OHA statement on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh

STATEMENT OF OHA CHAIR COLETTE MACHADO ON U.S. SUPREME COURT NOMINEE BRETT KAVANAUGH

HONOLULU (Sept. 12, 2018) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) joins U.S Senator Mazie Hirono in calling the nation’s attention to Judge Kavanaugh’s extreme positions on Native peoples in general and Native Hawaiians in particular. The record now reflects that Judge Kavanaugh holds long-standing views about Native Hawaiians that mirror positions taken by organizations whose goals include stripping Native peoples and nations of their dignity as sovereign entities within the United States, contrary to settled United States policies towards Native Americans. Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated a low level of knowledge about the history of Native Hawaiians and their pre-existing sovereignty well before western contact. His nomination is alarming to all American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians.

UPDATE: Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court was scheduled for a vote by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Sept. 13. However, on Sept. 13, 2018, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11 to 10 to re-schedule the vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation.  This meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am (EDT) on September 20, with a vote on Kavanaugh scheduled for 1:45 pm (EDT) that afternoon.  The full Senate vote on his confirmation is expected the following week.