Meet the native Hawaiians fighting U.S. occupation | AJ+

Summary

The video explores the Native Hawaiian sovereignty movement, focusing on the village of Refuge of Waimanalo, led by Bumpy Kanahele. Established after an occupation protesting the U.S. overthrow of Hawaii in 1893, the village represents efforts to reclaim native culture and independence. Despite modern struggles with basic needs like power and water, the community holds onto their identity and sovereignty. The video highlights the broader movement to restore native Hawaiian traditions and sovereignty while emphasizing the ongoing pain and impact of U.S. occupation on the islands.

Takeaways

• 🌺 The video explores a side of Hawaii often unseen by tourists, highlighting the working-class and native communities far from luxury hotels and shops.
• 🗣️ Locals in Hawaii argue that the islands are still occupied by the US and have been for 124 years, with a strong push for Hawaiian sovereignty.
• 🏞️ The video focuses on Waimanalo, a village established by the Nation of Hawaii, a sovereignty group advocating for independence.
• 📜 The US formally apologized in 1993 for its role in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, but many native Hawaiians feel their sovereignty has never been relinquished.
• 🏝️ Bumpy Kanahele, leader of the Nation of Hawaii, and his group occupied a beach for over a year in the 1990s, leading to a 55-year lease on 45 acres of land for their village.
• 🌿 The sovereignty movement is tied to cultural revival, with native Hawaiians reclaiming traditions, including language, dance, and traditional farming techniques.
• 💧 The village is off the grid, with limited electricity and challenges like shared power and ongoing efforts to secure water from nearby mountains.
• 📚 Despite the movement's influence, practical issues remain. Residents of the sovereignty village, such as 20-year-old Philipo, attend school outside of the village due to state laws.
• 🌍 Bumpy views his village as a model for Hawaiian self-determination, but the struggle for independence and recognition remains ongoing.
• 🇺🇸 Some native Hawaiians express a desire to educate Americans about Hawaii’s history, though there's recognition that the US is dealing with its own internal issues.

Q & A

What is the significance of Waimānalo in the sovereignty movement?

Waimānalo is a stronghold of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. It is home to a village called Refuge of Waimānalo, established by a sovereignty group called the Nation of Hawaii, where locals actively promote native Hawaiian rights and self-determination.

How did the Nation of Hawaii obtain the land for the village?

The Nation of Hawaii secured 45 acres of land after occupying a popular beach for over a year. In the 1990s, the state of Hawaii granted them a 55-year lease as part of a deal where the group ended their occupation.

What was the role of the US in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy?

In 1893, the US Naval forces supported American sugar plantation owners in overthrowing Hawaii's Queen. The provisional government that followed ceded Hawaii’s sovereignty to the US, which then embarked on a campaign to suppress native Hawaiian culture.

How do native Hawaiians describe what happened in 1893?

Many native Hawaiians, including members of the sovereignty movement, describe the events of 1893 as 'genocide,' referring to the systematic destruction of their culture and way of life.

What was the significance of the 1993 US apology to Hawaii?

The 1993 US apology acknowledged the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and admitted that native Hawaiians had never relinquished their sovereignty. This provided a legal and moral foundation for ongoing sovereignty movements.

What cultural changes have occurred in Hawaii alongside the sovereignty movement?

As part of the sovereignty movement, native Hawaiians have reclaimed traditions that were once suppressed. These include teaching the Hawaiian language, practicing traditional dance, getting tattoos using ancient techniques, and promoting traditional farming and food-making.

How does Bumpy Kanahele view the sovereignty village?

Bumpy Kanahele, the leader of the Nation of Hawaii, views the sovereignty village as a model for self-determination, aiming for eventual independence. The village remains partially off the grid, and they are working on becoming fully self-sustaining.

What challenges does the sovereignty village face in terms of infrastructure?

The village is partially off the grid, with limited access to electricity and water. Residents share power from 200-amp boxes, which limits their ability to use appliances like stoves or blow dryers simultaneously. They are also working on securing a water supply from the mountains.

What impact has the sovereignty movement had on broader Hawaiian society?

The sovereignty movement has had a significant impact, including the revival of the Hawaiian language and the establishment of native Hawaiian agencies that promote health, wellness, and education for native communities.

What message does Bumpy Kanahele have for Americans?

Bumpy Kanahele is hesitant to directly address Americans, noting that the US is currently facing its own internal struggles. However, he stresses that Hawaii’s own struggles with the US are not yet resolved, and there is still much to settle.