Will Faulk, a journalist for the San Diego Free Press, has consented to the reprint of his article that was published online today April 29, 2015.
In the first essay of my Protecting Mauna Kea series, I made a mistake. I wrongfully described the ongoing, illegal American occupation of Hawai’i as an “annexation.”
Hawaiian friends of mine pointed this out to me and gave me a thorough history lesson. I was referred to documents, books, and websites that tell the truth. For the last several days, I’ve been reading everything I can on the subject.
The more I read, the more convinced I become not only that the Thirty Meter Telescope project lacks any legal right to build on Mauna Kea, but that international law, indeed American law itself, demands that the United States end it’s occupation of Hawai’i.
I have two hopes for this piece. First, I want to give a history lesson for haoles. “Haole” is the Hawaiian word for white person. I am specifically directing this lesson at white settlers – at haoles – because the first thing haoles can do is understand the history of violence we benefit from.
This history lesson will demonstrate that the current regime controlling Hawai’i is illegitimate and as such has no authority to enforce the construction of the TMT on Mauna Kea.
Second, I want to relieve Hawaiians from the responsibility of educating haoles. Hawaiians have no responsibility to educate us. As a white settler hoping to stand in true solidarity with Hawaiians, I am upset with myself for the mistake. I have seen how frustrating it can be for a movement when valuable time must be spent coaching well-meaning settlers along.
I want to be clear: I am not advocating for a “call-out” culture on the front lines of resistance where resisters perpetually attack each other for their choice of words. Many of us must go through our personal experiences unlearning the lies we are taught and this takes time. The dominant culture, of course, does an excellent job lying. That’s why it’s the dominant culture.
But, I am saying that settlers need to take responsibility for educating other settlers. Leaving education to oppressed classes, forcing them to do the work of spreading consciousness, is a form of oppression in itself.
Before I begin, it is necessary to explain that this essay represents my opinions and my personal perspective of Hawaiian history stemming from the research I’ve done and been directed to. I am not a spokesperson for the Hawaiian people, neither am I spokesperson for the Mauna Kea protectors. I understand that there is no One True History, but I refuse to abide by the relativism I see perpetuating around me.
The complexity of a situation does not signify a lack of meaning. Rather, the complexity of a situation – especially ones with real, physical consequences – demands that we grapple with information to take a stand. As the world disintegrates before our eyes, I see too many people mired in the neutrality their belief in the relative nature of reality produces.
Make no mistake, if the construction of the TMT project results in the spill of hazardous chemicals in the largest freshwater aquifer on the Island of Hawai’i – a very real possibility – there will be very real consequences for life on the Island.
***
Milan Kundera famously stated the “struggle against oppression is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” I have found this to be shockingly true learning the history of Hawai’i. It is my belief that haoles have forgotten – or never knew – the history of Hawai’i. If we did not forget, there would be more of us supporting the Mauna Kea protectors and supporting true Hawaiian sovereignty.
What have we forgotten?
It starts centuries ago when Hawaiians first arrived in Hawai’i. Over the centuries, Hawaiians developed a culture based on ecological balance that included communal land tenure. I am very self-conscious that my attempts to explain a complex culture that existed for centuries before the arrival of Europeans would amount to so much generalization. I cannot possibly do the Hawaiian culture justice in a short essay, but so many discussions of Hawaiian history begin with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778 erasing Hawaiian history pre-European contact.
There are always those that will accuse me of romanticizing Hawaiian culture, who will say “all human cultures are inherently destructive.” I do not mean to romanticize Hawaiian culture and it simply is not true that all human cultures are inherently destructive. We know the Hawaiian culture before 1778 had it’s own problems, but wide-scale ecological collapse was not one of them. In this era of total environmental destruction, we would do well to empower cultures who lived in balance with their land base.
From 1826 until 1893, the United States government recognized the independent Kingdom of Hawai’i including full, complete diplomatic relations with the Hawaiian government. For all intents and purposes, the United States viewed Hawai’i as a nation just like Mexico, Canada, or Great Britain. In fact, the United States entered into treaties involving navigation and commerce with Hawai’i in 1826, 1842, 1849, 1875, and 1887.
Then, in January, 1893, John L. Stevens, an American agent in Hawaii (his official title was United States Minister), conspired with non-Hawaiians and members of the U.S. Navy to overthrow the Hawaiian government. On January 16, 1893, Stevens and armed US naval personnel invaded Hawai’i and positioned themselves next to Hawaiian governmental buildings including Iolani Palace to intimidate Queen Liliuokalani. Queen Liliuokalani, under threats of bloodshed, yielded her authority to the government of the United States – NOT Stevens’ provisional government – until the time the United States would undo the actions of its representatives in Hawai’i.
Grover Cleveland was the president in 1893 and he initiated an investigation into the actions of Stevens and his cronies while calling for the restoration of the Hawaiian monarchy. The investigation concluded that Stevens and other US officials in Hawaii had abused their authority and had engaged in “an act of war.”
Still, the provisional government sought annexation in Congress, but was unable to rally the support of 2/3 of the Senate needed for annexation. So, on July 4, 1894, the provisional government that had forcibly invaded and overthrown the Kingdom of Hawai’i, declared itself the Republic of Hawai’i.
