For generations, we as Native Hawaiians have felt the weight of historical injustices. The overthrow of our sovereign kingdom in 1893 and the annexation of our homeland by the United States were not just political acts but profound violations of our identity, culture, and self-determination. These events set into motion a legacy of land dispossession, cultural erasure, and systemic inequities that continue to impact our people today.
Our journey toward reclaiming our rights is a deeply personal call to honor our kūpuna, protect our ʻāina, and ensure a thriving future for our keiki. While there have been attempts by the U.S. to address some aspects of this legacy, they fall short of the justice and autonomy we inherently deserve.
Grounding Our Fight in International Law
As Native Hawaiians, we are not alone in our struggle. Across the globe, Indigenous peoples are asserting their rights through frameworks like the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). UNDRIP affirms what we have always known in our naʻau: that we have an inherent right to self-determination.
Self-determination is not just about political status; it’s about reclaiming control over our land, culture, and future. The UNDRIP recognizes these collective rights and calls on states to respect them. It mandates that Indigenous peoples have the right to make decisions about their lives, including economic, social, and cultural development.
We, as Native Hawaiians, have actively participated in these global discussions, raising our voices at the United Nations and in other international forums. These venues offer us an opportunity to hold the U.S. accountable and align our fight with a global movement for indigenous justice.
Federal Recognition
In 2014, the U.S. Department of the Interior proposed a process for recognizing a Native Hawaiian governing entity. This initiative could offer a formal mechanism to advocate for our rights within the U.S. legal system. While this recognition would not resolve all our grievances, it could strengthen our capacity for self-governance and allow us more agency.
Globally, other Indigenous peoples have achieved progress through similar pathways. They have secured agreements with their respective governments that uphold their rights while maintaining their distinct identities. These examples remind us that our struggle must be rooted in our unique history and aspirations.
The Larger Question of Self-Determination
While federal recognition is a potential step forward, it does not address the larger question of Hawaiʻi’s political status. Many of us believe that the so-called “statehood” process in 1959 was deeply flawed as it failed to provide us with a true choice, such as the option for independence. To move forward, the U.S. must acknowledge this injustice by ensuring us the chance to determine our future without their imposed restrictions.
Moving Forward
Our fight for self-determination is not about rejecting the present but reclaiming our future. We seek recognition not as a token gesture, but as a pathway to justice. The recognition of our governing entity must be shaped by our vision, rooted in our cultural values, and guided by our collective voice.
While we know the road ahead will be challenging, we also know the strength of our people. Our ancestors navigated the vast Pacific with nothing but the stars and their ʻike. We draw on their courage and wisdom as this is not just a political movement but a deeply spiritual one. Self-determination is about healing the wounds of the past and ensuring that future generations can live as Hawaiians on our kulāiwi.
E mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono – The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.