Last updated · JUNE 20, 2026
Led by Board of Directors · Founded 2015
Convened a 2016 ʻaha to draft a governing document; halted by litigation. Naʻi Aupuni is a Native Hawaiian nonprofit incorporated in 2014 to facilitate a self-governance ʻaha (convention).
Naʻi Aupuni is a Native Hawaiian nonprofit incorporated in 2014 to facilitate a self-governance ʻaha (convention). It convened a four-week ʻaha in February 2016 that drafted a proposed governing document for a Native Hawaiian government.
Federal Recognition pathway. The 2016 ʻaha drafted a constitution providing for a Native Hawaiian government that could subsequently seek federal recognition, though delegates also debated full-independence alternatives.
Naʻi Aupuni is a Native Hawaiian nonprofit incorporated in 2014 to facilitate a self-governance ʻaha (convention). It convened a four-week ʻaha in February 2016 that drafted a proposed governing document for a Native Hawaiian government.
Federal Recognition pathway. The 2016 ʻaha drafted a constitution providing for a Native Hawaiian government that could subsequently seek federal recognition, though delegates also debated full-independence alternatives.
NO CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS — No charges, indictments, or convictions documented for this organization's leadership in connection with sovereignty activities or otherwise.
No documented criminal entries.
Justice Kennedy granted an emergency injunction on Dec 2, 2015 halting certification of the Naʻi Aupuni election. The full Court denied a stay of that injunction on Dec 15, 2015 (Thomas and Alito would have granted). Naʻi Aupuni responded by canceling the election and seating all 196 candidates as delegates — a procedural workaround that was never tested back at SCOTUS.
SCOTUS order (PDF)The ʻaha produced a draft constitution on Feb 26, 2016, but Naʻi Aupuni declined to hold a ratification vote, citing unresolved litigation. The document has no legal force and has not been adopted by any Native Hawaiian governing entity.
Four-week convention of 154 delegates produced a draft governing document; the document has never been ratified by the Native Hawaiian community.
On December 2, 2015, Justice Anthony Kennedy issued an emergency injunction (No. 15A551) halting the certification of Naʻi Aupuni election results. Plaintiffs challenged the race-based voter roll (Native Hawaiians only) as a Fifteenth Amendment violation under Rice v. Cayetano (2000).
After the injunction, Naʻi Aupuni canceled the election, declared all 196 candidates 'delegates,' and proceeded to the ʻaha without a community vote. Critics argued this circumvented the SCOTUS order.
The process was funded by approximately $2.6 million in grants from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, channeled through the Akamai Foundation.
1/10
Minimal portfolio: no documented international engagements, treaty record, or recognition by any foreign government or international body.
Naʻi Aupuni established under the leadership of Board of Directors.
Justice Kennedy granted an emergency injunction on Dec 2, 2015 halting certification of the Naʻi Aupuni election. The full Court denied a stay of that injunction on Dec 15, 2015 (Thomas and Alito would have granted). Naʻi Aupuni responded by canceling the election and seating all 196 candidates as delegates — a procedural workaround that was never tested back at SCOTUS.
On December 2, 2015, Justice Anthony Kennedy issued an emergency injunction (No. 15A551) halting the certification of Naʻi Aupuni election results. Plaintiffs challenged the race-based voter roll (Native Hawaiians only) as a Fifteenth Amendment violation under Rice v. Cayetano (2000).
Four-week convention of 154 delegates produced a draft governing document; the document has never been ratified by the Native Hawaiian community.
The ʻaha produced a draft constitution on Feb 26, 2016, but Naʻi Aupuni declined to hold a ratification vote, citing unresolved litigation. The document has no legal force and has not been adopted by any Native Hawaiian governing entity.
After the injunction, Naʻi Aupuni canceled the election, declared all 196 candidates 'delegates,' and proceeded to the ʻaha without a community vote. Critics argued this circumvented the SCOTUS order.
The process was funded by approximately $2.6 million in grants from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, channeled through the Akamai Foundation.
The group asserts representation of a defined Native Hawaiian constituency, with documented members, enrollment rolls, or residents.
No specific defined territory is asserted in the documented record.
The group exercises documented governmental functions (constitutional governance, elected leadership, or administrative functions). Effectiveness is contested by U.S. courts.
No documented diplomatic capacity or international engagement.
No criminal convictions or material controversies are documented against Naʻi Aupuni's leadership. The clean hands doctrine — which requires moral standing to pursue equitable relief in international forums — is satisfied.
| Metric | Naʻi Aupuni | Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi (top) |
|---|---|---|
| International | 1/10 | 9/10 |
| Legal | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Clean record | 6/10 | 10/10 |
| Overall | 3/10 | 9/10 |
Naʻi Aupuni was a 2015–2016 process funded by OHA to convene a Native Hawaiian constitutional convention. The underlying election was halted by a U.S. Supreme Court injunction in Akina v. Hawaii (Dec 2015) because only Native Hawaiians could vote — found to violate the 15th Amendment. The convention proceeded after Naʻi Aupuni converted the process to open delegate selection. A draft constitution was produced but never ratified.
CONCLUSION: Naʻi Aupuni was a real but procedurally compromised process. The SCOTUS injunction was a significant setback. The draft constitution it produced has no legal force and has not been ratified. It represents an honest attempt at self-determination within U.S. institutional constraints, but its outcome is inconclusive.
PublicationHonolulu Star-Advertiser·DateDec 2, 2015
Chicago"Supreme Court Halts Native Hawaiian Election." Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Dec 2, 2015.
Document in archive — see /documents
PublicationHonolulu Civil Beat·DateDec 15, 2015
Chicago"Naʻi Aupuni ends election, will seat all candidates as delegates." Honolulu Civil Beat, Dec 15, 2015. https://www.civilbeat.org/tag/nai-aupuni/.
External link — opens in new tab
PublicationHonolulu Civil Beat·DateFeb 2016
Chicago"Native Hawaiian convention moves forward despite court ruling." Honolulu Civil Beat, Feb 2016. https://www.civilbeat.org/tag/nai-aupuni/.
External link — opens in new tab
PublicationHonolulu Star-Advertiser·DateFeb 26, 2016
Chicago"Native Hawaiian ʻaha drafts constitution after four-week convention." Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Feb 26, 2016.
Document in archive — see /documents