In 1896, William McKinley replaced Grover Cleveland as president. Using the excuse of the Spanish-American war and the need for a naval base in the Pacific, McKinley and the Senate began to entertain the notion of annexing Hawai’i, again.
In 1897, the Hawaiian people delivered a massive petition where nearly 90% of Hawaiians alive at the time declared their desire not to become part of the United States of America. Unable to secure a treaty of annexation, Congress passed a joint resolution titled “the Newlands Resolution” on July 7, 1898.
The illegality of this joint resolution is one of the most important things to understand about Hawaiian history. This resolution had no legal basis, had no validity, and was possible simply because of the armed might of the United States.
The resolution has no legitimate basis because laws passed by Congress have no authority internationally. Congress can only pass laws that apply within the United States.
Hawaiian legal scholar Dr. Keanu Sai explains it better than I can in his blog-article “International Law Prevents Construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope” when he writes, “The underlying problem that Congressmen at the time knew was that no law of Congress can have any force and effect beyond the borders of the United States. In other words, the United States could no more annex the Hawaiian Islands by passing a domestic law, than it could annex Canada today by passing a law.”
As part of the Newlands Resolution, the Republic of Hawai’i passed 1,800,000 acres of what had been crown, government, and public lands of the Kingdom of Hawai’i to the control of the United States. Included in this land is Mauna Kea. Through the acquisition of Mauna Kea in this way, the State of Hawai’i has leased land on Mauna Kea for the TMT’s construction. But, an illegal state giving land acquired illegally can only give – you guessed it – an illegal lease.
Of course, you don’t have to take my word for this history, because all of these facts were already admitted and apologized for by Congress on November 23, 1993. You can read their apology here.
***
So, can you see why we cannot call the occupation of Hawai’i an annexation? No treaty of annexation was ever signed. “Annexation” implies consent on the part of those annexed and clearly the Hawaiian people never consented.
To take this even deeper, the term “annexation” hides the truth, softens the reality that Hawai’i was invaded while the invaders still seek to assert dominance over Hawai’i. To use the term “annexation” is to forget and forgetting clears the wayfor oppression.
There’s something, though, that bothers me about all this. How can the American government and the American people after learning this history, after admitting the wrongs done to Hawai’i still allow something like the TMT project to happen? I think the answer is that learning the history is only the first small step. Knowing the history, we must act.
One of the intentions behind my writing is to try to understand how so many people can recognize problems in the world and then fail to act to solve those problems. I am a haole, so I can only speak as a haole, and I believe too many haoles settle for pointing out their privilege while the more important work involves undermining the forces that grants them that privilege over others in the first place. The history is clear. Hawaiians are being wronged. Now, we need to act.
“We must act” now! and with Aloha
I will refer to Mauna, (not the mountain itself but) Mauna our ancestor like Hāloa, it’s time to listen, pay very close attention to ones-self and your surrounding, the signs are in front of us – e ala e – awaken – Mauna is speaking, and as this article proves that Mauna speaks not to only Hawaiʻi, but to the world as well.
We as temporary tenants that reside here in Hawaiʻi nei both Kanaka and non-Hawaiian, must act, don’t say you didn’t know or to busy or flat don’t agree, the responsibility is on our shoulders, this is our time, we all need to carry our weight, make a call to your Ohana and family get involved, appoint one family member to sign wave, another member to listen to guest speakers both for or against, another family member can call elected officials and make sure they know what’s coming, if your on a computer all day that’s your responsibility use it wisely, stand firm get re-educated, learn the truth, plant the seeds of truth, speak the truth!
Times are changing right in front of our eyes, the next generation is here, our nation is in motion, support all you can, ask questions, communicate, get involved.
Mahalo
True that Kamaka O Kona. O Lonokapu ko’u inoa. And I can see the change in our people happening right before my eyes and it makes me feel good, to see that now when we learn the true history, and we become hungry to learn more(for me anyway). And when you are hungry to learn…you going learn, and you going learn fast. You like more, more, more information and then I like teach my friends, my family and at first they all thought I was pupule but now, just a short while later they starting to begin to realize that eh maybe I not so pupule after all. I try tell them that we’ve all been “brainwashed” from small kid time, made to believe we was americans. Like in school remember we had to pledge allegence, and then sing o beautiful, and that kind of bs. You know these “haole” culture they are ruthless. It’s all about greed, money, power. That’s why I came to the conclusion that they are (and not all of them because I Know some good Haole’s too, that give the shirt off their back literally) but in general they are a invasive species. Just like miconia, fire ants, coqui frogs, you get the picture, especially the US military and government. They are the worst ones. Why you think they no like leave?!? But praise AKUA… it’s now just a matter of time. And another interesting idea one anakala was sharing with me was we as Kanaka…there is a reason we are here. We were put here for a purpose. And this is a world wide purpose. And he was sharing this with us maybe a couple years ago.. and he was referencing Mauna Kea and this is where all life began. This where you and me came from. Hence “We ARE Mauna Kea”. And what he said about our purpose was… to teach the rest of the world about ALOHA. How’s that eh. Because if we don’t, humans going perish eventually because how he put it was the very top of the Mauna…Mauna Kea is the “Piko”. And when they digging up there to build this and excavate that …they hurting the Piko and they hurting us, themselves, and the whole mankind eventually. And they doing this and they don’t even know they killing us all. Wakea(Mother Aina). So it’s our “kuleana” to make it known. Anakala Cal. Ekala mai as I can’t explain how you can and I need to make it a point to come visit with you soon. Mahalo to ALL the protectors Kanaka and Kanaka at heart. From near and far. Mahalo Nui Loa. Malama pono…Ahui hou…ALOHA…
P.S. To brada Will Faulk (original poster) Mahalo to you too… and keep up the education and the educating cause the more people that knows the truth the better.. Peace.
