FREE HAWAI`I NEWS SHORT - HAWAIIAN BURIALS PROTECTOR PUNCHED & SLAPPED BY FOREIGN SETTLER ON KAUA`I
The January Free Hawaii News at FreeHawaiiNews.com features an interview with iwi kupuna kia`i, or Hawaiian burials protector Megan Wong. She described how a landowner settler, Chris Arreguin at Wainiha Hui Lands Lot 21 (4400 Oneone Road) in Naue, Kaua`i has been desecrating Hawaiian burials in order to rent out vacation homes and a yoga studio.
Today she posted video of another iwi kupuna kia`i named Kona who while holding his baby in his arms, was repeatedly punched, grabbed by the throat and slapped by Chris Arreguin for attempting to protect the remains of Konaʻs lineal descendants buried there.
This is both outrageous and heartbreaking. Here is that video.
Friday, January 03, 2025
JANUARY FREE HAWAII NEWS - HAS LAHAINA FOUND A WAY TO PROTECT ITS `AINA?
Also, Kaua`i Descendants Jump Into Action To Protect Ancestral Graves. Then A Tiny Country In Oceania Scores A Big Win At The UN For Climate Change & Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o Has Some Choice Words For One Settlerʻs Claim That Hawaiian Is A Dead Language.l
The January 2025 “Free Hawaii News” airing tonight Friday, January 3rd starts at a new time, 7 PM on `Olelo Television Channel 53 on O`ahu.
“Free Hawaii News is pleased to announce our new prime time 7 PM slot for 2025 on `Olelo Television, cable channel 53 on O`ahu the first Friday of each month. We mahalo our viewers for our tremendous growth over the last year,” remarked Free Hawaii News host Leon Siu.
“Our goal is to bring our viewers news and information in 2025 from a kanaka maoli perspective. We go to Lahaina for a report on how residents there are successfully protecting their `aina or land from disaster capitalists who are the opposite of ʻAloha `Ainaʻ or love for our land.”
“Also in our January show we have a follow up report from one of the iwi kupuna kia`i, or Hawaiian ancestral burials protectors in Naue on Kaua`i in their quest to stop their ancestorʻs bodies being dug up and destroyed for vacation homes and a yoga retreat,” states Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong, a former member of the O`ahu Island Burial Council.
The January Free Hawaii News also features reports on how a tiny country in Oceania scored a huge win at the United Nations in combating climate change, and Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o has some choices words for the claim that Hawaiian is a dead language.
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, 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 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.
Wednesday, January 01, 2025
FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK "HAWAIIANS UNDER SIEGE IN 2024"
2024 Was Filled With Lots Of Challenges For Hawaiians.
DECEMBER FREE HAWAII NEWS - WHY ARE HAWAIIAN ANCESTRAL REMAINS BEING DUG UP FOR YOGA RETREAT?
Also The Official End Of US Military Bombing In Makua Valley, How Oceania Is Leading The Way On Climate Change, Why Hawaiians Identify As American Instead Of Pacific Islanders & Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o
The December “Free Hawaii News” airing tonight, December 6th at 6 PM on `Olelo Television Channel 53 on O`ahu and online at http://FreeHawaiiNews.com reports on iwi kupuna, or Hawaiian ancestral remains being desecrated on Kaua`i for vacation homes and a yoga retreat.
“The area of Naue on Kaua`i is well known to have numerous burial sites which are considered Hawaiian cultural cemeteries. So why is it that people move to Hawai`i and build homes or businesses in these areas and disrespect our ancestors and their remains by digging them up?” asks Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong, a former member of the O`ahu Island Burial Council. “How would they like it if we dug up their ancestors graves in cemeteries? To make matters worse, the bodies of those unearthed have been contaminated by a leaking cess pool. Then after promising to stop, they went right ahead and dug up more. Such disrespect for our culture and deceased family members.”
The December Free Hawaii News features a report on celebrating the official end of US military bombing in O`ahuʻs Makua Valley and also why Oceania is leading the way on dealing with climate change. “I urge everyone to watch our segment report on Oceaniaʻs actions and advocacy at the United Nations regarding climate change. Island nations are the first to feel the impacts of climate change and therefore are first seeking to stop its catastrophic effects,” reports Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu.
