HAWAIIAN CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
COLONIALISM IN HAWAII
"I never knew what this was."
COLONIALISM IN HAWAII
"I never knew what this was."
Colonialism, as the Tribunal Komike states, "is foreign domination, subjugation and exploitation of another people's country. It undermines a people's national identity, traditions, and culture." (1998) Hawaii has undoubtedly been dominated by the United States for a century and a half, our people and resources subjugated and exploited. An important part of that subjugation was the taking away of our 'olelo maoli – our real language.
Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o explains that, "economic and political control can never be complete without mental control." (Ngugi 1986, 16) This mental control is achieved through, "the destruction or deliberate undervaluing of a people's culture, their arts, dances, religions, history, geography, education, orature (oral traditions), and literature, with the conscious elevation of the language of the colonizer." (Ngugi 1986, 16)
When the U.S.-identified oligarchy ended Hawaiian language public schools in 1986, they ripped out the bridge to our kupuna, the bridge of our understanding of ourselves as a people with a proud past. A generation then grew up for the first time ignorant of the language and mo'olelo of their grandparents who lived through the devastating losses in epidemics, denigration of all their customs, and loss of their Nation. Ngugi has called this experience a cultural bomb. "The effect of a cultural bomb is to annihilate a people's belief in their names, in their languages, in their environment, in their heritage of struggle, in their unity, in their capacities and ultimately in themselves. It makes them see their past as one wasteland of non-achievement and it makes them want to distance themselves from that wasteland." (1986, 3)
-- compiled by Nalani Minton and Noenoe Silva
Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o explains that, "economic and political control can never be complete without mental control." (Ngugi 1986, 16) This mental control is achieved through, "the destruction or deliberate undervaluing of a people's culture, their arts, dances, religions, history, geography, education, orature (oral traditions), and literature, with the conscious elevation of the language of the colonizer." (Ngugi 1986, 16)
When the U.S.-identified oligarchy ended Hawaiian language public schools in 1986, they ripped out the bridge to our kupuna, the bridge of our understanding of ourselves as a people with a proud past. A generation then grew up for the first time ignorant of the language and mo'olelo of their grandparents who lived through the devastating losses in epidemics, denigration of all their customs, and loss of their Nation. Ngugi has called this experience a cultural bomb. "The effect of a cultural bomb is to annihilate a people's belief in their names, in their languages, in their environment, in their heritage of struggle, in their unity, in their capacities and ultimately in themselves. It makes them see their past as one wasteland of non-achievement and it makes them want to distance themselves from that wasteland." (1986, 3)
-- compiled by Nalani Minton and Noenoe Silva
REFLECTIONS OF OUR PAST
"1897 Petition Against Annexation, 1945 U.N. Political Process, 1996 N. H. Political Process"
"1897 Petition Against Annexation, 1945 U.N. Political Process, 1996 N. H. Political Process"
I. The Hui Aloha - Ku'e – Petition Against Annexation 1897 – 1898
- 21, 269 petition signatures against annexation stopped the Treaty of Annexation
- President McKinley signed the Newlands Joint Resolution that provided for the annexation of Hawaii. Through the Newlands Resolution, the self declared Republic of Hawaii ceded sovereignty over the Hawaiian Islands to the United States.
- United Nations Charter – Article 73 Non Self-Governing Territories Members of the United Nations which have or assume responsibilities for the administration of territories whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self-government recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount, and accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost, within the system of international peace and security established by the present Charter, the well-being of the inhabitants of these territories, and, to this end:
a. to ensure, with due respect for the culture of the peoples concerned, their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses; - A Non-Self-governing territory can be said to have reached a full measure of self-government by: (a) emergence as a sovereign independent state, (b) free association with an independent state; or (c) integration with an independent state.
- August 1959 – The Admissions Act - A plebiscite for Statehood; "Shall Hawaii become a State of the Union, or remain a U.S. Territory?"
- In July of 1993, Governor Waihee created the Hawaiian Sovereignty Advisory Commission (HSAC) and appointed 21 members to this commission. The responsibility of HSAC in a nutshell was for the commissioners to get educated first, then present, inform and educate the native Hawaiian community including bringing in political, economic, social and cultural expertise to us. After most of the work was done by HSAC, it became the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council (HESC).
- In 1995, a question was posed to the Hawaiian community, "Shall we send delegates to a Native Hawaiian Constitutional Convention", well, over 25,000 Hawaiian voters said yes. Elections were set-up and 8,900 Hawaiian voters elected over 70 delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Two years later, majority of the delegates see, Independence as the form of government. Senator comes into the picture.
- Senator Inouye appoints 20 or more Delegates of the NHCC, to sit on his newly created federal task force. Out of that task force came the birth of the Akaka Bill. At the same time OHA stops funding the Native Hawaiian Constitutional Convention. Remaining delegates try to keep the political process moving forward, but to no avail. Native Hawaiian Constitutional Convention dissolves.