some of us act by giving money (the little that that we have)so that the documentary “Why the Mountain” can become a reality. Always with Aloha.
Actually the word “ha’ole” is not just for whites, it is for anyone who is not born in Hawai’i. If you are born in Hawai’i then actually you are Hawaiian but you are not Kanaka.
Nice correction!
Mahalo Hunnie for your mana`o.
The word haole was given to describe those who came to Hawai`i to describe their initial appearance and behavior. The white people greeted with a hand-shake instead of honi. Thus haole meaning, “no/without breath”.
Since then, haole stuck to all the white foreigners: Germans, Americans, Russians, Germans, etc. Other races of color were known according to the visual description and nationalities whether or not they were of mixed blood. They were and still are considered according to their physical appearance: Pukiki, Portuguese and of mixed blood of Latino, Spanish, and white), Pake (Chinese), Japanese (Kepani), Filipinos (Pilipino), Popolo, (Blacks/African), etc.
Needless to say anyone who could trace their parent’s Hawaiian nationality prior to 1/17/1893 was and thereafter their descendants are Hawaiian. Likewise, anyone born in Hawai`i who is unable to trace their Hawaiian citizenry, pre-Overthrow, is not Hawaiian but that of their foreign parentage.
Aloha piha.
Haole literally means “foreigner”, not white. And if you’re born in Hawaii, you are NOT Hawaiian unless you have Hawaiian blood. Not like “I’m from Texas so I’m a Texan”. We are unique like that. I don’t like this whole “annexation” and the U.S. Government needs to leave Hawaii talk, it’s a waste of time. I completely understand what people are saying, I’m from Hawaii and am part Hawaiian myself. But I am so grateful for the opportunity that we have and the culture that we were blessed to be born into. Everything happens for a reason and this is no exception. We are going through a journey and none of us know how it’ll end. We’re all convicted by something… and we will hold true to whatever that is. Be blessed!
Finally someone said it.
Thank you!
According to Willy Kauai, Ph.D, specializing in Hawaiian Nationality, the word “Hawaiian” describes nationality of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
As far as I know, kanaka maoli (full) and kanaka (hapa) is recognized as the blood line.
Unfortunately, we have been led to believe that Hawaiian and Kanaka are synonymous It is not. To claim to be Hawaiian is to describe the identity of our allegience to the Hawaiian Kingdom. Kanaka is one of the koko.
Mahalo for the contribution as we move forward of ku i ka pono.
Aloha ke Akua.
I am Hawaiian. Not because of my “allegiance to the Hawaiian Kingdom” but because I have Hawaiian ancestry and wasn’t born here and claim this as my home. I am not a stereotype not am I a part of a general description of every Hawaiian or kanaka as you insist on describing us. I’m just me with my own ideas. Not all of us think or support the Hawaiian causes as a whole. Though I understand them, I don’t 100% agree with ever part of them. I wish people wouldn’t lump us together. I’m not being disrespectful, I’m being honest. I’m as Hawaiian as the next person with ancestry but I’m not on the same path. Be blessed!
“Hawaiian”is a national identity, not a race, unless you want to buy into the race to make a tribe based on race and see the ultimate abolishment of your national rights, lands and assets. Be careful how tjis is used because as Dr. Sai rightly teaches, there are legal definitions behind these terms that many may not be aware of…such as “indigenous”
Ha’ole, -if you look into the word more deeply, then you will understand the meaning of this word.
Ha-(Breath of Life) a’ole-(No Mo or None) = No Soul
See?
Malama Kakou, the aina and its people, WE ARE HAWAII, BORN AND RAISED IN THESE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS -MY HOME, YOUR HOME THATS RATHER BEING SOLD FOR THE GREEN KALA RATHER THEN THE LOVE OR ALOHA FOR THE LAND ITSELF =RAPED BY THE FOREIGNERS GREED, A’OLE PONO, KAPU ALOHA
UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO
Life upon these land here home in Hawaii is perpetuated in righteousness, -ALOHA
ONI PA’A
ALOHA KE AKUA
Mahalo nui e Will Faulk for sharing your insightful narrative and sentiments. We certainly appreciate the support of family members in the Family of Nations around the World in joining our long arduous quest to the summit of Mauna a Wakea. It is emblematic too, of desire for our Hawaiian Nation’s Restoration. It is people like yourself who are courageous and empathetic of our struggle, who help us make it a reality. Maika’i loa a me Aloha ia oe.