Plus we cover why Hawaiians identify as Americans rather than Pacific Islanders and also our latest popular Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o segment.
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, Pinterest, X, 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 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.
Wednesday, December 04, 2024
FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK "HAWAIIAN BURIALS DUG UP FOR YOGA RETREAT"
No, Weʻre Not Kidding & Yes, Itʻs Sickening.
Iwi Kupuna, The Graves Of Hawaiian Ancestors, Desecrated.
JULY FREE HAWAII NEWS - FROM FESTPAC TO THE UNITED NATIONS
The Impact Of FestPac, Also Why Is RIMPAC A Huge Problem For Hawaii? Then How The Victory Over The Planned Honokea Wave Pool Happened Plus An Update From Maui On More Burial Desecration At The Grand Wailea, A Report From The UN In Geneva, Switzerland & A Special Kumu Hinaʻs Manaʻo.
The July “Free Hawaii News” airing this Friday night, July 5th at 6 PM on `Olelo Television Channel 53 on O`ahu and online at FreeHawaiiNews.com has reports from Honolulu, Maui, Kaua`i and the United Nations in Geneva Switzerland.
Our Free Hawaii News hosts are some of the hardest working television anchors in Hawaii with their globe-trotting reports throughout Hawaii as well as from Geneva, Switzerland in our July episode.
“The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture was a huge success held for the first time ever in Hawaii and both Leon Siu and I were there to witness it,” says Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong. “FestPac 2024 made a significant impact in the hearts and minds of not only Hawaiians, but all peoples of Oceania and Leon and I explain why itʻs such a big part of the Pacific Way and where we go from here.”
We also feature a special segment with co-host Leon Siu reporting from the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. “Hawai`i is making excellent progress in explaining to UN member countries why the Hawaiian Islands have never been a part of the US and what they can do to help restore Hawai`iʻs independence,” remarks Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu.
We also report on why RIMPAC is encountering significant opposition, how the Honokea Wave Pool was defeated, Hawaiian burial desecration on Maui and a very special Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o segment.
Free Hawaii News presents Hawaiian or kanaka maoli perspectives on a broad range of topics and issues 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. Check local listings for times.
Hinaleimoana Wong is a kumu hula, filmmaker, cultural activist, Hawaiian language speaker, preservationist and community leader. She has served 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.
“Free Hawaii News” is online at FreeHawaiiNews.com, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
TOMORROW ON O`AHU - HELP PROTECT HAWAIIAN ANCESTRAL BONES
Tuesday, December 05, 2023
THEYʻRE ALIVE & THEYʻRE WATCHING
Friday, June 02, 2023
JUNE FREE HAWAII NEWS - WHY OHA DROPPED NATION BUILDING
Also Legal Action To Stop A Second Wave Pool, The Cultural Cost Of Name-Stripping, Hawaiian Progress At The UN & “Pacific Way” - A New Movement
The June “Free Hawaii News” show reveals details regarding why the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs has dropped its nation-building efforts.
“For years the Office of Hawaiian Affairs attempted to sell its phony nation-building plan via federal recognition to Hawaiians,” states Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu. “In the process, OHA wasted many millions of Hawaiian beneficiary dollars. We hear from OHA Trustee Mililani Trask who explains who was behind it, why it failed and if a day of reckoning is coming.”
The June Free Hawaii News also airs an important segment on the practice of name-stripping - changing the original Hawaiian names of places to english names.
“Name-stripping is an insidious practice everywhere colonialism and illegal occupations of countries occur,” remarked Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong. “Itʻs a simple way to make native peoples strangers in their own homeland and in Hawai`is case force kanaka maoli to identify themselves the way the US dictates. We explain exactly how name-stripping has sown its deliberate confusion in Hawai`i.”
Our June show also includes Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o, an update on progress for Hawaii at the United Nations as well as a report on the “Pacific Way,” a new movement gaining steam throughout Oceania.
Brought to you by the Koani Foundation, Free Hawaii News airs the first Friday evening of every month on channel 53 of `Ōlelo Television on O`ahu at 6 PM and on all neighbor islands. Check local listings for times.
The purpose of the show is to present Hawaiian or kanaka maoli perspectives on a broad range of topics and issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific and the world. The hosts of “Free Hawaii News” are Hinaleimoana Wong and Leon Kaulahao Siu.
