NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO MARCH IN BOSTON FOR HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE
Aloha March Scheduled In Seat Of American Revolution This Weekend
HONOLULU, HAWAI’I – Descendants of the Hawaiian Kingdom want their independence back and will bring that message to the Boston area Sunday, May 16th as Native Hawaiians and their supporters stage an Aloha March.
With the theme “Free Hawai’i,” participants will spread the word on the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and the goal to return the islands to an independent nation status. Marchers will also express their opposition to a federal recognition process designed to restrict and ultimately extinguish Hawaiian rights and land claims against the US.
The Aloha Marches of 1998 and 2000 in Washington, DC brought unprecedented national and international media coverage to the plight of Native Hawaiians.
“Our native brothers and sisters will march with us in solidarity,” remarked Al Ku’ahi Wong a Boston resident, Native Hawaiian expatriate and president of Wahi Ku Moku, the Boston Hawaiian Club. “We expect Hawaiians from all over the area to support this Aloha March.”
While Native Hawaiians have struggled for decades to regain the lands and political rights of their predecessors, the movement achieved national attention in 1993 when Congress and President Clinton passed the “Apology Bill” (US Public Law 103-150,) admitting US participation in the illegal act of war against the Hawaiian Kingdom.
“We want real change now, not more spare change,” states Kai’opua Fyfe of the Kauai-based Koani Foundation, Aloha March sponsor. “Can you imagine losing your land and self-governance, and 111 years later still striving to get it back?"
The Aloha March will begin Sunday at 1 PM at South Station and finish at the State House, where there will be a variety of activities. Local Native American tribal leaders have been invited to participate. Marchers are encouraged to wear native dress.
