Sovereignty challenges (1997–1999) In the late 1990s, Rachel Lahela Kekoa Bolt, a native Hawaiian heir of Henry Maui, and some of her descendants filed federal lawsuits claiming her inherited interest in Palmyra and challenging the legality of the Newlands Resolution that annexed Hawaii. The lawsuits challenged American sovereignty over both the State of Hawaii and the United States Territory of Palmyra Island. On similar grounds, they intervened in a federal marine salvage claim for a sunken treasure ship at Palmyra. The cases were dismissed on procedural grounds before trial.
Sovereignty challenges (1997–1999) In the late 1990s Rachel Lahela Kekoa Bolt a native Hawaiian heir of Henry Maui and some of her descendants filed federal lawsuits claiming her inherited interest in Palmyra and challenging the legality of the Newlands Resolution that annexed Hawaii The lawsuits challenged American sovereignty over both the State of Hawaii and the United States Territory of Palmyra Island On similar grounds they intervened in a federal marine salvage claim for a sunken treasure ship at Palmyra The cases were dismissed on procedural grounds before trial