The Ku`e Petitions were set in motion during a very delicate time in our history of Hawaiian consciousness. It was the beginning of our Hawaiian Nation having a voice and being able to put a name to that voice. This was the beginning of our entire nation taking a stand against colonialism, being subjected to foreign domination and exploitation of another people or country. The petitions were an aggressive campaign organized by the Kanaka Maoli for the opposition of the annexation of…

What is Genetic Engineering?

Genetic engineering or “GE” is a laboratory technique used to make new kinds of plants, animal or other living organisms. This is where it gets weird and complicates this process. Using techniques to cross natural boundaries and force together DNA from any different species, such as inserting, jellyfish genes in corn plants or human genes in rice. Hawai`i has the highest recorded number of open-air experiments with genetically engineered plants in the…

In `olelo Hawai`i, the mother tongue of these islands, “wai” is water, “waiwai” means values or wealth, and “kanawai” is the law. It is no coincidences that, in an island community like ours, both wealth and the law were, and continue to be, defined by fresh water….

-From Ola I Ka Wai: Legal Primer for Water use and Land Management in Hawai`i

Beautiful Hawai`i nei and its constant struggle for land and power is all tied to water. Whether it be connected to Hydropower project…

I have been raised and taught to be a good Catholic girl. I was brought up in the Catholic faith. I attended St. Ann’s Catholic school K-8th grade then onto Sacred Hearts Academy for high school. Both sides of my families were staunch practicing Catholics. Our religious beliefs were involved in our entire decision making. We attended church every Sunday and that included all church holidays. Of course we also had church in school. I grew up experiencing that my Catholic religion went hand…