KE AUPUNI UPDATE - MARCH 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Constitutes a Nation?
The outpouring of kōkua and aloha for those devastated by the recent floods has been truly inspiring. The first responders here in Hawaiʻi were not the government agencies, but neighbors, friends and even strangers, that just showed up to help in time of need. Like the response to other disasters (the Kapoho eruption, the Lāhaina fire, etc.) the epic flooding reveals the true essence of Hawai’i… people caring for one another… This is the fundamental character, the heart, of our Lāhui, our nation.

Too often when we hear people speak of a “nation” they are referring to a legal, political entity as defined by the Law of Nations, the Montevideo Convention and other key documents concerning forms of government.

But a nation is much more than a political grouping or a government or physical territory. It is the people living together in community, working together and having each other’s back.

So, when we talk of restoring the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign nation, we are not just talking about restoring the government or a political body or the territorial place or some legal entity on paper. We are talking about the people, and everything that affects the people’s well-being.

There is a saying that I learned years ago from our cousins, the Maori of Aotearoa. It goes: the speaker asks, “He aha mea nui?” (What is the most important thing?) The people answer: “He Tangata, he Tangata, he Tangata!” (The People, the People, the People!) In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, that would be, “He Kanaka, he Kanaka, he Kanaka!”

This concept is central to who we are.

In 1810, when King Kaumualiʻi of Kauai and Niʻihau pledged his fealty to Mōʻī Kamehameha (King Kamehameha the Great) the unification of all the islands was completed. The first edict Kamehameha proclaimed was Māmala Hoe Kānāwai (The Law of the Splintered Paddle) which guaranteed the safety of all, especially women, children, sick and aged… as they traveled throughout the Kingdom. The story of how this came about is fascinating. Google it.

His sons, Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III continued that tradition of the aliʻi’s (chief’s) respecting and protecting the rights of the people and the aliʻi’s responsibility to place the welfare of the people as their most important duty. This was not a novel concept. It is a fundamental part of the traditional duties of the aliʻi.

In 1839 Kamehameha III issued a Declaration of Rights which many think is simply a reiteration of the American Bill of Rights. On first glance they may seem the same, but if you take a better look, they are profoundly different. Just compare the opening foundational statement of each.

The American version says: “…all men are created equal…” The Hawaiian version says “…all men are of one blood…” The American says we are legally on the same level, equal… The Hawaiian says, We are family! We have a sacred familial responsibility for one another.

This is why, I have no doubts that as the political body, the Hawaiian Kingdom reemerges, our Lāhui, the people, he kanaka, will respond, and rise to the occasion, guided by the in-bred spirit of ʻOhana, Lōkahi, Kōkua and of course, Aloha.

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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"Remember, for the latest updates and information about the Hawaiian Kingdom, check out the twice-a-month Ke Aupuni Updates published online on Facebook and other social media."

PLEASE KŌKUA…
Your kōkua, large or small, is vital to this effort...
To contribute, go to:

• GoFundMe – CAMPAIGN TO FREE HAWAII

• PayPal – log in to PayPal and pay to the account, info@HawaiianKingdom.net

• Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer service, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net  

Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National

FREE HAWAII NEWS SHORT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KUMU HINAʻS MANA`O - FREE HAWAII NEWS SHORT

WATCH IT HERE

Want More? Watch The Full Episode Here - FreeHawaiiNews.com

 FREE HAWAI`I

FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK  

“WILL YOU HELP THEM?"

 

We Ask For Your Kokua To Help Others Who Are In Need.

Weʻre Talking About Hawai`iʻs Flooding Victims.

Thereʻs An Easy Way You Can Kokua Those Who Have Lost So Much.

Watch This To See How You Can Easily Help Them Recover.

