Burgert
Burgert v. Lokelani Bernice Pauahi Bishop Trust
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Fletcher, J.
This appeal presents the question whether the Native Hawaiian Education *663 Act and the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act create implied private rights of action. The district court concluded that the acts do not create such rights of action and dismissed plaintiffs suit for failure to state a claim pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). We affirm.
Elizabeth S. Burgert and others initiated this class action against the Bishop Trust and individual named trustees on behalf of all Native Hawaiians. The complaint alleged misuse of federal funds by the trust in violation of federal law, as well as violations of state law arising out of the same factual allegations. The Bishop Trust is a charitable testamentary trust established by the last direct descendent of King Kamehameha I, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who left her property in trust for a school dedicated to the education and upbringing of Native Hawaiians. The district court entered judgment in favor of defendants, finding that the federal statutes do not create private rights of action and dismissing the state law claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1367 (c). Plaintiff Burgert timely appealed. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291…