thank you very much for your immediate response.
No, I didn´t check out the website "www.hawaiianstatehood.com" as my internet browser tells me, that this site doesn´t exist. (?)
Nevertheless, I have quite a number of questions for you. Given that you are probably pretty busy I really don´t expect you to reply right away (but you can obviously *:D*) - I just wanted to let you know that you can wait for a quiet moment to answer them.
What are the reasons for supporters of the Sovereignty Movement / Independence Movement not to want Hawaii to belong to the US anymore (for example I have seen some pictures on facebook where you and a group of people did a demonstration (?) with a banner that said "free hawaii" - why? What kind of government do you want instead? What would be better if Hawaii were free ?) ??
What is your personal opinion on statehood ? (Are you in favor of it or not ? Why?)
Is statehood an overall blessing or curse in your personal opinion ? What arguments come to your mind for either side ?
What do you know about the situation of native Hawaiians ? (Did they lose all of their land ? …)
Have you noticed any examples of Americanization in Hawaii ?
Is the Hawaiian culture being pushed aside or even being replaced by the U.S. american ?
Thank you so much in advance,
yours truly,
Ramona
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Aloha ia oe e Mona:
I am very happy to share my mana'o with you. I have been cognizant that I am a Hawaii national since I was about 8 yrs old; that was about 60 years ago. Fortunately, for me, I have learned a lot from my na kupuna; add my research to reaffirm my personal/individual stance on this subject. I grew up in a period where there was a serious cultural clash that was exasperating for me. Back then I was riduculed and discounted and I felt alone in my beliefs outside of my na kupuna of whom I was raised.
This is not a question of not wanting to belong to the United States of America since the still existing Kingdom of Hawaii is still under belligerent occupation of the U.S.A. and never belonged to the U.S.A.; today the Hawaii nationals through a popular mandate will be able to amend the Kingdom's constitution to reform the type of governance they choose. One should familiarize oneslef to the intyernational law of occupation for clarity. The continued independence of Hawaii will mean a direct and complete control of our nation and governance with relations through the international arena which we had possessed prior to the U.S. takeover rather than com[lete control by the U.S. and its military.
The Kingdom of Hawaii was one of the most progressive and richest country per capita of its heyday. It had a constitutional monarchy which was democratic and gave the rights to all citizens and protected the rights of foreigners within its country as well. The contributions of the Kingdom was tremendous internationally as it actively participated within the Family of Nations as preferred by the monarchs of Hawaii. It was the first nation not being a western country to join the family of nations; this was prior to Turkey joining the League of Nations which was the front-runner of the United Nations.
Go to hawaiiankingdom.org for a more comprehensive understanding of the Kingdom of Hawaii. this will clarify the definitions of international laws as they pertain to the kingdom. I wished I had this link while growing up so I could use the proper terminology of what I understood.
Growing up, I was dead-set against statehood and objected to no choice for (REGAINED) independence. The letters to the editor never printed my point of view (no matter how many times I wrote to them). I knew there were others who felt the same way I did through conversations I had with people. I was 16 years old when statehood was declared; I was very angry about it and cursed the U.S.A. for what it did against our wishes. There was no choice except to remain a U.S. territory or become a state. The advantage was taxation with representation. Prior to that Hawaii was considered a foreign country without a voice in the U.S.A. regarding issues within Hawaii and we were being taxed by the U.S. and the territory without a voice to protect ourselves from the American greed and double-standard justice and racism which pretty much still exists today.
The Polynesian-Hawaiian mainstream society is ignored and supplanted by the U.S. racist WASP mainstream society. Their society offers me death and being inconsequential to its preference and subjugation. Their so-called Christian intolerance is unacceptable. I have learned to walk the cultural tightrope for 68 years; much to my dismay. I never wanted statehood which is unlawful, immoral, and makes a mockery of justice, freedom, democracy, and personal honor and integrity. It's living a lie.
Hawaii nationals whether kanaka maoli or non-kanaka maoli have lost their land, nation, and human rights; no question about that. Some of your questions are redundant; however, I believe I have answered your questions from a personal point of view. Hawaii was always considered expendable by the U.S.A. for their purpose and that feeling still exists today. The Hollywood/Disney expression of our culture and stereo-typical people permeates Hawaii and their notions within the U.S.A.