 

ITʻS TOMORROW, ITʻS FREE & ITʻS ONLINE - SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? REGISTER NOW

HELP FOR O`AHU FLOOD VICTIMS

 

CANOES ARE FAMILY ON “VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`IʻS FUTURE"

"Canoes Are Family - A Visit With Scotty Reis-Moniz"

Canoes are not often thought of as a person or family member, but thatʻs only part of what we learned in our visit with Scotty Reis-Moniz of the Waimanalo Canoe Club. Because wa`a, as they are called in Hawaiian, were considered way more than transportation, they held an exalted place in ancient Hawai`i and still do today. While most of us see canoe-racing as a sport, that only begins to scratch the surface of the amazing role they have in Hawai`iʻs culture. Donʻt miss our fascinating visit with Scotty on the beach in Waimanalo as we meet some of his canoe family and youʻll soon see why thereʻs a deep connection between wa`a and people that goes back centuries - Watch It Here

Now you can become a fan of Voices Of Truth on Facebook by clicking Here and see behind the scenes photos of our shows and a whole lot more.  

Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.
 
Voices Of Truth airs throughout Hawai`i on all islands and reaches over 24 million households across the US and throughout the world. Check your local cable TV listings.

For news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV. 

And for news from a kanaka point of view, watch Free Hawaii News.

All a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.

Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.

ITʻS FREE, ITʻS ONLINE & ITʻS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY - SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? REGISTER NOW

FREE HAWAII NEWS SHORT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEREʻS HOW TO PUT A STOP TO THIS - FREE HAWAII NEWS SHORT

WATCH IT HERE

Want More? Watch The Full Episode Here - FreeHawaiiNews.com

DONʻT MISS IT - BE THERE SATURDAY & HELP SAVE HAWAI`IʻS WATER

 

We hope to see you & your ohana there!

Hereʻs What Itʻs About -

Walk for Wai in honor of World Water Day this Saturday, March 21st, starts at 9 AM. 

To help raise awareness of ongoing water contamination issues happening on O`ahu as a result of the Red Hill catastrophic spill which happened on November 20, 2021.

The peaceful 3 mi walk will begin at Ala Moana Beach Park (near the canoe hālau) and end at Kapi`olani Park. Participants are being asked to wear blue and bring signs.

Ernie Lau, Wayne Tanaka, Malia Marquez, Susan Gorman-Chang, and many other water protectors will be leading us at this 2nd Walk for Wai to remind the public, the EPA, the Hawai`i Department of Health, and the US Navy that water is precious and essential for a livable future on this island.

We walk on March 21st to demand transparency from all governmental agencies regarding remediation and clean up efforts, a full accounting of what was spilled at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility over its 80-year-history, timely updates on efforts to determine the extent of the contamination in our island's sole source aquifer, and more.

We are at a crossroads especially now that the US Navy is no longer required to answer questions from the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative, while moving forward with plans to reopen the Navy’s Red Hill and `Aiea-Hālawa shafts for public consumption—both of which were contaminated during the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill.

Ola i ka Wai.  Water is Life.

#ShutDownRedHill #OlaIKaWai #WaterProtectors #WaterIsLife

FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK  

“IF THEY COULD DO IT, WHY CANʻT HAWAI`I?"

 

Not One Or Two, But Thirty Did It.

Canʻt Be That Difficult, Right?

Then Why Canʻt Hawai`i?

Watch This To See What Weʻre Talking About.

 

BE THERE THIS SATURDAY & SAVE HAWAI`IʻS WATER

 

Calling all Water Drinkers please join us at the Walk for Wai in honor of World Water Day on Saturday, March 21st, starting at 9 am, to help raise awareness of ongoing water contamination issues happening on O`ahu's as a result of the Red Hill catastrophic spill which happened on November 20, 2021.

The peaceful 3 mi walk will begin at Ala Moana Beach Park (near the canoe hālau) and end at Kapi`olani Park. Participants are being asked to wear blue and bring signs.

Ernie Lau, Wayne Tanaka, Malia Marquez, Susan Gorman-Chang, and many other water protectors will be leading us at this 2nd Walk for Wai to remind the public, the EPA, the Hawai`i Department of Health, and the US Navy that water is precious and essential for a livable future on this island.

We walk on March 21st to demand transparency from all governmental agencies regarding remediation and clean up efforts, a full accounting of what was spilled at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage facility over its 80-year-history, timely updates on efforts to determine the extent of the contamination in our island's sole source aquifer, and more.