IMPACT OF THE APOLOGY RESOLUTION 1993 – 2008
"Hawaii State Supreme Court Injunction Forces Native Hawaiians to Form a Government"
"Hawaii State Supreme Court Injunction Forces Native Hawaiians to Form a Government"
1. The Apology Resolution, United States Public law 103-150 – November 23, 1993
- Reversal of the 1898 Newlands Joint Resolution
- Whereas clauses – Findings of fact and law by U.S. Congress
- Apology Resolution, Force of Law
- Ceded lands (crown, government and public) cannot be sold, exchanged or transferred until native Hawaiian claims are resolved through a "political process."
- It bars the State from prudently managing more than 1.2 million acres of state owned land – 29% of the total land area of the state and almost all the land owned by the state.
- By basing its decision primarily on federal law (Apology) the Hawaii Supreme Court improperly insulated its decision from any state-level political check.
- The federal Apology Resolution would trump any new state legislation to restore the state's land transfer authority
- The injunction will continue to hold the state hostage to the Hawaii Supreme Court's deeply flawed analysis of the federal Apology Resolution.
- Spiritual, Moral and Humanitarian support pule, oli and prayer
- Community Outreach networking, locally, nationally and internationally
- Communications, Public Relations and Media snail mail, telephones, facsimile & e-mail
radio, television, newspapers, brochures, newsletters & flyers
support locally owned, newspapers, programs etc.
- Monetary and Legal Support financial, goods and services
attorney, pro bono
- Petition Drive sign up to volunteer, support and participate
WE MUST ACT NOW
The Importance of the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention
"Dejavu, History Repeats Itself, Support and Participate in the Political Process of 2008"
The Importance of the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention
"Dejavu, History Repeats Itself, Support and Participate in the Political Process of 2008"
Whereas, the fear of losing grants and entitlements for not supporting government programs or legislation, is the biggest threat and obstacle facing the native Hawaiian people (Kanaka Maoli) to freely determine the form of government of their choosing.
Whereas, the native Hawaiian people recognize that, a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention is a political process that ensures their political, economic, social and educational advancement, their just treatment and protection against abuses.
Whereas, the native Hawaiian people, will need a substantial period of time in which they can engage freely, and without fear of threat or intimidation, in the processes of educating themselves. They need the freedom to publicly debate amongst themselves, the various options of self governance available to them. It is imperative that they also have meaningful access to the mainstream news media in Hawaii.
Whereas, the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention will automatically protect and preserve the Sovereignty of the native Hawaiian people over their National and Ancestral Lands.
Let it be known to All peoples, governments, financial institutions, multi national corporations, and affiliated entities, throughout the World, that the native Hawaiian people proclaim their right of self-determination, in accordance with Article 1 (2) of the United Nations Charter as well as the recent Hawaii State Supreme Court Injunction, on January 31, 2008.
Be It Resolved That We, the undersigned native Hawaiian and non native Hawaiian people, Hereby Declare the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention in Session, on this, 27th day of May, 2008 @ 8:PM.
Whereas, the native Hawaiian people recognize that, a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention is a political process that ensures their political, economic, social and educational advancement, their just treatment and protection against abuses.
Whereas, the native Hawaiian people, will need a substantial period of time in which they can engage freely, and without fear of threat or intimidation, in the processes of educating themselves. They need the freedom to publicly debate amongst themselves, the various options of self governance available to them. It is imperative that they also have meaningful access to the mainstream news media in Hawaii.
Whereas, the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention will automatically protect and preserve the Sovereignty of the native Hawaiian people over their National and Ancestral Lands.
Let it be known to All peoples, governments, financial institutions, multi national corporations, and affiliated entities, throughout the World, that the native Hawaiian people proclaim their right of self-determination, in accordance with Article 1 (2) of the United Nations Charter as well as the recent Hawaii State Supreme Court Injunction, on January 31, 2008.
Be It Resolved That We, the undersigned native Hawaiian and non native Hawaiian people, Hereby Declare the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention in Session, on this, 27th day of May, 2008 @ 8:PM.
Thursday, January 08, 2009 11:33 AM
Facing major challenges, Hawaiians call for Constitutional Convention
By Louise Rockett
Lahaina News
Facing major challenges, Hawaiians call for Constitutional Convention
By Louise Rockett
Lahaina News
LAHAINA - E Onipaa Kakou (Let us all be steadfast). These simple but powerful words of the proud and wise last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani, echo through the years, calling to her people today.
Saturday, Jan. 17, is the 116th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and Na Kupuna O Maui is commemorating the occasion with a petition drive for a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, educational outreach and concert at Lahaina Civic Center.
"It's also a day for the people to come together, and our theme is E Onipaa Kakou," said West Sider Jon Kinimaka, kako'o (helper) for Na Kupuna O Maui.
