Hawaiian sovereignty movement

Hawaiian sovereignty movement. The movement is a grassroots political and cultural campaign by Native Hawaiians and non-native supporters for self-determination and sovereignty over the Hawaiian Islands. It seeks to address the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and the subsequent Annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898. The movement encompasses a diverse spectrum of goals, ranging from federal recognition to complete independence and the re-establishment of a Hawaiian nation.

Historical background

The movement's origins are rooted in the 19th-century history of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Key events include the 1887 Bayonet Constitution forced upon King Kalakaua, the 1893 overthrow orchestrated by the Committee of Safety with support from U.S. Minister John L. Stevens and U.S. Marines, and the 1895 counter-revolution led by Robert William Wilcox. The Republic of Hawaii, led by Sanford B. Dole, preceded the Newlands Resolution of annexation. The Territory of Hawaii was established in 1900, and Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959 following the Hawaii Admission Act and a controversial plebiscite. The 1897 Petition Against Annexation, signed by a vast majority of Native Hawaiians, is a foundational document for sovereignty claims.

Major organizations and factions

The movement is represented by numerous groups with differing strategies and end goals. Pro-independence factions include Nation of Hawaiʻi, led by Bumpy Kanahele, and the Hawaiian Kingdom Government. Groups advocating for federal recognition and a Native Hawaiian government include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hawaiʻi Independent Sovereign Nation. Other significant entities are Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, founded by Milliani Trask, the Reinstated Hawaiian Government, and the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. The Department of the Interior's 2016 rulemaking process regarding a government-to-government relationship also spurred organizing.

Legal and political arguments

Sovereignty advocates base claims on international law, including the United Nations Charter principles of self-determination and the UN General Assembly Resolution 1514. They argue the overthrow and annexation violated treaties like the 1849 Franco-Hawaiian Treaty and the 1875 Reciprocity Treaty between the Kingdom of Hawaii and the United States. Domestic legal battles often cite the Apology Resolution passed by the U.S. Congress in 1993, which acknowledged the illegality of the overthrow. Other key cases include Rice v. Cayetano, which challenged Office of Hawaiian Affairs voting, and the ongoing debate over the ceded lands, originally Crown and Government lands of the Kingdom.

Key events and protests

Significant activism includes the 1976 Kalama Valley protests, the 1977 Kahoolawe occupation challenging United States Navy bombing, and the 1993 Onipaʻa observance marking the centennial of the overthrow. The 2008 U.S. Supreme Court case Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs dealt with ceded lands. Recent decades have seen sustained protests against telescope construction on Mauna Kea, involving groups like Protect Mauna Kea and Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu. Other notable actions include the 1995 Makapuʻu occupation and various demonstrations at ʻIolani Palace.

Contemporary status and issues

Current efforts focus on nation-building, such as the failed Akaka Bill and the subsequent Native Hawaiian Roll Commission and ʻAha constitutional convention. The 2015 Department of the Interior rule and the 2016 Naʻi Aupuni election process were contentious. Contemporary challenges include securing land and resource rights, achieving political unity, and addressing socio-economic disparities affecting Native Hawaiians. The movement continues to engage with entities like the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and influences local politics in Honolulu and at the Hawaii State Capitol.

Category:Indigenous rights in the United States Category:Political movements in Hawaii Category:Native Hawaiian politics