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About 150 people met at the Centre for Hawaiian Studies on the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus (Honolulu) on the weekend to discuss plans for responding to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned a state law allowing only Hawaiians to vote in elections for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The meeting was convened by the Oahu Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Ilio Ulaokalani and Ka Lahui Hawaii.

The Supreme Court delivered its decision on the landmark case of Harold 'Freddy' Rice (a descendant of an early plantation-owning family) against the governor, Ben Cayetano, recently. Rice contended that the election of trustees for OHA by Hawaiians only was contrary to the principles of the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, especially in relation to the precepts regarding non-discrimination on the basis of race.

Governor Cayetano has since stated publicly that he will sack eight of the nine trustees and appoint replacements of his own choosing. Elections for trustees positions were already statutorily scheduled for November this year.

Cayetano's statements have been denounced by Hawaiians, resulting in a call by trustee Mililani Trask for a programme of civil disobedience.

Group leaders said they will stage a sleep-in on March 15, targetting the University of Hawaii board of regents, who plan to levy tuition increases, and to develop further the summit of Mauna Kea, where astronomical telescopes are located.

The Mauna Kea summit, on the island of Hawaii, is one of many lands taken by the federal government after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the annexation of Hawaii during the 1890s. Other ceded lands include airports and harbours, and are likely to be future sites of protest action.

Compensation to Hawaiians for the use of ceded lands by the state has been a contentious issue for years.

In the face of widespread public condemnation, the governor has since modified his stance, suggesting instead that he will now request clarification from the Supreme Court of current board trustees' status.