Mahalo for the article Will Faulk and to Hunnie Gurl for the definition of ha’ole. However, I must disagree with the statement …If you are born in Hawai’i then actually you are Hawaiian but you are not Kanaka.
In an occupation, persons born of the occupier in occupied territory retain their parents citizenship. They cannot claim citizenship of the occupied state. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for understanding and trying to help others see how long my ancestors of the past went and is going through…. We are aloha and will always aloha from our hearts..enough is enough.. Although our language is being seen as a dead language.. I am Hawaiian and I am part of this last breed…. Aloha kakou a Malama pono…
At the END…We Are LOVE…We Are Aloha…No matter WHERE we came from or WHOM we came from…when we represent HAWAII, each day we get up and open our eyes here on this little speck of land in the ocean, we are HA WAI I made up of ALOHA. When I look at its beauty, Smell the air, Hear its voice, and Feel the spirit of our Great Mauna Kea…I belong. There is anger and ugly everywhere in this world…but only in Hawaii have I seen where no matter where you are from or what color you are, what language you speak, how smart you are, or how much money you have… we all come together as one when necessary. People of Hawaii are KIND…BUT DON’T MISTAKE THAT FOR WEAKNESS. PEOPLE OF HAWAII MAKE YOU BELONG, AND OUR GREAT MAUNA KEA REMINDS YOU THAT YOU DO BELONG.
Also Haole is not a color its an attitude it means without life from the lifegiver” Ke Akua”
oh sorry thank you for standing PONO
You realize that the word haole is basically the same as calling black people niggers? But for white people? For all your knowledge about Hawaii you don’t even understand the nature of the word your so called “friends” are using to describe you. It is an insulting, degrading and very racist word. It is not just “the Hawaiian word for white people ” as you called it; it is the lowest and most degrading term they can use in their language to refer to white people.
Josh, what you are describing here is called racism. There is no Hawaiian word that I know of that would have that meaning. Hawaiians never knew racism until it was introduced by the Haole. And further more “Haole ” is not insulting, degrading, or racist. It is the word sometimes used in front of Haole( #^*%@!< Haole) which then makes it racist, degrading or insulting. If I said "look at that @#$^&*! Hawaiian", would that make make the word "Hawaiian" a racist, degrading or insulting word? If you are Caucasian descent, don't feel offended, but feel proud of who you are, and there is a Hawaiian word for you. Malama pono, peace and blessings from Akua.
As a haole teenager attending high school in a predominately haole school, (Radford High), I was privileged to be taught Hawaiiana by John Topolinski, where I learned and was outraged by the truth about the overthrow, “annexation”, and eventual statehood of the Hawaiian kingdom. 40 years later, I am still appalled that this colossal injustice still reigns. The TMT is just the latest in an ongoing battle for Hawaiian sovereignty. After living there most of my life, I most miss the sense of aloha and belonging that can be shared by any kamaaina who cares to learn the truth about these heinous acts. Stand tall,”WeAreMaunaKea”! Our hearts are with you. Aloha no.
Josh what you have said here is a sham accusation and a baseless crooked lie. The truth of the matter is no where near calling a white person a nigger/haole. The term “Haole” according to my elders was coined by Kamehameha I in his encounter with the first missionaries from Massachusett/Rhode Island which were comprised of Protestants and Calvinists. In their plea to the high chief for granting them land to build their church, they wanted to impress him with their choral singing of church hymns and songs. After they finished their demonstration, the High Chief voiced his impression saying that he thought their singing was peculiar, coming from their throats and not their pico/diaphragm. Thus he was heard to say the word “Haole” meaning literally “no breath”. The Hawaiian voice in song, is construed as good and appropriate esp. when it is “Ha” breath/breathed from a persons pico/diaphragm. If it is not evolved from there, it is considered “no breath”. So you see, when we say the word Haole it does not mean “nigger”. That word is from your anglo saxon lexicon. You owe our people an apology. Truth matters.
Perception is everything. The way the word is used today is very much so racist. It seeks to separate. It seeks to differentiate. A Hawaiian can no more tell a haole how to feel about the word than a white man can tell a black man how to feel about the word nigger. It’s the intent behind its use, and the perceived meaning by its intended target. While we co-exist in Hawaii, and regardless of your feelings on that matter, the word Haole as most commonly used today is derogatory toward anyone not Hawaiian, and in particular Caucasians. Honestly, when was the last time a Filipino who looks Filipino was called haole? Japanese? Chinese? Portuguese? Hispanic? The word haole is almost exclusively used to refer to Caucasians in daily speech, and the majority of that use is with negative connotations. So, Frank, whatever the historical context you try to apply, in today’s world you are wrong.
Aloha mahea2000, Hawaiian is not only a race, it is a nationality. With the exception of the Laws of occupation, if a child of foreign parents was born within the territory of the Hawaiian Kingdom then the child is afforded the choice to become a Hawaiian (national) subject by Jus soli. If the country from which the childs parents are from allows for dual citizenship the child could hold dual citizenship.
This illegal occupation is not a subject of ones personal preferrence but an issue for the rule of law.
