HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	25
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

HONORING AND COMMENDING MELODY KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE FOR BEING THE 2020 NATIVE HAWAIIAN CAUCUS OUTSTANDING KUPUNA.

WHEREAS, the State of Hawai‘i takes great pride in recognizing outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the betterment of our society, and who help to shape the lives of others through their ability to excel in their respective fields; and

WHEREAS, MELODY KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE is one of those individuals that epitomize “a great mind” and one of the most influential and respectable persons in the Hawaiian community; and

WHEREAS, MELODY KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE is a Professor of Law and Founding Director of Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law; and

WHEREAS, MELODY KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE’s inspiration for studying law started when she was in undergraduate school and joined a law firm called the Native American Rights Fund that represented Indian tribes across the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, while working there she headed their National Indian Law Library for two or three years and the work they did was the spark on her journey to where she is today; and

WHEREAS, MELODY KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE graduated from William S. Richardson School of Law in 1976 and in 1980 joined the staff of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, that protected and advanced the rights of Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, MELODY KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE helped establish and served as president of the Native Hawaiian Bar Association which is an association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals of Hawaiian ancestry that promotes excellence, unity, cooperation, education and the exchange of ideas among its members and in the larger community; and

WHEREAS, MELODIE KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE currently teaches Native Hawaiian Rights, Federal Indian Law, the Second Year Seminar legal writing course, and specific topics courses in Native Hawaiian Law; and

WHEREAS, MELODIE KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE also published works on every area of Native Hawaiian Law, included ceded lands, Hawaiian Homes, traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights, sovereignty, and the constitutionality of Native Hawaiian programs; and

WHEREAS, because of her extensive background, MELODIE KAPILIALOHA MACKENZIE has received numerous awards for her teaching, public service and leadership which includes the ‘Ahahui o Hawaii Award for Excellence, University of Hawaii’s Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching, Law School Outstanding Professor of the Year, YWCA Leadership Award, and the Hawaii Women Lawyers Lifetime Achievement Award; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawai’i, Regular Session of 2020, that this body hereby honors and commends MELODIE KAPILIALOA MACKENZIE as the 2020 Native Hawaiian Caucus Outstanding Kupuna and extends to her warmest aloha.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

MELODIE KAPLILIALOHA MACKENZIE; 2020 NATIVE HAWAIIAN CAUCUS OUTSTANDING KUPUNA