Hawaii Kupuna Humanitarian Tribunal - Hawaii's First!

 
1. PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS
Hawai‘i Kupuna Humanitarian Tribunal – Community Information Series
Purpose: Equip the public with clarity, reassurance, and direct guidance as the Tribunal moves into full operational readiness.

Session Topics
Session 1 – Understanding the Tribunal
What the Tribunal is (and is not)
Why it was established
How it fits within OHS + HKC governance
How cases flow into and out of the Tribunal
Session 2 – Your Rights as a Hawaiian Subject
Protected Person status
Testimony rights
Cultural protection
Family and ʻohana support
Session 3 – How the Tribunal Handles Testimony
Case intake overview
Hearing process
Findings and recommendations
Confidentiality protections
Session 4 – What Kupuna Leadership Means
Cultural grounding
Decision-making process
Kupuna deliberation protocol
Guidance, kuleana, and pono-driven outcomes
Session 5 – Community Impact & Long-Term Vision
Accountability pathways
Documentation of harm
International filing readiness
Restorative resolutions
Delivery Options
Live Zoom sessions
In-person community halls
Recorded educational series
Public-access TV + radio PSA alignment
OHS website + hotline integration
 
2. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES & OUTREACH INITIATIVES
Educational Materials Produced
“What Is the Kupuna Tribunal?” explainer booklet
“Your Rights Under Humanitarian Protection” card
“How Hearings Work” one-page graphic
“Step-by-Step Case Submission Guide” brochure
“Kupuna Leadership & Cultural Protocol” resource sheet
“Protected Person Status Overview” infographic
Outreach Initiatives
A. Community Resource Hubs
Hosted inside:

libraries
Hawaiian organizations
schools
community centers
OHA/OHANA spaces
B. Youth & ʻOpio Awareness Workshops
Topics:

identity
civic lineage
cultural protection
testimony rights
C. Mobile Outreach Team
A field unit visiting:

houseless communities
rural districts
kupuna centers
shelters
Hawaiian Homestead communities
D. Monthly “Kupuna Talk Story” Forums
A safe venue for:

community concerns
direct kupuna guidance
informal submissions
pre-intake consultations
 
3. GUIDES FOR SUBMITTING CASES OR TESTIMONY
Hawai‘i Kupuna Humanitarian Tribunal – Case Submission Guide
Step 1 — Identify the Issue
Eligible submissions include:

cultural harm
land/resource disputes
humanitarian issues
violations toward Protected Persons
family/ʻohana impacts
systemic or institutional harm
Step 2 — Gather Basic Information
Prepare:

Name & contact
Any documentation
Timeline of events
Witness names
Cultural impact statement (if applicable)
Step 3 — Submit Your Case
You may submit via:

HKC website (form portal)
Email to Tribunal Clerk
In-person submission at OHS/HKC office
Kupuna community session
OHS field officer during outreach
Step 4 — Clerk Review & Intake
The Tribunal Clerk will:

Assign your case a docket number
Confirm completeness
Schedule hearing or kupuna review
Provide next steps
Step 5 — Hearing Participation
You may:

Provide testimony
Submit evidence
Bring a cultural supporter
Request confidentiality
Step 6 — Receive Determination
Findings will be:

Read aloud
Provided in writing
Submitted to OHS Legal Division (if needed)
Added to the Tribunal archive
 
4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY COLLABORATION & KUPUNA ENGAGEMENT
Kupuna-Led Pathways for Community Involvement
A. Cultural Advisory Circles
Community members can:

share insights
flag issues
provide cultural context
recommend areas of focus
B. Tribunal Support Volunteers
Roles include:

greeters
clerical support
cultural protocol assistants
hearing-day aides
C. Case Narrative Support Teams
Trained volunteers help families prepare:

testimony
timelines
documents
cultural statements
D. Kupuna Shadow Program
Emerging leaders observe:

hearings
kupuna deliberations
cultural protocol
humanitarian procedures
E. Community Data & Impact Network
A shared space for:

reporting trends
tracking issues
identifying systemic harm
preparing broader recommendations
 
TRIBUNAL PRIORITY STATEMENT
“As this Tribunal moves into operational mode, our priority remains steadfast: protecting our people and advancing a humanitarian-centered governance model grounded in pono.”
This guiding statement is the cornerstone of your public messaging — it reinforces your long-view, values-based approach and grounds the Tribunal in both cultural authority and humanitarian legitimacy.