You may be grateful for the life that you have been born into today as the result of the illegal act of the United States. However, that illegal act that benefits you today victimized our kupunas and continues to victimize us Hawaiian nationals today. They were once like you, grateful for living in their country the Hawaiian Kingdom. They enjoyed the right to govern themselves, their lands and perpetuate the Hawaiian way of life. Then all of that was stripped away by an illegal act by greedy businessmen and the United States. These criminals benefitted greatly in wealth and power at the expense of the Hawaiians and continue to benefit at our expense today. An illegal act always benefits the perpetrator but brings injury and suffering to the victim. You may be of Hawaiian blood and choose to be an american, that is fine, it is your choice. However, do not deny us our choice to be Hawaiian subjects by justifying the illegal acts of the United States.
The illegal occupation of Hawaii is not an issue for one’s personal preferrence but an issue for the rule of law.
Yes, everything happens for a reason and the legal status of Hawaii and it’s history is continuing it’s journey and we are witnessing this journey first hand. We are all convicted by something but the difference is we are convicted by the truth and not the lie. Blessings comes from God for those who have faith and stand on the truth, judgement comes from God for those who practice falsehood and reject the truth. So, yeah, in God’s time we will be blessed.
I won’t comment as to the ‘annexation’ part of this article, but rather on the author’s use of the word ‘haole’. Yes, some excuse it merely as the Hawaiian word for whites, but as most understand it, the word is used/intended in a derogatory manner. To use it so freely yet expect it NOT to be taken as an insult is naive.
Alex to feel the term “haole” is derogatory and offensive is understandable by todays evolved meaning. it is also understandable that given our history as na Kanaka you need to realize the abuse and menace the migrant/malihini has foisted on our people. For over a 122 years, to expect no blow back is also asking our people to accept that assault and battery without recourse. To accept “turn the other cheek” and humility as compliant people. Want you to realize that those days are no more. What I see here is an attempt by many of the malihini/strangers who have illegally migrated here to reverse the psychology and victimhood, bearing the brunt of abuse in our homeland. What you have said here is a falsehood and canard. You need to educate yourself on our Hawaiian history.
So injustice justifies injustice? Two wrongs make a right?
Haole not Haoles. Lei not leis. Kanaka not kanakas. Mea not meas. ‘A’ole pono i ka “sa.”
You can say Hawaiians no ka mea it is a Western term.
Lovely and well said brother Kekoa. We are Hawaiian Subjects with deep roots! Americans have no roots, therefore they should not be the ones making any decisions. Tired of all the lies, it makes me sick to see our people sick and believing the American lies. These Americans create jobs for what? Make money! And who is helping them make money? We are! Uncle Sam have never came to help me with anything, but I am forced to pay him! So, for we as workers in this occupied country are modern slaves or prostitutes( is another way to look at it) and U.S. Are the pimps. So much pilikia going on, we need to step out of our comfort zone and realize that we are brainwashed! Wicked! This society in this occupied time is hurting everyone! America is destroying families! We are being separated from families everyday, mostly for money(work) the thing that we are led to believe that will solve all problems, its a lie from hell! how does one take something that doesn’t belong to them and sell it to someone else for a profit? Vehicles for example, if a thief stole your vehicle and sold it to another person, what happens? The purchaser gets a vehicle with no title and the thief takes the money. Oh Jesus! So for all us who goes to work everyday to pay our mortgages to someone who has no title? Go Figure! Who is the sucker now? How can you stand to believe the lies? Wake up? Believe the truth that you see in front of you.
I know it is hard for some to grasp and grab hold of the truth that the Hawaiian Kingdom Does Exist! It has been here all the time! Realize the facts people! Believe!
I think we Kanakas may need to make therapy sessions to help our injured brothers and sisters overcome all the wickedness that America is putting us through. Holy moly! Just seek the one and only perfect one! Our Father In Heaven, he knows all things. Lord have Mercy! Please forgive them for they know not what they do! Please forgive me if I have offended anyone, Holy Spirit invade everyone’s hearts with love and understanding, your word says “for the love of money is the root of all evil. ” man shall not worship money and God , but worship God alone. His word also says ” every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that he is God” Jesus is Lord! Seek first the Kingdom of God, and watch God restore our Hawaiian Kingdom! In Jesus name , Amen!
Hawai’i has become almost an impossible place for Kanaka Maoli to live on our own home land, thanks to outsiders who have brought billion of dollars into the islands. Now the have gotten so greedy they make it only affordable to bring more outsiders in to live so hence we the Kanaka Maoli are a minority. We have watched our island become over developed and lose its natural beauty….think about it…it’s not that we are not for progression but enough was enough a long time ago. This is the hostility with all of this intrusion came a huge lack of respect from people without cultural roots…no respect for cultural land (I have seen haole people drop their bathing suit and pee on our beautiful beaches, yes where people sit, how disrespectful and pilau (filthy) people or things, all that is of life’s importance to us Kanaka Maoli’s everyday lifestyle. So when we say haole no breath personally you don’t exist because you have NO respect for our HA (breath) our OLA (life) our ‘AINA (land) our KANAKA MAOLI(Native Hawaiian Born), I have no time for you I waste no breath on you. So initially the outsiders set that feeling in motion and unfortunately never really taught followers how to be respectful…you know it is taught…it was taught in all of our Hawaiian and Hawaiian lifestyle homes whether Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, haole (yes I have haole friends brought there very connected to the ‘aina) love and live the culture. You cannot pretend or try to be a wannabe cause it doesn’t work.
