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.

By Scott Crawford, Hana, Maui

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Talk Story Briefing – Free Hawaii Progress Report May 28

Talk Story Flyer Na Mea 7 copy

Pakistan raises question about status of Hawaii during U.S. Universal Periodic Review at UN Human Rights Council

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.

Continue reading Pakistan raises question about status of Hawaii during U.S. Universal Periodic Review at UN Human Rights Council

Bumpy Kanahele in Aloha the movie

The movie “Aloha” deals centrally with the issue of Hawaiian sovereignty, and Bumpy Kanahele plays a prominent role in the movie, which was filmed on location at Pu’uhonua o Waimanalo village (where Kekula and I lived for a while 20 years ago when it was first founded). Reports by those involved from the screening in Honolulu last week were quite positive. It will open in theaters on May 29. I think it’s going to be a lot bigger deal in bringing attention to the issue than most people realize. Here’s a trailer with Bumpy in it (starting at 2:02).

 

Sai & Gumapac in Wailuku

Sai-Gumapac-Wailuku

Queen’s statue dates corrected

The dates on the Queen’s statue have finally been updated to accurately reflect her continued status as Queen until her death in 1917.

Queen Statue

OHA meeting on Mauka Kea livestream

Livestreaming now, for those interested:  http://oiwi.tv/Live/

(h/t Lynette C)

Kū Kiaʻi Mauna March – Honolulu 04.21.15

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Swiss Newspaper covers Hawaii War Crimes case

On the Hawaiian Kingdom Government blog, Keanu Sai has this:

In its Sunday edition (April 19, 2015) on page 12, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) a Swiss German language daily newspaper published in Zurich, broke the story of war crimes committed by the United States in Hawai‘i. NZZ has a reputation as a quality newspaper and as the Swiss newspaper of record, the newspaper is known for its detailed reports on international affairs, stock exchange, and the intellectual, in-depth style of its articles.

The post provides the English translation of the article. Here’s the intro:

The authorities of the Federal Judiciary are confronted with a strange case, which has the potential of straining the relations between Switzerland and the USA. What is to be clarified is nothing less than the question of whether in the view of the [Swiss] Confederation Hawaii is recognized in accordance with international law as the 50th Federal State of the USA, or whether the Kingdom of Hawaii rather still exists – albeit since 1898 under occupation.

Bombs in Paradise Symposium

Bombs Pacific symposium flyer

Ku Kia’i Mauna at ‘Iolani Palace