I was raised to know the difference between right and wrong. Should I now disregard them because its resigned compliance and convenience and for the U.S.A. to save face with their criminal activity? I don't hate ka po'e melika for I know they love their country as much as we do; but their country has to do what is right and pono. If we make mistakes; it's our kuleana to fix them; there is no shame in it as long as we do it honorably. I am confident of our Lahui as the U.S. citizens are of their governance. The Hawaiian philosophy of adopting, adapting, and being adept within our Polynesian-Hawaiian society is a plus; no matter how one looks at it. I believe in it and stand by it as my na kupuna has in the past. They spoke and I answered.
Tane
Comments
Aloha kaua e Kaohi.
Is it a utopian fantasy World to enquire what will happen the thousands laid off from the dockyards at Pearl when the U.S. military withdraw? What viable alternatives in terms of job creation do you suggest be generated?
The military Occupation has some 18,000 local employees dependent on an a weekly paycheck to support their respective 'ohana, upon de-Occupation what economic stimulations do you envisage?
The Sovereignty Movement began with Gail Prejean and others great brothers and sisters. The need to stop the military from bombing the hell out of Kahoolawe was painful. The realities of the US Military poisoning our aina and all living things in the Pacific hit us like a sledg hammer. All other reasons why started to unfold that the US leave Hawaii.
For some Hawaiian Nationals (myself) it's US Military or Pacific Islanders in the 2050 period. This assertion rose out of a bed of money and power two hundred years ago. To be specific the Hay Stack Committee of crazies. Back to self-determination land and water usage and still tied to the limitations of Sovereignty-- we shifted the outlook of the Hawaiian Movement to the point of origin 'Liliu'! The Illegal Imprisonment of Liliu was a history not forgotten, but asserted in 1993. For me the Independence movement began with Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell for I can still remember him thundering down the hall "...Independence..." at UH Manoa. The whole 'decolonization' slowed the momentum down for Independence...it was also a catch up for those that lagged behind in the Hawaiian Movement. Keanu Sai, joined in with his Hague and International assertion. The Free Hawaii, from my perspective is simultaneously with Wars abroad. I'm coming from the idea of Free Tibet and the Dalai Lama movement and non violence.
As for statehood, when Pono Kealoha asked my father about his feelings on Statehood, he said "it means taking all the land that's what statehood means to me."
Statehood meant that the powers meaning the military and the local politicians were in partnerships to build up the US Armed Forces in the Pacific. It meant continuation with military toxicity of it's Pacific Islanders throughout the Oceania.
Native Hawaiians DHHL (HHC) will loose their 200,000 acers to the Veterans Rehabilitation Act.
Americanization of our shorelines, our education, our banks, our mom and pop stores, our air space, our flora, our fauna, our culture values, everything that smells bad to put it bluntely. Did I know pristen environments--yes!
The Hawaiian community are given two choices..leave or live!
Mona your Utopian fantasy need a reality check! The US military wants all of Hawaii and Micronesia at any cost. We want peace in the world and a quality of life for our children. We just have to work harder for Independence from the US Armed Forces and --demilitarize Hawaii.
Aloha 'oukou e Hawai'i kena.
The question was posed "What would be better if Hawai'i were free?" The answer given as an opinion is somewhat nebulous.
Where does one go for resources for answers? They are sparsely available if at all.
By way of viewpoint Hawaiian Nationals have the opportunity to consider some of the options at Thomas Square at the end of this month on Hawaiian Independence Restoration Day July 31st.
We know where the Independence Movement came from, where it stands right now, but what of the future? There is an old maxim: "If you do not know where you are going (i.e. destination) you will probably never arrive."
The Sovereignty Movement does not appear to have a Master Plan or blueprint for the future on what exactly Independence would be composed of in terms of economics. It would be helpful if this were enhanced through a regular bi-annual gathering of the various Sovereignty groups and kupuna island-wide.
The Global Greens for example have such a manifesto drawing on Green Party Constitutions from around the World. It is available by clicking here:
http://www.globalgreens.org/globalcharter
It is an exciting manifesto to read as it has the capability to agitate the public imagination, surely the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement can do likewise locally given such a Master Plan.
-Aloha.