This blog is about Hawaii's status as an independent country under prolonged illegal occupation by the United States, and the history, culture, law & politics of the islands.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo soon will fly the U.S. and Hawaii state flags at equal heights following protests late last year from students and community members.
On Dec. 1, Hawaiian sovereignty activists lowered the American flag on the single pole at the front entrance to the UH-Hilo campus and hoisted the Hawaii state flag that previously flew beneath. They folded the U.S. flag and delivered it to administrators, along with demands that the Hawaii flag be shown preference when the flags are raised.
[…]
Joseph Kaolulo, one of the Hawaiian students involved in the effort to take down the U.S. flag in December, said Tuesday he viewed the decision by UH-Hilo to place the flags on equal footing as an admission of guilt about what he called the United States’ “illegal occupation” of Hawaii.
“By putting two separate poles up, they (UH-Hilo) have recognized us as a nation not conquered,” he said. […]
Kaolulo claims the university committed “educational malpractice” in support of the alleged occupation, “brainwashing our society and our kids,” he said.
He added that, in light of the recent national debate that led to several state and private entities deciding to stop flying the Confederate flag, now is a good time to raise questions.
Insights Hawaii program on PBS last night focused on the question “What Would It Take To Achieve Hawaiian Sovereignty?” Daryl Huff moderates the discussion with Peter Apo, Lilikala Kameeleihiwa, Kaleikoa Kaeo, and Bumpy Kanahele.
Dramatic reenactment of Ka Lei Maile Alii – the Queen’s Women
Waimanalo Beach Park Pavilion
Tuesday evening, July 14 at 6 pm
The event is hosted by Ho`olohe Pono and is free and open to the public. Food donations are gratefully accepted. Dinner is at 6 pm, followed by a presentation by Dr. Ron Williams on the Christian church’s resistance to annexation of Hawaii to the U.S. The reenactment will follow Dr. Williams’ talk.
E Aloha Mai Kakou,
For the past 15 years I’ve been doing a vigil at Iolani Palace. Twice a year… Jan 17th and July 4th. This is an open invitation to come and join us this weekend, July 4th and 5th.
There is no question that the need for true unity is of the utmost importance, especially with all the hewa surrounding us…Mauna Kea..Haleakala..Hoopili..Kualoa..Pohakuloa,…Rail…Military Build up..
We have to put our heads together and bring all of these things to a head by chopping the legs they stand on….No Annexation..No Treaty…No Land deeds…no Kuleana.
Please come and join us…let’s explore the many ways we can prepare to ACT in unison and how each island can support the others. This is the time…
E Iho Ana O Luna..
E Pii Ana O Lalo
E Hui Ana Na Moku..
E Ku Ana Ka Paia
Imua Ka Lahui Hawaii..
Back in ’94 I think, I walked with a group of Ohana Council members down Waikiki Beach and handed out copies of the Apology along with a flyer urging tourists not to come to Hawaii due to the ongoing suppression of Hawaiian Kingdom rights. A couple dozen of us for an hour or two were enough to send the state’s tourism industry into a near panic and result in a meeting with the governor and members of his cabinet soon thereafter.
Now, Bumpy is ready to do it again.
“I will tell the tourists not to come to Hawaii until you guys sit down with us.”
Also, note towards the end his reflections on the role of Japanese in Hawaii of in a sense usurping the benefits and programs that were intended for Hawaiians. This is a sensitive subject but it is very real and important to understand, and something Bumpy feels strongly about.
Thompson talks of the dark days of native Hawaiian culture, and its resurgence, and Bourdain gives a decent 30-second history lesson running from the arrival of Westerners through the overthrow and World War II, from the plantation era to modern times. Today’s Hawaii is both very “Main Street USA,” and yet “has the nicest elements of the third world.”
And more than once, the shocking possibility that Hawaii may not always be dripping with aloha for its visitors is explored.
“It’s not a particularly welcoming or friendly part of the world, contrary to the aloha myth,” Bourdain tells Theroux. Theroux replies: “But no island is… did anyone ever come to an island with a good intention?”
Bourdain and his crew even goes as far as to test whether Molokai is as unfriendly as he’s been told. There he is welcomed, fed, and educated by Hanohano Naehu, keeper of the Keawanui fish pond, Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte, and friends. Over squid luau and fresh poi, they discuss Hawaiian history and sustainability.