"We are trying through the commemoration; we are trying to fulfill the Queen's words," he added.
Concert headliners are Na Hoku Hanohano and Grammy Award winners George Kahumoku Jr. and Richard Ho'opi'i ’Äì definite draws to the event.
But the focus of the fund-raiser is the petition for a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, "a free, fair and impartial political process," the Kupuna announcement reads.
"Na Kupuna O Maui thinks the most appropriate way to commemorate this event is to unite our Hawaiian people together with an Hawaiian Constitutional Convention," explained Aunty Patty Nishiyama, spokesperson for the group of elders.
Kinimaka agrees. "I know that this is what our Queen wanted to do. Within days up to the illegal overthrow, she was going to have a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, and she wanted petitions from all parts of the kingdom. I remember reading about that, and it never got to happen."
"The Hawaiian community is looking for answers and looking for solutions and trying to make what was wrong right," he continued.
"The thing is, that I feel that this process will give everyone a chance to move forward. There has been a lot of hard work, and we want to make sure that everybody has a chance to bring their mana'o to the table. There are a lot of sovereignty organizations out there that have been striving for many years and have put a lot of work into having a government. We have more than one government out there. We want to bring them together.
"How can you argue against a fair process? You can't. I look at this as a way for the many different sovereignty organizations to continue moving forward by bringing everyone to the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention table," Kinimaka said.
Na Kupuna advisor and longtime advocate for an independent Hawaiian nation, Pu'uhonua Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, considers the timing for a constitutional convention perfect, if not essential.
The Apology Resolution, Public Law 103-150, passed through the 103rd Congress and was signed into law by President Clinton on Nov. 23, 1993. It acknowledged and apologized, on behalf of the United States government, for the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on Jan. 17, 1893.
On Jan. 31, 2008, a Hawaii Supreme Court injunction barred the State of Hawaii from selling, exchanging or transferring ceded lands.
"Because of the lack of ownership, because the state doesn't have any title over our lands, over our situation, that's how strong our claim is. When they lost in the Hawaii State Supreme Court, they went to the U.S. Supreme Court and filed a writ, a Writ of Certiorari? they (the state) want to know whether they can sell the ceded lands or not. They going to the ultimate right now," Kanahele cautioned.
"Because of all these rulings coming out, that means there is a big issue regarding Native Hawaiian claims. When you look at it, the Apology Bill, the Hawaiian State Supreme Court ruling, then they file a writ to the U.S. Supreme Court. Based on those actions, it's coming to closure, with or without us; that's the dangerous part," he doubly warned.
"You can tell that the moment is clearly here right in the front of our faces. That's what the registration of Kau Inoa is all about. That's what the Akaka Bill is all about."
He urged "the people" to attend the commemoration and sign the petition for the free, fair and political Native Hawaiian caucus.
"The whole purpose of the constitutional convention is to finally, once and for all, address the issues facing Native Hawaiians. We got some real, real deep, deep issues that need to be addressed by our people and not be representatives or misrepresentatives of our people. This is the purpose of the constitutional convention ’Äì to have all our people in a forum, which we believe is the constitutional convention, in a forum to debate and discuss all the political, economic and cultural conditions and opportunities and situations that we're in right now.
"Signing the petition, getting people more involved, educating each other, our families. Everybody needs to know this. Every Hawaiian has an interest in what is going on; they need to know that," Kanahele stressed.
Nishiyama said time is of the essence.
"With this convention, it is going to protect the future generations of our grandchildren forever and ever. The governor (Linda Lingle) right now wants to settle. They are working with OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) to settle. If we settle, that's it. We have nothing for the future generations of our grandchildren if we settle, because money will only be for a short time. It is not going to be for ten generations down the road. It is just going to feed us, make us happy a couple of years and that's it. After that, we have no legacy for our grandchildren. The land is the legacy," she commented.
Gates open at 8:30 a.m.; protocol begins at 9 a.m.
Pre-sale tickets cost $10, and admission at the gate is $15. Children under ten are free.
Tickets are available at Lahaina Music in West Maui Center, Bounty Music in Kahului on Hana Highway, or by calling 205-1034.
The event, open to the public, will feature a silent auction, Hawaiian food and lots of entertainment, including the Kahaialii 'Ohana, Kekona 'Ohana, Mele Pono, Dezman, Zacc Kekona, Unifiers and Hewahewa.
"We're going to have people there who can educate us on the water rights. We are going to bring awareness about different types of Hawaiian rights and educational scholarship opportunities for our Native Hawaiians," Kinimaka noted.
"We also invite our non-Hawaiian supporters to join us and sign the petition as well," Nishiyama said.
Saturday, Jan. 17, is the 116th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and Na Kupuna O Maui is commemorating the occasion with a petition drive for a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, educational outreach and concert at Lahaina Civic Center.
