KE AUPUNI UPDATE - JUNE 2025
Hawaiian or American?
On January 17, 1993 at the Onipaʻa rally protesting the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Haunani Kay Trask boldly declared, “We are not Americans! We are not Americans! We are not Americans! We are not Americans! We are Hawaiians! We will die as Hawaiians! We will never be Americans!” It was a shocking line-in-the-sand challenge, a head-on confrontation of our identity in crisis. Over the past 32 years, many have cone to understand and embrace our identity and our legacy.
I haven’t seen it yet, but friends say that in the Disney film, Lilo and Stich, when the CIA agent tells Lilo that their main job is protect Americans, Lilo says, “But we’re Americans too!” My friends said there was a noticeable groan from the audience. Some people booed. My friends said, that one line ruined the whole film for them. Apparently, the Disney writers (and local script consultants?) “didn’t get the memo” and completely missed that crucial distinction… We are not Americans!
The point is, 30 years ago, 20 years ago and even 10 years ago, the average Hawaii movie-goer would have completely missed that glaring error. But today, Lilo, a bright young Hawaiian tita, would have known she is not an American and would thanked the CIA agent for acknowledging that fact.
Having been in the movement from the early 70s, I am amazed how far we’ve come. I’ve noticed that the term “mainland” when referring to America, is being used less frequently. The McKinley statue (and the name of the school), are now regarded as offensive icons of the hewa (wrong, bad) of the U.S. presence in in Hawaii.
The “Overthrow”, the “Annexation” and “Statehood” are seen as illegal acts. Hawaii’s “relationship” with the U.S. is now called, “a proplonged illegal occupation”; and an “international criminal enterprise,”
Current problems like poverty, homelessness, are seen as the result of the the Illegal Occupation. Nation-to-nation (federal tribal recognition) is out, full independence is in.
What we see happening is not just reclaiming our true Hawaiian identity, it is decoupling from the fake American one of dependency and destruction. The direction for Hawaii is to decouple from the US and make our own way into the future.
Aloha Aina, Kapu Aloha, Malama Aina, Kuleana, Pono, Aloha I Kekahi I Kekahi… These are not just awesome words and slogans. This is who we are… Hawaiians. These are the foundational principles of our nation rising.
Aloha ʻĀina —
“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” — Queen Liliʻuokalani
Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono.
The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
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For the latest news and developments about our progress at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, tune in to Free Hawaii News at 7 PM, the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53.
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Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National
