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Zoom testifier asserts Hawaiian Kingdom sovereignty during public comment
Summary
A Zoom testifier identifying himself as representing the 'Hawaiian Kingdom' told the committee the state and county lack jurisdiction over certain Crown lands and called the state "illegitimate;" committee recorded the comment but took no action on the claim.
During the public‑comment portion of the March 10, 2026 special committee meeting, a Zoom participant who identified himself as Dwight Vicente and said he was representing the "Hawaiian Kingdom" told the Policy Committee that the state and county land‑use authorities lack jurisdiction over Crown and government lands and urged recognition of historical documents and the kingdom's rights.
Vicente cited historical documents and argued that congressional actions and later state actions did not remove the Hawaiian Kingdom's authority over certain lands. He told the committee, according to the record, that the state of Hawaii is "illegitimate" and that county and state planning commissions therefore have no jurisdiction over the affected lands. The committee accepted the testimony for the record; no substantive staff response, legal determination or policy action followed during the meeting.
The committee’s discussion that followed focused on Bill 66 (draft 2) and procedural issues about maps and public input; the public comment was recorded in the meeting minutes but did not prompt committee action or a formal reply from counsel or staff during the session.