"It's also a day for the people to come together, and our theme is E Onipaa Kakou," said West Sider Jon Kinimaka, kako'o (helper) for Na Kupuna O Maui.
"We are trying through the commemoration; we are trying to fulfill the Queen's words," he added.
Concert headliners are Na Hoku Hanohano and Grammy Award winners George Kahumoku Jr. and Richard Ho'opi'i ’Äì definite draws to the event.
But the focus of the fund-raiser is the petition for a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, "a free, fair and impartial political process," the Kupuna announcement reads.
"Na Kupuna O Maui thinks the most appropriate way to commemorate this event is to unite our Hawaiian people together with an Hawaiian Constitutional Convention," explained Aunty Patty Nishiyama, spokesperson for the group of elders.
Kinimaka agrees. "I know that this is what our Queen wanted to do. Within days up to the illegal overthrow, she was going to have a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, and she wanted petitions from all parts of the kingdom. I remember reading about that, and it never got to happen."
"The Hawaiian community is looking for answers and looking for solutions and trying to make what was wrong right," he continued.
"The thing is, that I feel that this process will give everyone a chance to move forward. There has been a lot of hard work, and we want to make sure that everybody has a chance to bring their mana'o to the table. There are a lot of sovereignty organizations out there that have been striving for many years and have put a lot of work into having a government. We have more than one government out there. We want to bring them together.
"How can you argue against a fair process? You can't. I look at this as a way for the many different sovereignty organizations to continue moving forward by bringing everyone to the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention table," Kinimaka said.
Na Kupuna advisor and longtime advocate for an independent Hawaiian nation, Pu'uhonua Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, considers the timing for a constitutional convention perfect, if not essential.
The Apology Resolution, Public Law 103-150, passed through the 103rd Congress and was signed into law by President Clinton on Nov. 23, 1993. It acknowledged and apologized, on behalf of the United States government, for the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on Jan. 17, 1893.
On Jan. 31, 2008, a Hawaii Supreme Court injunction barred the State of Hawaii from selling, exchanging or transferring ceded lands.
"Because of the lack of ownership, because the state doesn't have any title over our lands, over our situation, that's how strong our claim is. When they lost in the Hawaii State Supreme Court, they went to the U.S. Supreme Court and filed a writ, a Writ of Certiorari? they (the state) want to know whether they can sell the ceded lands or not. They going to the ultimate right now," Kanahele cautioned.
"Because of all these rulings coming out, that means there is a big issue regarding Native Hawaiian claims. When you look at it, the Apology Bill, the Hawaiian State Supreme Court ruling, then they file a writ to the U.S. Supreme Court. Based on those actions, it's coming to closure, with or without us; that's the dangerous part," he doubly warned.
"You can tell that the moment is clearly here right in the front of our faces. That's what the registration of Kau Inoa is all about. That's what the Akaka Bill is all about."
He urged "the people" to attend the commemoration and sign the petition for the free, fair and political Native Hawaiian caucus.
"The whole purpose of the constitutional convention is to finally, once and for all, address the issues facing Native Hawaiians. We got some real, real deep, deep issues that need to be addressed by our people and not be representatives or misrepresentatives of our people. This is the purpose of the constitutional convention ’Äì to have all our people in a forum, which we believe is the constitutional convention, in a forum to debate and discuss all the political, economic and cultural conditions and opportunities and situations that we're in right now.
"Signing the petition, getting people more involved, educating each other, our families. Everybody needs to know this. Every Hawaiian has an interest in what is going on; they need to know that," Kanahele stressed.
Nishiyama said time is of the essence.
"With this convention, it is going to protect the future generations of our grandchildren forever and ever. The governor (Linda Lingle) right now wants to settle. They are working with OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) to settle. If we settle, that's it. We have nothing for the future generations of our grandchildren if we settle, because money will only be for a short time. It is not going to be for ten generations down the road. It is just going to feed us, make us happy a couple of years and that's it. After that, we have no legacy for our grandchildren. The land is the legacy," she commented.
Gates open at 8:30 a.m.; protocol begins at 9 a.m.
Pre-sale tickets cost $10, and admission at the gate is $15. Children under ten are free.
Tickets are available at Lahaina Music in West Maui Center, Bounty Music in Kahului on Hana Highway, or by calling 205-1034.
The event, open to the public, will feature a silent auction, Hawaiian food and lots of entertainment, including the Kahaialii 'Ohana, Kekona 'Ohana, Mele Pono, Dezman, Zacc Kekona, Unifiers and Hewahewa.
"We're going to have people there who can educate us on the water rights. We are going to bring awareness about different types of Hawaiian rights and educational scholarship opportunities for our Native Hawaiians," Kinimaka noted.
"We also invite our non-Hawaiian supporters to join us and sign the petition as well," Nishiyama said.