We are at a crossroads especially now that the US Navy is no longer required to answer questions from the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative, while moving forward with plans to reopen the Navy’s Red Hill and `Aiea-Hālawa shafts for public consumption—both of which were contaminated during the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill.

Ola i ka Wai.  Water is Life.

#ShutDownRedHill #OlaIKaWai #WaterProtectors #WaterIsLife

BECOME A FAN OF "VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`I'S FUTURE" ON FACEBOOK 

See Behind-The-Scenes Shots Of Our Shows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click HERE To Become A Fan

HAWAI`IʻS AMAZING CANOES ON “VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`IʻS FUTURE"

"Canoes Are Family - A Visit With Scotty Reis-Moniz"

Canoes are not often thought of as a person or family member, but thatʻs only part of what we learned in our visit with Scotty Reis-Moniz of the Waimanalo Canoe Club. Because wa`a, as they are called in Hawaiian, were considered way more than transportation, they held an exalted place in ancient Hawai`i and still do today. While most of us see canoe-racing as a sport, that only begins to scratch the surface of the amazing role they have in Hawai`iʻs culture. Donʻt miss our fascinating visit with Scotty on the beach in Waimanalo as we meet some of his canoe family and youʻll soon see why thereʻs a deep connection between wa`a and people that goes back centuries - Watch It Here

Now you can become a fan of Voices Of Truth on Facebook by clicking Here and see behind the scenes photos of our shows and a whole lot more.  

Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.
 
Voices Of Truth airs throughout Hawai`i on all islands and reaches over 24 million households across the US and throughout the world. Check your local cable TV listings.

For news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV. 

And for news from a kanaka point of view, watch Free Hawaii News.

All a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.

Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.

KE AUPUNI UPDATE - MARCH 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The UN and Self-Determination

In early March I was in Papeete, Tahiti to attend a Global Consultation on Self-Determination and Decolonization. There were representatives from around the world gathered to listen to the independence efforts of Tahiti, New Caledonia, West Papua and Hawaii. We also heard from Guam and American Samoa. Every situation has differences and similarities.

This was the first time someone from Hawaii gave a report on the situation of Hawaii in the context of the UN’s self-determination process.

The United Nations was formed in 1945 with two lofty mandates to reform the world. Its primary mandate was to be a venue to settle international disputes through peaceful means — no more wars... especially no more devastating World Wars.

The UN’s second most important mandate was to decolonize the world. At that time 75% of the nations of the world was under the rule of about 8 colonial powers! Thus, the UN adopted self-determination and decolonization as another major priority.

In 1946 the UN General Assembly collected the names of colonies and territories to be decolonized and placed them on a list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Then they adopted procedures by which those captive nations could freely choose their future form of governance. About 100 colonies and possessions were on that list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Although Hawaii should not have been on the list because it was technically still a sovereign country — not a colony or territory of the US — the US went ahead and placed Hawaii on that decolonization list. No one questioned or objected because everyone at the time, even the people of Hawaii, thought Hawaii was a territory of the United States.

By the mid-1950s, decolonization under watch of the UN was in full swing with many former colonies gaining independence. The US became nervous about the possibility of losing two highly valued territories, Hawaii and Alaska, to decolonization. So, the US contrived a scheme to take Hawaii and Alaska off the list. The US did it by faking decolonization.

In 1958 and 1959, the US conducted referenda (called “statehood plebiscites”) in Alaska and Hawaii. But they rigged the vote to assure the outcome favored statehood. First, there was no previous education or discussion to inform the people of options other than statehood. Second there was no provision on the ballot for any choice other than statehood, and third, only US citizens were allowed to vote.

After the fake plebiscites, the US then admitted Alaska and Hawaii into the Union as the 49th and 50th states. The US then reported the results to the UN General Assembly saying the US, as a protective power under the UN Charter had fulfilled its “sacred obligation” and the political status of both Alaska and Hawaii were settled based on the free, prior and informed consent of the people. The record shows that this was not true in Hawaii, especially that not a single Hawaiian national voted in the plebiscite.