This just touches on some of what irritates the Kanaka Maoli with not only haole there are many outsiders that go to Hawai’i and do not Malama our ‘Aina and just don’t give a damn…that attitude gets everything going.
The following is just an opinion.
What is the proposed solution? Give it back? And remove everything American?
Remove property lines, remove the military, police force, federal funding and subsidies, the justice system, the currency, modern healthcare and indeed the protection that the U.S. Government provides?
What is to stop another nation from taking it over? I ask because the fact of the matter is, besides a strategic location and a nice place to relax, Hawaii has nothing to really offer the world in terms of resources, technologies, or industry. Unless you have oil, minerals, natural gas, gold, or other natural resources, the international community doesn’t pay you much mind. So foreign (now federal) aid would significantly decrease, if not disappear. What then? And not being welcome in Hawaii would make it highly unlikely that the U.S. would intervene in any meaningful way should a violent conflict erupt. And please believe that if any foreign aid was requested by Hawaii, there would be massive strings attached to it. As other countries have found out, breaking the terms of foreign aid will see your country without it quicker than you can compensate for. So, Hawaii’s independence would mean relegating Hawaii to “third world” status, or a puppet for other countries that seek to exploit its one edge, location. Now, there are many that will argue that money isn’t everything. And they are right. But take it away, and you very quickly see how important it really is.
On the upside, Hawaii could enjoy governing itself. The people of Hawaii could and in all likeliness need to go back to living off the land.
Hawaii being reinstated as a sovereign nation sounds great and sounds just. But how many people in Hawaii are willing to give up the relative safety and comfort they enjoy today? How many people have put deep thought into what will happen after Hawaii is reinstated? If Hawaii were reinstated, how many people actually have a plan for the next 100 years? Where would the money come from for infrastructure upkeep? Where would the money come from for improving the standard of living? As bad as people think it is today, think of how it will be if all federal funding was pulled. Think of how Hawaii’s main industry, tourism, would be affected by the simple fact that the large number of U.S. tourists would now need a passport to visit the islands. Think of all the consequences of independence.
I do not oppose the reinstatement of the Hawaiian Kingdom. And, it’s not for me to judge. But I don’t believe that the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement is organized and unified enough, nor does it have the foresight or determination at this point in time to be a successful at implementing a new government in the islands.
I too romanticize about living in the Hawaii I learned about in school. I too see a lot of problems with the government today. But I am not at all confident that a reinstated Hawaiian Kingdom could even come close. Just look at how Bishop Estate and Hawaiian Home Lands is managed today. In all likeness, many of the Hawaiian Kingdoms leaders would come from these types of institutions. The very same institutions that are tasked with taking care of the Hawaiian people today. I could be wrong. This is just one man’s opinion.
Aloha, Reid.
All good questions. But I think it is wise if you study Hawaii’s legal history first before jumping into the future. Go to HawaiianKingdom.org for more information about Hawaii’s legal history. Or you can read it in a book titled,
“Ua Mau ke Ea: Sovereignty Endures”
Iolani,
Will do. To get me started, perhaps you could point out a few things that I definitely need to review. Though not detailed I have a fairly good understanding of the series of events that led to the takeover, and the legal status of Hawaii then and now. I really have no opposition to the Hawaiian Kingdom, if anything, I support it. But, being born and raised in the islands, and watching how things have, for lack of a better word, progressed over the last 20 years (which is a short time) I truly worry about what the future of Hawaii residents would be if sovereignty is reinstated. Could you perhaps shine some light on that aspect?
Thank you
That is another good question, but I am afraid I cannot answer that because I don’t know how the future will be for Hawaii. But I will say this at least since I’ve been studying this field for years: Hawaii will be a much better awesome place after this occupation comes to an end. 20-50 times as better then what we’re living under.
I can give you a lot of examples, but since you are not really that aware of Hawaii’s legal history, it is wise to study that first before knowing the future. Studying Hawaii’s legal history will give you an idea of what the future will be.
You sound like a mouth piece for a Fairy Tale Journey, Rising your sorrows away. Spewing One’s “Assume Own Confusion Opinion”. Yes you are entitled to your opinion. but not your facts.
Good idea Iolani. We are just at that point of enough is enough. The TMT telescope, Haleakala on Maui, Hoopili on O’ahu. Mauna Kea besides that being a place where some people may go daily to cleanse, Pule, offer, or na Halau may go for cleanse and connect, it is a sacred place, why and who are these people to take that away? I don’t care how big the are is…once it is desecrated and that monstracity is on there it is invaded and pau, just like what the military did to Kaho’olawe.
Hoopili on O’ahu is agriculture land they want to replace with 11,700 new homes (approx. 56k people) on O’ahu who is already over crowded and over developed. They want to turn that area into another Honolulu/Waikiki, that’s hideous, there is no place for all those cars. We say enough is enough, they are not listening they keep taking the money, it’s about the almighty dollar, but it’s not going into the locals pockets. Stop building on the islands, that’s what we want stop, stop bringing these multitudes of people in to live. We want our agri-land for natural resources such as kalo (poi).
