Hawaiian independence (fwd)
Robert Johnson (johnsorl@COLORADO.EDU)
Tue, 20 Jun 1995 13:50:56 -0600
Friends
I have accepted Hugh and Ezra's kind offer to return to Anthro-l.
Shall we begin to deconstruct the New World Order.
Robert Johnson
SELF-DETERMINATION, SOVEREIGNTY, AND INDEPENDENCE IN HAWAI'I
January 1995
In 1893, the internationally recognized independent Kingdom of Hawaii was
overthrown in an "act of war" by the United States and the sovereignty of the
Hawaiian people was stolen.
In 1993, the United States apologized. The overthrow, annexation, and
statehood were all illegal under the United States Constitution and
international
law. Congress and the President admitted in Public Law 103-150 (the "Apology
Resolution") that "the indigenous Hawaiian people never directly relinquished
their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over their national
lands to the United States, either through their monarchy or through a
plebiscite or referendum."
As Senator Gorton from Washington stated during the Congressional debates, "the
logical consequences of this resolution would be independence." (Congressional
Record -- Senate, Wednesday, October 27, 1993, 103rd Cong. 1st Sess., 139 Cong
Rec S 14477)
Now in 1995, the Hawaiian people have established perhaps the strongest legal
claim in the world for independence, and the restoration of the sovereign
nation-state of Hawaii is well under way.
To understand the legal foundation and process for independence, let us take a
brief look back over the past year, since the passage of the Apology
Resolution, at the self-determination being exercised by the Hawaiian people.
In December, 1993, Pu'uhonua "Bumpy" Kanahele invited Professor Francis A.
Boyle, a renowned expert on international law of human rights and
self-determination, to testify before the Governor's Sovereignty Advisory
Commission and the public on the meaning of the Apology Resolution.
Prof. Boyle stated that, "...now the United States government, after one
hundred years, has finally and officially conceded, as a matter of United
States law, that Native Hawaiian people have the right to restore the
Independent Nation State that you had in 1893 when the United States
government came and destroyed it. ...as a matter of international law, the
Native Hawaiian people have the right to go out now and certainly proclaim
the restoration of that State..."
On January 16, 1994, at 'Iolani Palace, a coalition of Kanaka Maoli (Native
Hawaiian) and pro-sovereignty groups delivered such a proclamation: the
Proclamation of Restoration of the Independence of the Sovereign Nation State
of Hawaii. This Proclamation empowered the 'Aha Kupuna, the Council of Elders,
as the Provisional Government of Hawai'i, to provide measures of development
for the restoration of independence, leading to a constitutional convention.
In March, nearly 200 kupuna from all the major islands gathered in Kaanapali,
Maui, and convened the First Legislative Session of the Provisional Government
of Hawaii. At this convention, Pu'uhonua Kanahele was unanimously selected as
the Head of State, and given the mandate to act of behalf of the people to
pursue the full restoration of sovereignty for the Hawaiian Nation.
Throughout the year, under his leadership, Kanaka Maoli and supporters on all
islands organized themselves, educated the community, and drafted a
constitution.
On September 8, President Clinton sent a letter to the Honorable Pu'uhonua
Kanahele, addressing him as the "Head of State of Hawaii" and giving de facto
recognition to the sovereign and independent Nation of Hawaii.
A NEW CONSTITUTION FOR HAWAI'I
In October, the first 'Aha Kumu Kanawai, Constitutional Convention, was
held in Waimanalo, and a Constitution was ratified for the independent Nation,
of Hawaii, an organic document from and for the people, and in November the
delegates gathered again to refine the document. A third convention was held
from January 13-15 to finalize the Constitution.
On January 16, 1995, the one year anniversary of the Proclamation of
Restoration - and the one hundred year anniversary of the imprisonment
of Queen Lili'uokalani in 'Iolani Palace by the conspirators who overthrew
her - kupuna, ali'i (descendents of Hawaiian royalty), spiritual leaders,
and delegates from all islands gathered at 'Iolani Palace to sign and
promulgate the new Constitution of Hawai'i.
CITIZENSHIP AND PARTICIPATION BY NON-KANAKA MAOLI
One of the most common fears expressed about sovereignty is that non-Hawaiians
will no longer be welcome, that they will be kicked off the land and told to go
home, but this fear is truly unfounded. Remember, this is the land of Aloha,
even if it has been abused for many long years. Ho'oponopono, forgiveness and
reconciliation, are at the foundation of the movement and its success.
While the constitution is based on the "inherent sovereignty" of na Kanaka
Maoli and is designed to protect and perpetuate the culture and rights of the
original people of these islands, at the same time it is an inclusive document
that recognizes the unique multi-cultural heritage of modern Hawaii, and allows
citizenship and participation in government for all the inhabitants of the
archipelago. Dual citizenship could also be an option for those who wish to
maintain American or other citizenship, and this will be determined by treaties
negotiated with the respective countries.
INDEPENDENCE AND HAWAII'S FUTURE
It is quite clear that restoring Hawaii's independence is legal, justified, and
real. The next question is, Why? How will we all benefit? What will the
future look like in an independent Hawaii?
It is obvious that the existing political and economic system, aside from being
illegal, is not working well in terms of real meaningful values, such as our
quality of life and the sustainability of our environment. Discontent with the
government is at an all time high, and a feeling of being out of control of the
decisions which affect our lives and lands is rampant, both at a state and
federal level. If we keep going in the same direction, we'll certainly end up
where we're headed, which would be most unfortunate.
Our society, here in Hawaii and globally, is not living in anywhere near a
sustainable manner, and an evolution of values and visions is essential for the
quality of our future. So we are in for a change, and we must be ready to
create a positive change, before the economic and environmental circumstances
force us into a more drastic negative one. We must collectively empower a form
of self-government that works in a real way, with humanity's laws in deep
alignment with the natural and spiritual laws that are the basis for our very
existence.
"Independence" means more than just political independence. Right now, we are
a very "dependent" society, depending on outside sources, primarily the United
States, to meet most of our basic needs. For example, we import over
three-quarters of our food, and even more of our energy, despite the fact that
we inhabit the most isolated land mass in the world. Therefore we are subject
to the control of outside forces. We lack self-reliance and suffer from great
vulnerability. Hawaii must become more independent in many ways to ensure the
future stability and security of our land and people.
Once one shifts perspectives from US domestic law to international law, the
range of options becomes much more broad. The opportunity exists to evolve
quickly in a positive direction with independent political status. Life won't
change drastically overnight, but can change steadily for the better.
Economically, we will be able to take advantage of our unique global position
in the center of the Pacific Rim, controlling our 200 mile Exclusive Economic
Zone, and becoming a center for international trade and the development of
global ethical banking, while at the same time investing in the diversification
of our local economy with innovative community based projects for meaningful
employment and self-sufficiency.
Do we have the will to take that opportunity? How we develop, how we move
through the transition toward sovereignty, and how Hawaii's future
self-governance and real independence unfolds, depends on how educated and
involved each one of us becomes.
If there is any place in the world capable of evolving politically,
economically, culturally, and spiritually in a smooth and peaceful transition
toward a truly equitable and sustainable future, it is Hawaii. In the process,
we will be an example for the entire world.
We must remember, the wisdom of the ancestors is essential for our success.
With Aloha, we can do it.
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