"A good portion of the airport is on ceded lands, and lease money was paid for that. So the state's collecting lease money because all of a sudden "worthless" land now has an airport on it"

This quote by Neil Abercrombie discuss a number of important issues connected to land usage, financial value, and native rights. Abercrombie reflects on how land initially deemed "useless" gained considerable worth due to infrastructural advancement-- in this case, the building of an airport. The expression "ceded lands" most likely describes lands that were initially owned or managed by indigenous populations but were transferred, typically under pressure or via controversial treaties, to a governing authority-- in this case, the state.

Abercrombie explains the irony and improvement in the land's viewed value. Initially, when deemed "worthless", potentially due to its lack of instant commercial or farming potential, the land probably did not take advantage of the financial investment or advancement attention that other lands did. However, with the construction of the airport, its value and significance altered dramatically. This advancement develops a profits stream for the state through lease cash. This financial turnaround exhibits how infrastructural jobs can essentially alter land dynamics and financial landscapes.

The quote likewise discuss issues related to fairness and justice. Although the state benefits financially from renting the land, the initial context of the land transfer may include browbeating or inequity. By highlighting that "lease cash was paid", Abercrombie might be pointing toward the requirement for compensation for using what was initially native land. Nevertheless, whether this settlement is reasonable or sufficient remains an implicit concern.

Additionally, the declaration raises questions about sustainable advancement and accountable governance. It challenges us to think about how land needs to be valued beyond immediate business gains and encourages discussion on how earnings ought to be shared, specifically when thinking about historic injustices towards indigenous individuals. Hence, the quote works as a timely for wider discussions on ethical land management and reparative justice in contexts where historical land cession plays a main role.