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.
While controversy over the film’s title and racial aspects of casting have overshadowed other aspects of the movie, Bumpy notes the “megaphone platform Crowe had afforded the Hawaiian rights movement.”
Crowe gave Kanahele room within the script to mention the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893.
“My time with Bumpy made me want to reference his struggle,” Crowe said in his email.
In Aloha, Kanahele wears his own shirt, which reads “Hawaiian by birth” on the front, and “American by force” on the back.
For Kanahele, the shirt means that to avoid violence, Hawaiians have to accept — to an extent — the past: “We are forced to do the things we don’t want to do for the sake of peace.”
That said, he’s proud of Aloha, “because we can say we are under military occupation — and that’s the truth.”
In the midst of seeking some entertainment and thinking whatever else they think about the movie, millions of people will hear these truths about Hawai‘i, thanks to Bumpy and Cameron.
HILO, Hawaii – The Hawaii County Council Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development took up a rare discussion on Hawaiian sovereignty in Hilo on Tuesday. Puna Councilman Danny Paleka introduced a resolution requesting the Hawaii state legislature designate July 31st as Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea, recognizing the day independence was restored to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i in 1843 following a taking by the British Royal Navy.
From the “whereas” section of Resolution 185-15:
WHEREAS, La Ho‘iho‘i Ea translates to Restoration Day, which marks the day that independence was restored to the Hawaiian Kingdom on July 31, 1843, after being seized and forcefully taken by Lord George Paulet, a captain of the British Royal Navy’s HMS Carysfort; and
WHEREAS, July 31 commemorates the day that Admiral Richard Darton Thomas of the British Royal Navy ordered the Union Jack (Union Flag) to be removed and replaced with the Hawaiian flag, ending over five months of unauthorized military occupation; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawai‘i recognizes that there is a need to honor, support, and cherish this significant day in Hawai‘i’s history; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 8, Holidays, of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes designates certain days for the purpose of celebration, honor, remembrance, public education, and awareness; and
WHEREAS, July 31 should be known and designated as “La Ho‘iho‘i Ea” in recognition of the day independence was restored to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, provided this day is not and shall not be construed to be a State holiday; now, therefore,
The measure drew lots of testimony from subjects of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The discussion also hit home for some councilmembers who have deep roots on the island.
The entire council voted to pass the resolution, which will go to the full council for a vote in the next few weeks.
[Note: I know Ed Rampell from back in the Ohana Council days, and with his knowledge of Hawaii film history (having written multiple books on the subject, as noted in the mini-bio at the bottom) and being familiar with Hawaiian independence movement for almost three decades, he is uniquely suited to offer a meaningful review of theme ‘Aloha’ related specifically to the role Bumpy and the movement plays in the movie. Here’s his review…]
A lynch mob is attacking writer/director Cameron Crowe’s new movie Aloha, which opened May 29. The 2014 leaking of confidential messages after Sony Pictures Entertainment executives’ email accounts were hacked (allegedly by North Koreans angered by The Interview) revealed critical comments of Aloha by anxious execs. The Media Action Network for Asian Americans observed that Aloha‘s cast is too white for a movie shot in Hawaii, where Caucasians are a minority. The 50th state’s film commissioner complained Aloha‘s title misappropriated the spiritual meaning of that word, which translates as “love,” “hello” and “farewell.” Even panelists on Fox News’ “The Five” – a program specializing in aggressive imbecility- debated Aloha.
Introducing a May 26 advance screening at a Los Angeles theater, Crowe seemed to dismiss his detractors, pithily saying, “Lots has been heard from people who have never seen the movie.” In any case, the most controversial thing about Aloha may be Crowe’s casting of Hawaiian independence leader Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele. Despite the typical Hollywood disclaimer during the closing credits about the motion picture’s characters being fictitious, Kanahele is very much a real person and the non-actor plays an onscreen version of himself bearing the same name.
Chad Blair has a ranging review of ‘Aloha’ movie in Civil Beat, which includes this:
In another scene, Hawaiian sovereigntist Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele — who plays Hawaiian sovereigntist Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele — is looking up at the sky from his Waimanalo compound during a downpour.
[…]
Bumpy is actually one of the best things about “Aloha.” He has a natural screen presence, and he wears a black T-shirt that reads “Hawaiian by Birth” on the front and “American by Force” on the back.
That’s another worthwhile thing about “Aloha.” While it never goes too deep, those who do venture to see the film will learn more about the Hawaiian independence movement than they could possibly have anticipated. I wonder what the Hawaii Tourism Authority might have to say about all those upside-down Hawaiian state flags in the film.
Crowe also deserves kudos for trying to at least illustrate Hawaii’s critical role in the military-industrial complex, one that extends beyond our atmosphere. Oahu is one of the most militarized places on Earth — a “footprint in the Pacific,” as is noted in the film — with bases and other facilities on some of the most prime, beautiful real estate. The scenes shot on the Air Force base at Hickam capture some of that.
(By the way, those are upside down Hawaiian Kingdom flags.)
There are tons of reviews out there for the movie ‘Aloha.’ Whatever else critics may object to, they have mostly positive takes on Bumpy’s role in the film, and how his character (basically playing himself) is treated respectfully, and conveys a genuine voice about Hawaiian issues, history and culture.