The Kanaka Maoli would not be so upset Reid if people would respect our words, needs, culture, etc. don’t treat us as foreigners on our land, we are the indigenous people to that land. If we say no not here and this is why, and enough is enough then so be it. The Kanaka Maoli has a sense of protection for hawai’i where it’s at, where they want to take it. We just want our mountains, beaches, parks, agri-lands natural resources, no more hotels, no more golf courses, no more new home developments and no more big businesses let our islands be.
I don’t treat anyone as a foreigner. I am of mixed ethnicity born in a land that I’m not welcomed in. If that is me treating Kanaka Maoli as foreign, I apologize for being.
I am just worried about the outcome of a return to sovereignty. And thank you for explaining that it is in fact your desire to remove hotels and golf courses, and have no new development.
Out of genuine curiosity, I simply pose this question to you, and to every Kanaka Maoli for that matter: If/when the Hawaiian Kingdom is restored, what is the game plan? How will the government provide adequate protection, safety, and an acceptable standard of living for its residents? Let’s assume the sovereign nation of Hawaii is restored tomorrow…what now?
This is a question that I can’t for the life of me find the answer to nor have answered directly by anyone. Surely someone must have an idea of what the game plan will be for when the day comes. If not, and there is no plan, it will be a complete disaster in my opinion.
It’s to stop all of this nonsense building. It’s not my place to speak regarding where or what happens regarding sovrentity. I stand behind the in-justice to our land and I do not agree with how the system is teating our people, i.e., why I say on people are being treated like foreigners is the young man Kaho’okahi that was removed from the courtroom for speaking Hawaiian when Hawaiian is a legally accepted language in Hawai’i. Judge Tasake could not understand….how she handled it, she should be removed from the Hawai’i Bench because she took an oath, she cares nothing for the Hawaiian people…shame on her. She owes that young man a public apology.
Reid these things all compiled over years is hewa! It’s all wrong doing, many lies and broken promises. In the meantime more land is being taken away. Look now Korea business bought one of the hotels on hawai’i island the Orchid, yesterday.
I’m sorry I couldn’t answer your question, it’s just not my place.
Thank you for caring!
As I mentioned before, Reid, it is best to study Hawaii’s legal history. To understand the future, you must look to the past.
And by the way, this occupation concerns everyone in Hawaii regardless if you’re Aboriginal Hawaiian (kanaka Maoli) or not
INSIGHT
For insight into the possible future of a restored Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, please research the outcomes from numerous other Nations across the globe who achieved independence from countries like Great Britain. There are lessons to be learned from those case studies.
Its not something totally new or strange. Postulating a worse case scenario due to fear or ignorance is understandable but at the same time, unacceptable. No offense meant.
By learning the history of the occupation of Hawaiʻi, the complicity of business and church, and the genocide of native people, one can see with more clarity, that the past is filled with despicable acts of “haole.”
To say that we are comfortable in our “American dream” reflects the abject depths of loss of consciousness of who we are, and our true state of affairs.
TMT is a more current and highly visible act of disregard for our reality and history.
Enough already!
Perhaps the question that we could ask is, “What will our grandchildren do?”
You do not have to be just Kanaka Maoli, as I said in an earlier post you can be of mix With Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, haole if you malama the the ‘Aina the ‘Aina will malama you. Most people born and raised in Hawai’i live the lifestyle, it’s the Visitors that most often do not and I am not going to revisit things I have witnessed but it’s even been from people that were raised non-Hawaiian that have done some horrible things at graveyards places like Waipi’o Valley Hawai ‘i Island. And not all Hawwains are perfect but I would think have learned along the way.
Do yes Reid read some factual information, don’t try get it from Facebook or blogs. I applaud you for researching the truth and facts….at least you’re trying.
Sorry for the typos it’s difficult on a phone. Hawaiian, man can’t type my race correctly….and I did say previously that you did not necessarily have to be Kanaka Maoli, but there is a lifestyle and culture that is taught in Hawai’i. Our culture is very rich and deep…very different. I’ll leave it at that.
Aloha Reid, under international law and the laws of war/occupation the occupier is responsible to maintain the status quo of the occupied state until deoccupation is completed in a smooth and orderly transition. The U.S. assumes this liability since they got the benefits of the occupation. Simply put, the U.S. cannot just leave and create a chaotic situation. Remember, once this ball starts rolling you will have International agencies and a Protecting Power here to monitor the occupation and deoccupation. Deoccupation sometimes takes anywhere from 3 to eight years to complete. Take a look at how they deoccupied Iraq and other countries. They had to facilitate the smooth transition of returning Iraq to a duly elected gov’t and also repairing the damage they did. I read it cost the U.S. something like a billion dollars a month to occupy Iraq. This is why countries rather back a coupe’s a revolution and overthrow. It’s cost effective and they are not liable for the cost of the occupation and all that comes with it. They are also guaranteed cooperation in securing their interest from the regime they covertly support and put into power. Why do you think Putin keeps saying the little green men in Crimea and Ukraine are not Russian soldiers.
