by Jon M. Van Dyke

One of the Most Memorable Books of 2008, Honolulu Advertiser

"Definitive. Who Owns the Crown Lands of Hawai‘i? [is] certain to become the standard reference for that question." —The Nation

In this engrossing work, law professor Jon Van Dyke describes and analyzes in detail the complex cultural and legal history of Hawai`i’s Crown Lands. He argues that these lands must be examined as a separate entity and their unique status recognized. Government Lands were created to provide for the needs of the general population; Crown Lands were part of the personal domain of Kamehameha III and evolved into a resource designed to support the mō‘ī, who in turn supported the Native Hawaiian people. The question of who owns Hawai`i’s Crown Lands today is of singular importance for Native Hawaiians in their quest for recognition and sovereignty, and this volume has become a primary resource on a fundamental issue underlying Native Hawaiian birthrights.

The book won the 2009 Ka Palapala Po`okela Award of Excellence in three categories: Hawaiian Culture, Text or Reference Books, and Nonfiction. The awards are presented annually by Hawai`i Book Publishers Association www.hawaiibooks.org.

See the UH Press website for more information, including the table of contents and the introduction: http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/shopcore/978-0-8248-3211-7/

Available at/from your favorite bookseller or order from UH Press.

Tags: ceded lands, Crown Lands, hawaiian monarchy, hawaiian sovereignty, Kamehameha III, law, UH Press

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