But I want to draw your attention to this blog post by Shay Chan Hodges, who brings a somewhat inside perspective on the filming of the movie and the issues it takes on, including the failure of Bank of America to live up to its still outstanding commitments to the Hawaiian people.
With Aloha, Cameron Crowe made a heartfelt effort to present a cultural narrative that has not been attempted before in a star-studded Hollywood production. The scenes with Bumpy and other residents of the village are the most authentic depictions of what Hawaii looks like, sounds like, and feels like of any feature film I’ve seen. In a review in The Atlantic entitled, “Aloha‘s Hawaii Shoots for Magic and Realism,” Lenika Cruz writes:
Kanahele speaks on his own turf and in his own words with Gilchrist and Ng about the problems and concerns of native Hawaiians, before inviting them to eat and drink with the rest of the community. It’s a touching, if short-lived, vignette that indisputably stems from genuine reverence and compassion for the people of Hawaii. Besides, when was the last time a major motion picture even glanced at the lives of America’s indigenous people with something other than mockery?
When it comes to cultural sensitivity, Aloha has been criticized for its title, lack of Asian representation, and Emma Stone being cast as a mixed-race character. Yet, the people I sat with in the theater two weeks ago shared the rare experience of seeing their realities reflected in a major motion picture — including ongoing tensions between the struggle for sovereignty and the power of multinational corporations that operate as if they are above the law.
In a move to maintain its neutrality, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is handing off responsibility for the final stage of its nation-building campaign to a new group that will independently administer an election of delegates, convention and final ratification vote.
Na’i Aupuni, a group of five volunteer and unpaid directors with ties to Hawaiian royalty, has been given nearly $2.6 million originally earmarked for the effort aimed at moving Native Hawaiians a step closer to self-determination as authorized by the state under Act 195.
Director Crowe calls ‘Aloha’ his ‘love letter’ to the isles
By Ed Rampell / Special to the Star-Advertiser
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 28, 2015
Native Hawaiian sovereignty activist Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, left, with Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone in a scene from “Aloha” that was shot at Kanahele’s Waimanalo compound. The film opens Friday.
LOS ANGELES » “Aloha” writer-director Cameron Crowe made a surprise appearance at an advance screening of his new film Tuesday in Los Angeles, calling it his “love letter to Hawaii.”
The romantic comedy starring Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams, and featuring Native Hawaiian sovereignty activist Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, has met with considerable controversy even before its release Friday. Some Native Hawaiians, including Hawaii State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson, slammed the film for its title, saying “aloha” has a deep spiritual meaning and the movie’s use of it perpetuates misrepresentations of Hawaiian culture. Additionally, the Media Action Network for Asian Americans complained about the dearth of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the story about a celebrated military contractor who returns to Hawaii and reconnects with a former love while unexpectedly falling for his Air Force escort.
Local participants say the movie ‘Aloha’ deserves its name
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
By Mindy Pennybacker
The long, tall pavilion with a peaked roof could have been a canoe hale if it weren’t sitting high up in a mountain valley like an ark left by a receding flood. It had been left behind, actually, by the Hollywood production company that created it as a set for a luau in the Cameron Crowe film “Aloha,” which opens Friday.
The valley is Pu’uhonua o Waimanalo, nicknamed “Bumpy’s Village” after Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, leader of the Nation of Hawaii, a sovereignty organization that leases the 45 acres from the state.
During the United States’ Universal Periodic Review before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, on May 11 a question was raised by Pakistani representatives regarding the status of Hawaii and Alaska, suggesting that Alaska and Hawaii are situations that come under international law, not US domestic law.
Below is an update from Leon Siu giving all the background and implications of this event, along with a press release from The Alaska-Hawaii Alliance for Self-Determination.
And here’s an article (in Spanish) from RT Sepa Más based on the press release, and here’s the English translation (via Google Translate).
(Also, I want to mirror what Leon says at the end about the late Kaiopua Fyfe, who passed earlier this month. Kekula worked with Kaiopua in the international realm 20 years ago. He was a genuinely warm and kind man. I was very touched that he and Sabra came to Kipahulu for Kekula’s funeral services in 2013. I send my deep aloha out to Kaiopua and Sabra and their families.)
Ke Aupuni Update
May 19, 2015
Keeping in touch and updated on activities regarding the restoration of Ke Aupuni o Hawaii, the Hawaiian Kingdom. Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono.
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A Breakthrough at the UN in Geneva
Aloha kakou.
Sorry I have been out of communication for so long. I was in New York for 2 weeks, then in Washington DC for 2 days, then in Geneva for 12 days. I’ll report about the exciting developments in NY and DC at another time, but for now…
I just returned home from Geneva having attended the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of the United States. I was there on behalf of the Koani Foundation and Ke Aupuni o Hawaii working in partnership with Alaskan Ambassador Ronald Barnes.
On Monday, May 11, we got the break we have been working for years to achieve! It has caused a big stir in Geneva and in the international community, but is being downplayed or ignored in the US…which also means it is being downplayed in Hawaii.
Attached is a joint Alaska-Hawaii press statement released a few days ago that explains the significance of this development. But first, let me preface it with some background.
