maui, Inc. They shared that Na Aikane provides 62 hazmat-trained cultural monitors working in the burn zone, and about the critical importance of food security and repatriation of ʻiwi for the area. Hiʻilei also learned about the Ho'ōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long-Term Recovery Group, a federally-mandated organization created after the fires whose function is to “close the gap” for homeowners by providing the financial assistance needed to rebuild after FEMA and other funding sources run out. Representatives of Ho'ōla iā Mauiakama shared that their goal is to ensure the cultural spaces continue to exist, which require the physical presence of the community.
Hiʻilei also attended sessions on the future of short term rentals, Native Hawaiian home-ownership, and water problems and policies in West Hawaiʻi. Some of her main takeaways from these sessions include:
A key phasing-out of short-term rentals comes down to the effective enforcement of the new regulations
"Perpetuate mo'olelo not pōhōlelo"
The importance of increasing financial literacy among Kanaka Maoli
Hiʻilei looks forward to attending similar events in the future and is grateful for all the old and new connections she made at this event. Aloha ʻāina!
