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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Akaka faces new challenges in Senate

Star-Bulletin article considers the effect of the loss of Democrat’s supermajority in the Senate on the fate of the Akaka bill:

Although its author expresses optimism that the Akaka Bill will pass this year, the loss of the Democrats’ supermajority in the Senate and last-minute changes to the bill that fueled objections in Hawaii may pose significant hurdles during this ninth try.
[…]
House approval, achieved twice before, again is expected.

The difficulty remains in the Senate, which, already bogged down in health care, energy and fiscal legislation, now is reacting to the special election in Massachusetts, in which a Republican railing against big government, back-room dealing and special interests won the seat held for decades by liberal lion Edward Kennedy.

Before Kennedy’s death and Brown’s election, the Akaka Bill enjoyed the support of all 60 Senate Democrats and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. So Akaka’s office insists it should still have the necessary 60 votes, even without Brown.

His vote may not be essential, but Brown’s election has drastically changed the climate in Washington. Democrats facing midterm elections are running scared, once beleaguered Republicans are feeling newly powerful, and any legislation lacking bipartisan support is suddenly a much tougher sell.

It’s hard to imagine that the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act will be a high priority outside the Hawaii delegation in such a topsy-turvy political environment, and the lack of transparency surrounding the late changes in the Senate version may come to haunt its author.

Hoʻokahi Lahui Hawaii ‘HEAR US ROAR’

Identity and Hawai’i’s De-occupation

Who: Everyone
What: A discussion on “Identity and Hawai’i’s De-occupation”
When: Sunday, January 24th, 2010 from 10am to 12pm
Where: Na mea Hawaii/Native Books-1050 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 1000
`Ewa end of Ward Warehouse.  Parking is free.
Why: to hold a forum where we can speak freely on issues that matter
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2010
Contact: Maleko Swearingen
Phone: (808) 861-2722
Email: swearingster@gmail.com
 
Please come and join us for a FREE monthly roundtable discussion about the future of Hawaii at Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii.  This month Pōkā Laenui will lead us in a discussion on “Identity and Hawai’i’s De-occupation”.  Join us in learning about the difference between national and ethnic identity.  This hot topic will address the often avoided question of “What will happen to all the non-native Hawaii residents when Hawai’i is de-occupied?”  Come to listen, learn and engage in meaningful discussion!  All views are welcome.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Overthrow anniversary coverage

KITV: Tense Anniversary for Overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom

Advertiser: Hawaiians mark key event in Hawaii history

Star-Bulletin: Groups observe fall of monarchy

Slide Show from Saturday at the Palace

Lynette has a great slide show from Saturday’s Hookahi Lahui Hawaii gathering at Iolani Palace and Onipaa Art & Poetry exhibit at Hawaii State Library.

Sovereignty Sunday marches and programs

From Terri Kekoolani…

Spoke with Lynette & Andre. Here’s what I have from our conversation.
There are two marches tomorrow.

LONO MAKUA procession – meet at Kanewai Lo’i at 8am, march to Kamehameha Statue starts at 9am. Per Andre, you can dress traditional if you choose to.
Per Andre ” We will merge with Palani Vaughn ma at Kamehameha statue around 11:00am and enter palace grounds together for symbolic holopuni around palace, ending at ‘ahu for ceremony.”
Henry Noa/Palani Vaughn lead Ho’okahi Lahui march – meet 9am at Thomas Square, march starts soon after. March ends at Kamehameha statue around 11am. Here is the route.
http://www.hookahilahuihawaii.org/uploads/HLH_Route_Map.pdf
Both marches converge at the Kamehameha Statue around 11am.  Marchers will enter Iolani Palace together through the makai gate.

There are two program sites but one gathering at the Iolani Palace: one at the Ahu and one on the ewa side of the Iolani Palace.  For those who want to kokua and defend the Tent at the Ahu, walk straight over to the Ahu. People anticipate DLNR law enforcement officers will be there to confiscate Uncle George’s tent that covers the food and the Queen’s display. Someone will give us instructions at the Ahu what to do. There will also be ceremony for Lono Makua at the Ahu.

Palani & Henry will have their Ho’okahi Lahui program on the Ewa side of Iolani Palace. The program goes from 11am to 2pm according to Lynette.

According to Lynette her Reinactment play will be around 2pm at the Kaiana Bldg.

At the AHU, Uncle George will have a puppet show around 2pm.

Ho'okahi Lahui Hawaii - starting tonight

From Lynette Cruz…

Here is a schedule of events for Ho’okahi Lahui Hawaii.
Also check the website at theonenation.org or hookahilahuihawaii.org.
Friday, January 15th 7:00pm to 9:00pm
There will be a special showing of “Noho Hewa – The Wrongful Occupation of Hawaii” at Thomas Square at 7:00pm. Food and drink will be provided and you can bring potluck.
Sunday, January 17th
Schedule for Ho’okahi Lahui Hawaii March
9:00 March leaves Thomas Square
Moves along Beretania Street
– Pause in front of the capitol rotunda
Palani Vaughn to meet them
– Ceremony at the queens statue
– then east to Punchbowl and to King St
Go to Kawaiahao Church for small delegation
To put ho’okupu at King Liholiho’s tomb
– proceed to Kamehameha statue
– then enter front gates of Iolani Palace
(open at 10:30am – will be closed after march enters palace)
– Formal ceremony at the gazebo
NOTE:
Permit is only for the left side of the palace grounds
No activity is supposed to be on the right side

U S of Hypocrisy: The Movie

U S of Hypocrisy: The Movie

Documentary about the effect of American imperialism in Hawaii and what can be done about it.

Airing on Olelo Community Media, Livestreaming at www.olelo.org

Available 24 hrs after 2/11/10 at Olelonet On Demand

2/8/10      Mon          9:30 am  NATV 53

2/11/10    Thu           9:00 am  NATV 53

2/12/10    Fri             7:30 pm  NATV 53

2/22/10    Mon          6:00 pm  FOCUS 49

Akaka Bill 2nd OHA TV special

Reminder that the second of OHA’s two live TV specials about the “Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009” (aka Akaka Bill) will be on tonight. From OHA’s press release:

The second show will broadcast on Thursday, January 14, at 7 p.m. on KITV and will feature the legal implications of the bill before a panel of legal experts.  Both shows will also be streamed live on KITV.com.

Experts at the Palace Lecture Series

In the Honolulu Weekly Ragner Carlson has a Q&A with Spencer Leineweber to preview the launch of the “Experts at the Palace” lecture series today

This week marks the launch of the Experts at the Palace lecture series at ‘Iolani Palace. Presented by the University of Hawaii’s Historic Preservation Program, this year’s series focuses on the Hawaiian monarchy and the kingdom. The first event, set for Thursday at noon, features a talk by Spencer Leineweber, a historical architect and graduate chair of the UH-Manoa architecture program. Leineweber’s presentation is titled, “Rituals of Place: Palaces of the Kamehameha Monarchy,” and she gave the Weekly a preview of her talk earlier this week.

Here’s the full schedule:

  • Jan 14 – Spencer Leineweber, “Rituals of Place: Palaces of the Kamehameha Monarchy”
  • Jan 21 – Stuart Ching “Iolani Palace and the British Country House”
  • Jan 28 – Yongthanit Pimosathean “A Compromise of East and West: King Rama V and the Design of Chakkri Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, Bangkok”
  • Feb 4 – Neil Dukas “The Military Forces of King Kalakaua’s Reign”
  • Feb 11 – Niklaus Schweizer “Kalakaua’s Foreign Policy”
  • Feb 18 – Nanette Napoleon “The Royal Mausoleum”