In a meeting that echoed with the weight of history, a member of the Royal House of Hawaii, Bridal Pacheco, stood before the Maui County Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee, passionately defending the rights of native Hawaiians to their ancestral lands. The air was thick with the significance of his words as he asserted that any legislative attempts to alter land titles in Hawaii are not only flawed but potentially illegal.

Pacheco, identifying himself as an Olodio land tenant and heir of Heva Heva, emphasized the enduring nature of royal patent titles, which he claimed are rooted in the constitution established by Kamehameha III. He argued that these titles, granted during the Mahele, provide a framework that should govern land use and management, asserting that they supersede any modern attempts to create new land trusts or schemes.

His testimony highlighted a deep-seated concern for the mismanagement of land and the potential for massive evictions if current legislative efforts continue unchecked. Pacheco urged the committee to recognize the historical context and legal framework that empowers native Hawaiians to govern their lands sustainably and in a community-driven manner. He expressed a belief that those with ancestral ties to the land are best suited to make decisions about its future, advocating for a return to traditional stewardship.

As the meeting unfolded, it became clear that the discussions surrounding land rights in Hawaii are not merely bureaucratic; they are deeply intertwined with the identity and heritage of its people. Pacheco's passionate plea serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect for native Hawaiian rights, a struggle that continues to resonate in the halls of government and beyond. The implications of this meeting extend far beyond the immediate discussions, touching on the very essence of what it means to belong to the land in Hawaii.