"Ceded Lands" Case Update: More Amicus Briefs, Solicitor General Seeks Oral Argument Participation

Here's the latest developments in the "ceded lands" case, Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs, No. 07-1372 (cert. granted Oct. 1, 2008):

• The U.S. Solicitor General, whose predecessor filed an amicus brief supporting the State of Hawaii's arguments, has asked the Supreme Court to participate in oral argument and for divided argument, as noted here. The Court will hear oral arguments on February 25, 2009.

• The Honolulu Advertiser reports here that amici briefs have been filed supporting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Here are the briefs:

• Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc.
• Equal Justice Society and Japanese American Citizens League
• Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa
• National Congress of American Indians
• Hawaii Congressional Delegation
• Current and Former Hawaii State Officials
• Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Hawaii Maoli, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Ilioulaokalani Coalition, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and I Mua Group
• Asian American Justice Center, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, Inc., Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc., the Asian Law Caucus, the Asian American Institute, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center

The merits and other amici briefs in the case, and links to media reports and commentary are posted on our ceded lands page.