Hawaii Supreme Court ending ceded lands case

HONOLULU (AP) - The Hawaii Supreme Court is bringing a 15-year court battle over Hawaiian lands to a close.

The court Tuesday ordered the dismissal of the claims of the final plaintiff in the case, which it was reconsidering after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that the government's apology for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom didn't strip the state of its right to sell or transfer former monarchy land.

The Hawaii Supreme Court is tossing out the claims of University of Hawaii professor Jonathan Osorio, who sought a permanent ban on the sale of Hawaiian lands.

Three other plaintiffs and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs previously reached a settlement with the state barring the sale of ceded lands unless both the House and Senate approve by a two-thirds vote.