The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement
Self-Governance Through The Power of Music
Events/Protests and Music
The Waste of Paradise: Kaho'olawe Bombing
By: Frank
Kaho’olawe is the smallest of the eight main volcanic islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago. In May 1941, a Kaho’olawe Ranch signed a sublease for some parts of the island. The year 1952, the Ranch’s lease expired. After seven months the lease was signed, the Territory of Hawaii was placed under martial law. President Dwight Eisenhower, (the president during this period), Under Executive Order 10436(signed on February 20, 1953), outlined the use of the United States for naval purposes, except at least 20 acres on the southern part of the island. Kahoolawe was used as a training ground and bombing range by the Armed Forces of the United States from 1941 to 1990. After decades of protests, starting from the 1900s, the U.S. Navy finally ended live-fire training exercises on Kaho’olawe in 1990, and the whole island was transferred to the jurisdiction of the state of Hawaii in 1994. The Hawaii State Legislature established the Kahoolawe Island Reserve to restore and to oversee the island and its surrounding waters. Today Kaho’olawe can be used only for native Hawaiian cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purpose.
For further reading: http://www.civilbeat.org/2014/10/promised-land-will-kahoolawe-ever-be-saved/
Protesters: George Helm (https://kingdomofhawaii.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/george-helm-a-hawaiian-legacy-by-kamuela-vance/)
Videos: https://vimeo.com/109292774
U.S Apology to Hawaii
By: Jacob
The restoration of land back to the native Hawaiians happened through the Apology Act. The Apology Act was congress and President Bill Clinton that signed a bill stating that they were sorry for the legislature that came in and overthrew the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was signed November 23, 1993 and was more than just an apology. As part of the bill they granted 200,000 acres of land back to anyone who could prove that they were at least 50% native Hawaiian. However, the land that they gave to them was land that was already promised to them years before the Act was signed. The Hawaiians were grateful to finally get land but they were not impressed by how it was promised to them 70 years prior to the Apology Act. And before the land was given back to the people it was just locked up and not used for anything.
Sources Used:
https://www.hawaii-nation.org/publawsum.html
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/11/hawaiian-natives-waiting-for-land.html
https://www.hawaii-nation.org/publawall.html
 Front Page of Tribune Herald |
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 What the TMT would have looked like |
 Protestors Arrest of Mauna Kea |
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Ryan Hiraoka, Local singer and songwriter, released “Rise Up Hawaiian People” on April 4, 2015 featuring Keala Kawaauhau, a member of Sudden Rush. Both singers rap and sing in both Hawaiian and English fighting against the 180 foot tall telescope being constructed on ancestral and sacred land of Mauna Kea(Big Island). The beginning specifically says “E nā Hawaiʻi mai a Niʻihau a hiki i ka moku o Keawe, ʻo kēia ka manawa a kākou e kū haʻaheo, e kū no ka Mauna a Wākea.” In english, it means “Hawaii from Niʻihau to the district of Kiawe, this is the time we all must stand proud, stand for Mauna Kea.” Hiraoka then goes into the chorus, “Rise up, rise up, rise up Hawaiian people, we must unit and fight against evil.” This line specifically created confusion amongst some people. Many thought they were calling science “evil” but Hiroaka announced on a comment of the youtube video saying that no, it’s not science that is evil, but the money and the politics are. The sole purpose of this song is to inspire and educate.
Download it for free at rubbahslippahproductions.com.
Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOcQLj_6UYo&list=RDLOcQLj_6UYo
Source Used/for further reading: http://kaleoonakoa.org/opinions/2015/04/18/lost-in-the-shuffle-rise-up-for-mauna-a-wakea/
Aole TMT - The Sacred Mauna Kea
By: Kaycee
TMT also known as Thirty Meter Telescope is a large segmented mirror reflecting telescope. The United States announced that this telescope should be built on Big Island's Mauna Kea, one of the most sacred land/mountain in Native Hawaiian culture/religion. Protested first started in October 2014 but gradually started growing in larger numbers by April 2015. Protesters would block the roadway to stop the construction of TMT and 31 of them got arrested. On April 2, 2015, 300 protesters were gathered near the visitor's center where 12 people were arrested. 11 more protesters were arrested by local police at the summit. The protest started to become statewide ad almost everyone I the Pacific Islands were talking about it. Governor Ige announced that the project was being temporarily postponed until at least April 20, 2015. Finally on December 2, 2015, the Supreme Court of Hawaii invalidated building permits on Mauna Kea. December 16 of 2015 was the day the TMT corporation removed all construction vehicles and equipment and left. This is important because it shows that the Native Hawaiians have made progress. Because it is so recent, it shows that the united states shouldn't control the land of Hawaii and that after many years of the overthrow, they still want their land back. Events like these has a way of showing that Hawaii can govern their own land without the help of the United States and will continue to put up a fight until they reach their goal.
Sources Used: http://www.maunakeaandtmt.org/
https://www.protectmaunakea.org/
For Further Reading: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/hawaii-telescope-protests-tmt-mauna-kea_n_7044164.html