{"argument_date":"2009-02-25T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2009-02-25T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","paragraphs":["Hawaii's attorney argued the apology resolution was a simple apology and did not repeal prior laws.","The Office of Hawaiian Affairs attorney argued three federal laws give the state absolute title to the lands.","Justice Ginsburg asked why the Court needs to decide the issue if the resolution has no substantive effect.","Justice Alito asked if the legislature could impose a moratorium on land transfers to promote reconciliation."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 49-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-33"}]}],"caption":"Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:26.546945Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Hawaii argues the apology resolution did not change land ownership rules. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs argues it created a federal duty to protect Native Hawaiian interests.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2009-02-25T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/07-1372.html","primary_docket":"07-1372","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T02:33:08.979994Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The dispute centers on whether a 1993 congressional apology resolution created a federal obligation. Hawaii claims the resolution did not alter state land rights. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs claims the resolution protects Native Hawaiian interests in ceded lands."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 25, 2009."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Hawaii wants the Court to confirm the state can sell its public lands.","The Office of Hawaiian Affairs wants the Court to protect Native Hawaiian interests in those lands."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Hawaii argues the apology resolution did not create a federal obligation to stop land sales.","The Office of Hawaiian Affairs argues the resolution creates a federal duty to protect Native Hawaiian interests."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Stevens asked if the proposition settles whether opponents have an equitable interest in the lands.","Justice Souter noted the Hawaii Supreme Court did not say the resolution created a federal obligation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 49-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-33"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines if a congressional apology can restrict state control over public lands. It defines the scope of federal obligations regarding Native Hawaiian land claims. It clarifies the legal effect of symbolic congressional resolutions on property rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 49-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-33"}]}],"slug":"2008-07-1372-hawaii-v-office-of-hawaiian-affairs","term":"2008","title":"Does a 1993 apology resolution stop Hawaii from selling public lands?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 29-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 29-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 31-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 31-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-1372.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-9"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}