Hawaii ruling could affect Land Trust

By Manny Cruz • July 24, 2008 Despite the complaints and legal challenges of our elected officials, I am afraid that the Chamorro Land Trust Act (CLTA) will suffer the same fate as that of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA) of 1920. Unless, of course, the U.S. Congress has its way in the legislative process. The CLTA is almost an exact replica of the HHCA. The Land Trust applies to people who became American citizens in 1950 as a result of the Organic Act of Guam, and it gives them the opportunity to lease land at $1 per year for 99 years. The land can be used for residences, agriculture or aquaculture, or for ranching. Approximately, 14,000 acres of local government land has been identified and set aside for such leases. Everyone knows, or must have heard, of what had happened to the HHCA in recent years. Recent court... [read full story]