E Ala E

Cry for the gods, cry for the people,

cry for the land that was taken away...

~ Israel Kamakawiwo'ole ~

I've been thinking a lot lately about Hawaiian Sovereignty. 

I recently read the text of Public Law 103-150, a formal declaration of the U.S. Congress, made in 1993, apologizing for the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. Although I have a rough understanding of the complex political history of the Hawaiian islands, I only recently learned for myself of this formal acknowledgement of the U.S. role in the overthrow. Although politicians and academics continue to debate the full accuracy of the conclusions written into this resolution, it provides a fascinating overview of the events of that time.

There is no disputing certain facts, however. Namely that in the first 100 years of contact with the outside world, the Hawaiians were dealt a series of near fatal blows, mostly at the hands of western powers including the United States with a supporting role played by various asian countries. First sailors, both merchant and military, exploited the islands as their personal shore-leave playground, spreading diseases, venereal and otherwise, and lawlessness. Then, Christian missionaries came to convert the population, and while these dedicated but often misguided men and women did good things, they also succeeded in suppressing the culture and customs of the people in the name of God. Meanwhile, western business interests, recognizing the unique resources of the islands, conspired to dominate them financially and succeeded in a land-grab of awesome proportions. As these events unfolded, leprosy began to ravage the islands, probably introduced by some sailor, or possibly from other immigrants, several years before.

How could any nation survive the simultaneous destruction of their populace from disease, the quashing of much of their culture, and the theft of so much of their land? Truly, the level of interference in the affairs of these people was overwhelming, even by the standards of the day.

Today, there are a number of Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination movements of various forms. There is even legislation circulating in the U.S. government regarding the establishment of some form of native Hawaiian government. This legislation is known as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007. 

I can think of nothing more damaging to the restoration of Hawaii as an independent, sovereign nation than this bill. It would create a solely race-based tribal government similar to that which has been granted to native-American tribes. Does anyone really believe that the separate and unequal governments granted these tribes in any way compensates them for the genocide and theft of their homelands perpetrated by an aggressive, young United States? But despite this, there is no logical way that native-American tribes could be restored without the destruction of the United States as a national entity. Regardless of what crimes were committed, the deed is done, and we cannot go back.

But the situation is completely different in Hawai'i, and trying to force parallels between it and that of native-American tribes is damaging to the Hawaiian cause. A Hawaiian nation could be restored. Not some parallel, tribal system based on a model a 1,000 years and 2,000 miles removed, not on the often violent, religion-based kapu system of pre-1778 Hawaii, but on the vibrant, democratic, multi-cultural constitutional monarchy that Hawaii was evolving into prior to 1893.

I know the line of unifying Hawaiian kings starting with Kamehameha I would prefer to see the Hawaiian nation become a jewel in the Pacific, welcoming all who succumb to her unique charms. They would categorically reject the permanent sequestration of native-Hawaiians within the walls of a homeland dominated by a foreign power, yet this is precisely what the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act would do. To any future Hawaiian citizens of any race I say, don't give up, and don't settle for racist legislation that side-steps the unique and complex heritage of this amazing land.