We are very fortunate in a sense that our occupation has no major destruction from war and we already have a fully functioning economy. Ask your self this, how did the Provisional Gov’t/Republic manage to run Hawaii without the financial assistance from the U.S. and all the federal programs and State Progams? They ran the HK without all of that from 1893 to 1898. Then it took up until 1959 for the fake State to appear. Simple, they took over an already running machine and tweaked it as they needed. In our situation the same strategy is to be used with keeping the goal of a smooth transition and economy.
Your concerns that those handling the HK gov’t would have the same results of mismanagement like other Hawn State runned programs are legit but not to worry. The State of Hawaii system was inheirently a mess to begin with and plagued with lack of accountability. I’m certain those same guys won’t be holding any gov’t positions since they have exposed themselves as anit-HK pro american (traitors). I have lived under the fake state forever and I can’t remember one time when the County or State had a balanced budget. Just take a look at the rail project mess for example or how they had to raid the Hurrican relief fund and the tobacco settlement monies to balance their incompetance. I’m very confident those that will run the HK will do a better job. There are penalties under HK law to effectively hold those in gov’t positions accountable unlike the flawed fake state.
Kekoa,
Thank you. That is exactly the explanation I was looking for. It was this part of the issue that I had no understanding of. That really makes a lot of sense. I got do some reading, but now I got a basic grasp of how it might unfold. Thanks again!
“I’m very confident those that will run the HK will do a better job. There are penalties under HK law to effectively hold those in gov’t positions accountable unlike the flawed fake state.”
I share the same confidence, kekoa. Not only just in hope, but evidently speaking as well. Oh, yes there is indeed those kind laws in the H.K.. And I don’t ever want those kind laws abolish. In fact I don’t think I want any laws abolished! Maybe some need to be modernized, which is fine because now we have automobiles, for example. But for like laws that govern society and the government itself, I don’t want them to change! Like here is one example: Not just anyone can run for government in the H.K. Under ARTICLE 61 of the Constitution, anyone who wants to run for Representative in government cannot have been convicted of any crime or misdemeanor, he/she cannot be insane or cannot be an idiot. The same goes for voting (ARTICLE 62) and above all the same goes for the sovereign (ARTICLE 25).
This occupation’s way of life along with the so-called State of Hawaii is 3rd rate versus the H.K. in my opinion.
Aloha Kekoa and Iolani,
This is what I believe needs to be seriously looked at once the Hawaiian Kingdom takes over. Most of us have been born, raised and educated under the american way of thinking and some politicians today will probably want to continue representing us as Hawaiian Subjects and run for office.
These individuals will need to be reeducated under the Hawaiian Kingdoms Constitution and to be honest I still would have a hard time trusting them, especially some of those in office today who are of Kanaka Maoli Blood without mentioning names.
My hope is that when the Hawaiian Kingdom regains its rightful authority from the United States and the State of Hawaii and begin to amend the Constitution for the modern times, that they consider harsh penalties with regard to elected officials and appointed positions in the Hawaiian Kingdom Government.
The American form of government allows government officials to prosper with so called kick backs and personal favor’s, from personal interest groups and big money corporations.
The amendments that I feel should be put in place is to insure the integrity of any elected office or appointed position stay clean and honest. It should be laws with penalties so severe that individuals would seriously think twice about compromising the integrity of their position.
Individuals running for elected office usually get involved because they want to make a difference and help their community, not get rich. Politicians today look at public office as a career and forget about the wanting to help their community after a while.
This would be my hope to eliminate corruption in our Kingdom.
The first amendment I would like to see, is that only Hawaiian’s (Kanaka Maoli) can own land in Hawaii from the time of passage of this amendment. This would insure Hawaiian Lands Stay in Hawaiian Hands.
The second amendment would be that No Non Hawaiian’s can hold office hear in Hawaii. They should live in Hawaii for a minimum amount of years before holding office and must be a subject of the Kingdom Of Hawaii. (In this amendment Hawaiian would mean Nationality and not race.)
The third amendment would be regarding laws and penalties for corrupt elected and appointed officials.
There should be automatic prison time for anyone convicted of corruption while serving as an elected or appointed official.
There should also be total confiscation of all assets, property, money and real estate from anyone convicted for corruption while serving as an elected or appointed official.
If it is found that a family member or any other acquaintance of a convicted elected or appointed official is guilty of hiding assets for the convicted elected or appointed official, they too will have their assets confiscated by the Kingdom. This would be the same for those who try to bribe, sway, coerce or threaten an elected or appointed official.
The reason for the severe penalties is to eliminate the possibility of someone being convicted of corruption while in office and profitting from that corruption, serving prison time and coming out and living life on easy street with their ill gotten gains.
My simple remedy for Lying, Cheating, Greedy and Corrupt Elected or Appointed Officials.
A Huin Hou
There is an industry unfortunately it’s our mountains, our sacred lands they want…that’s what we cannot give up. They just don’t get it. They think they can buy us out….but enough is enough….Pau already! It’s not about race it’s about our sacred lands and our culture. Plain and simple.
I remember my teacher Auntie Edith Kanaka’ole back in 1975 in a University of Hawai’i Hawaiian Studies class stated that HAOLE signified “not of this taro patch” meaning people who did not share or eat from the same calabash.