The United Nations General Assembly, however, without verifying how the plebiscite was conducted, accepted the United States’ report and passed UNGA Resolution 1469 certifying that the political status of Alaska and Hawaii had been settled and Alaska and Hawaii were to be henceforth recognized by the UN and all its member states as the 49th and 50th states of the United States.

This is how the UN’s decolonization process was hijacked by the US to secure its claim to Hawaii. It is the UN’s erroneous validation of the US report saying the people of Hawaii overwhelmingly consented to Statehood that stands in the way of a free Hawaii today.

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.
------
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.

-----
"Remember, for the latest updates and information about the Hawaiian Kingdom, check out the twice-a-month Ke Aupuni Updates published online on Facebook and other social media."

PLEASE KŌKUA…
Your kōkua, large or small, is vital to this effort...
To contribute, go to:

• GoFundMe – CAMPAIGN TO FREE HAWAII

• PayPal – log in to PayPal and pay to the account, info@HawaiianKingdom.net

• Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer service, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net  

Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National

FREE HAWAII NEWS SHORT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY LAS VEGAS IS NOT THE NINTH ISLAND

WATCH IT HERE

Want More? Watch The Full Episode Here - FreeHawaiiNews.com

 WOW - DONʻT MISS IT NEXT TUESDAY

 

FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK  

“WHO HAS NO RIGHTS IN HAWAI`I?"

 

We Hear These Days About Illegal Immigrants & Their Rights.

Well, Thereʻs A Certain Group Of People In Hawai`i Who Donʻt Have Rights.

It May Come As A Big Surprise When You Hear Who It Is.

Watch & See Who It Is, Why Itʻs Wrong & Plans For It To Be Fixed.

 

“VOICES OF TRUTH” WINS THE 2026 WAVE AWARDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai`iʻs Future” is the winner of the 2026 WAVE Awards.

“Weʻre excited and honored to announce that “Voices Of Truth” has won the 2026 WAVE Awards,” announced Voices Of Truth host `Ehu Kekahu Cardwell.

“Voices Of Truth” was awarded first place in the Culture and Lifestyle Community Producer category.

“For years we have told stories of everyday residents doing their part to help make Hawai`i one of the best places on earth. Guests we have interviewed come from all walks of life, theyʻre of all ages and spread throughout all of our islands. What makes them and their stories so interesting and inspirational to our viewers is their passion to make a difference however small, wherever they are in Hawai`i.”

“Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai`iʻs Future”ʻs primary purpose is to motivate our viewing audience to seek out and recognize their own kuleana, or area of responsibility, and get to work in it.”

“We want to convert armchair viewers into active participants in creating a better future for Hawai`i,” states Cardwell.

The WAVE Awards, an annual Western Access Video Excellence competition, is part of the Alliance for Community Media, a national network of TV and radio stations and PEG access advocates whose mission is to promote free speech and greater civic engagement through community media.

Winner of the prestigious 2009, 2010 and now 2026 and WAVE Video Awards as well as the Digital Halo Media Activist Award, “Voices Of Truth” is now in its twenty-first season.

“Voices Of Truth” currently reaches over twenty-four million households worldwide each month.

“Voices Of Truth - One-On-One With Hawai`iʻs Future” is a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network brought to you by the Koani Foundation, a Lihu`e, Kaua`i based native Hawaiian grass-roots organization.

In addition to airing on all islands throughout Hawai`i, and television markets worldwide, “Voices Of Truth” can also be seen on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Substack, X, BlueSky, Pinterest and many other social media sites as well as on  VoicesOfTruthTV.com

 FREE HAWAI`I

 

PROTECTORS OF PARADISE ON “VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`IʻS FUTURE"

"Protectors Of Paradise - A Visit With Micah Doane"

Think for a moment of your favorite beach. Now imagine it being used as a dumping ground covered in piles of trash. Thatʻs what happened to Kea`au beach on O`ahuʻs Wai`anae coast which happens to be Micah Doaneʻs favorite beach. So Protectors of Paradise was formed by Micah and other west side residents who wanted to stop the illegal dumping to keep their beach safe and pristine. But as fast as they could remove the trash, more appeared. So what did they do? Join us and Micah on our walk along beautiful Kea`au beach as he shows us what it takes to clean the beach he grew up on and why itʻs so important - Watch It Here

Now you can become a fan of Voices Of Truth on Facebook by clicking Here and see behind the scenes photos of our shows and a whole lot more.  

Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.
 
Voices Of Truth airs throughout Hawai`i on all islands and reaches over 24 million households across the US and throughout the world. Check your local cable TV listings.

For news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV. 

And for news from a kanaka point of view, watch Free Hawaii News.

All a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.

Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.

 FREE HAWAI`I

MARCH FREE HAWAII NEWS - WHAT DO THE MĀORI HAVE TO TEACH US ABOUT BEING WARRIORS?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus Why Las Vegas Is Not Our Ninth Island. Then Why Does Tourismʻs Impact On Our Communities Always Get Hidden? What Makes Great Pacific Islands Leadership? Also The Importance Of Asking The Right Questions. And A Brand New Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o Asks What Are Manaleo Speakers & Why Are They So Special? 

The March 2026 “Free Hawaii News” debuting tonight, March 6th airs at 7 PM on `Olelo Television Channel 53 on O`ahu, on all neighbor islands and also at http://FreeHawaiiNews.com

“Te Tiriti O Waitangi or the Treaty Of Waitangi affirms the independence and rights of the Maori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa, or what westerners refer to as New Zealand. Yet, the history of Aotearoa has been marked by repeated failures of New Zealandʻs colonial government to honor those promises. Because itʻs similar to what happened to kanaka maoli here in Hawaii, a delegation of Ka Lāhui Hawaii members travelled to Aotearoa to learn how the Maori are responding,” states Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu.

“Also on the March Free Hawaii News we take on a current popular saying that Las Vegas is our ninth island. We speak with Hawaiian author and historian Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp who not only reminds us that Las Vegas is the home to indigenous people there, but explains who they are, their history and how we as kanaka maoli should conduct ourselves when we visit their native land that the western world calls Las Vegas,” reports Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong.

Then in a fascinating interview with Ramsay Taum, we examine why tourismʻs impact on our local communities always gets hidden and in our Pacific Way segment we look at what constitutes great leadership throughout our greater Pacific Islands.

Finally, Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o segment asks what are Manaleo speakers and why are they so special?

Free Hawaii News presents Hawaiian or kanaka maoli perspectives on a broad range of issues and topics affecting the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific and the world.

Brought to you by the Koani Foundation, Free Hawaii News airs every month on `Ōlelo Television on O`ahu, on all neighbor islands and on stations around the world as well as online on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Substack, Pinterest, X, BlueSky and over thirty different Facebook pages and other online sites.

Hinaleimoana Wong is a kumu hula, filmmaker, cultural activist, Hawaiian language speaker, preservationist and community leader. She has served in the past as a member of the O`ahu Island Burial Council.

Leon Siu has for many years served as Foreign Minister of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He is active in that role at the United Nations in both New York City and Geneva, Switzerland. Besides being a diplomat, he is also an award-winning musician, composer and political analyst.

 TOMORROW ON THE MARCH FREE HAWAII NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Do The Māori Have To Teach Us About Being Warriors?

Also Why Las Vegas Is Not Our Ninth Island.

Why Does Tourismʻs Impact On Our Communities Always Get Hidden?

What Makes Great Pacific Islands Leadership?

The Importance Of Asking The Right Questions.

And A Brand New Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o Asks What Are Manaleo Speakers & Why Are They So Special?

Join Hosts Hinaleimoana Wong & Leon Siu As They Give The Kanaka Perspective On Issues In Hawaii You Wonʻt Get Anywhere Else.

7 PM TOMORROW ON `OLELO TELEVISION -CABLE CHANNEL 53 ON O`AHU - FreeHawaiiNews.com