Hawaiian Sovereignty & Culture

“...indigenous peoples by definition lack autonomy and independence. In the modern, post-war world, we are surrounded by other, more powerful nations that desperately want our lands and resources and for whom we pose an irritating problem. This is just as true for the Indians of the Americas as it is for the tribals of India and the aborigines of the Pacific. This economic reality is also a political reality for most if not all indigenous peoples. The relationship between ourselves and those who want control of us and our resources is not a formerly colonial relationship but an ongoing colonial relationship. That is to say, we are not now autonomous yet dependent. Rather, we are dependent and subjugated. Part of our subjugation is the unequal relationship to our numerous colonizers.”

– Haunani-Kay Trask, From a Native Daughter (Common Courage Press, 1993)
 

Lani's mom, LA Times, 1939 Lani's mom, LA Times, 1939
   
In the 19th century, the sovereign and independent nation of Hawai‘i held treaties with every major nation at that time, including the USA. The Kings and Queens travelled the world to meet with other world leaders and heads of state, including Queen Victoria.

Driven by United States business interests, the US Marines illegally overthrew the constituional monarchy of Hawai‘i and placed the beloved monarch Queen Lili‘uokalani under house arrest in her palace. She lived and worked there, speaking out and writing for her people, until her death 17 years later. President Cleveland condemned the act and called for the restoration of the Hawaiian monarchy. However, in 1898 President McKinley pushed through a joint resolution of annexation – rather than the required treaty – in violation of international law and the US Constitution. Native Hawaiians were not allowed to vote on the US annexation of their country in 1898, and have had no power/voice since the military take over.

If you plan to visit Hawai‘i, take the time to learn about the Hawaiian people, the culture, and the history. Plan on donating at least 15 percent of your tourist $$ to support the native people’s sovereignty movement and local environmental groups.

Some Informative Sites: Some of My Favorite Music/Sources: Some of My Favorite Books:
  • From a Native Daughter: Colonialism & Sovereignty in Hawai‘i (Common Courage Press) by Haunani-Kay Trask
  • Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen (Charles E. Tuttle Company) by Lili‘uokalani
  • Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants (Bishop Museum Press) by Isabella Aiona Abbott
Organizations: Hawaiian Facts from the Early 1990s:
(Please send me recent statistics if you have them.)
  • The tourism industry is controlled by non-Hawaiians. Hawaiians are hired primarily as maids and groundskeepers. Managers are usually brought in from the continental United States.
  • The gross consumption of resources by the tourist industry is the reason for the destruction of the rain forest as a Wyoming-based company drills for geothermal power.
  • There are almost monthly dumps of untreated or partially treated waste into the ocean as sewage systems are overburdened by the tourist industry.
  • Native Hawaiians have the highest rate of unemployment in Hawai‘i.
  • Native Hawaiians have the highest rate of infant mortality in Hawai‘i.
  • Native Hawaiians comprise the largest percentage of the population living below the poverty line.
  • Native Hawaiians have the highest rate of homelessness in Hawai‘i.
  • Nearly one-fifth of Hawai‘i’s resident population is classified as near-homeless – that is, those for whom any mishap will result in immediate on-the-street homelessness. (1990 testimony, State Legislature)
  • At statehood in 1950, Hawai‘i residents outnumbered tourists by more than 2 to 1. By 1990, tourists outnumbered residents by 6 to 1, and outnumbered Native Hawaiians 30 to 1.


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