Hinaleimoana Wong is a kumu hula, filmmaker, cultural activist, Hawaiian language speaker, preservationist and community leader. She has served 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.
“Free Hawaii News” is online at FreeHawaiiNews.com, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.
Saturday, May 06, 2023
FREE HAWAII NEWS - PROTECTING ANCIENT HAWAIIAN BURIALS ON KAUA`I
Watch What The People Of Kaua`i Are Doing To Protect Iwi Kupuna At The Coco Palms
Friday, May 05, 2023
FREE HAWAII NEWS - PROFITS OVER ANCIENT HAWAIIAN BURIALS
The May “Free Hawaii News” details efforts to protect iwi kupuna or ancient Hawaiian burials throughout Hawaii.
“Iwi kupuna continue to be at risk on both Maui and Kaua`i due to hotel resort developments,” states Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong. “Proposed expansion of the Grand Wailea resort on Maui and developers with plans for the Coco Palms on Kaua`i are putting profits over our ancient people. The attempts to profit from our ancestors bones must be stopped.”
The May Free Hawaii News also airs a report on the recent legal wrangling for confidential information between Hawaii state auditor Les Kondo and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
“OHA trustee Keli`i Akina explains to us in simple terms why this dispute went to court and what effect it has had regarding the various audits of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs,” remarked Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu. “If youʻve been wondering what secrets auditor Kondo has been seeking and why, this is the interview to watch to get the full picture.”
Our May show also includes an update on recent, new progress for Hawaii at the United Nations as well as a report on the “Pacific Way,” a new movement gaining steam throughout Oceania.
Brought to you by the Koani Foundation, Free Hawaii News airs the first Friday evening of every month on channel 53 of `Ōlelo Television on O`ahu at 6 PM and on all neighbor islands. Check local listings for times.
The purpose of the show is to present Hawaiian or kanaka maoli perspectives on a broad range of topics and issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific and the world. The hosts of “Free Hawaii News” are Hinaleimoana Wong and Leon Kaulahao Siu.
Hinaleimoana Wong is a kumu hula, filmmaker, cultural activist, Hawaiian language speaker, preservationist and community leader. She has served 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.
Tensions surrounding the planned expansion of a luxury hotel on Maui are rising.
The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, has been wanting to expand for years. But protectors of ancestral bones, or iwi kupuna, say enough already.
“I feel I was really called to do this. Like I was tapped on the shoulder and said, ‘come and help,’” said Clare Apana, head of Malama Kakanilua.
Apana, along with Hooponopono o Makena president Ashford Kaleolani DeLima, are committed to protecting iwi kupuna on Maui.
DeLima’s ancestors are from South Maui, where the Grand Wailea is located.
“You feel this wind? This wind is gentle. That’s because my kupuna knows that I’m here speaking about them and trying to tell the truth,” DeLima said.
DeLima, Apana and others say the Grand Wailea was built on sacred burial grounds.
They are against the resort’s plan for expansion and renovations.
“This is one of the areas where you find concentrations of burials. You don’t find this on any other property. You may find burials … but you don’t find burials in the concentrations that are on this property,” Apana said.
The Grand Wailea wants to add 137 guest rooms, enhance its landscaping, pool amenities and restaurant facilities and improve its infrastructure.
Maui Planning Department recommended approving the project with conditions in 2019.
But last month, a Maui Planning Commission’s appointed hearing officer recommended that the Grand Wailea’s permits be denied until they can make “adjustments in the areas of traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices, traffic and water.” The permits are needed to complete the expansion.
The resort says the project scope was reduced by nearly 40% to reflect community feedback and avoid ground disturbance in areas of archaeological or cultural sensitivity.
“The hearing officer’s report was a welcome confirmation of Grand Wailea’s enhancement plans and commitment to being a good steward,” said William Meheula, counsel for the resort.
“We agree with almost all of the recommendations, including that the project’s archaeological inventory surveys and monitoring plans that were approved by the state met the legal requirements, and have submitted a response largely supporting the report and demonstrating the project has satisfied the necessary conditions to proceed if approved by the Maui Planning Commission.”
The hotel says its commitment to giving back is reflected in the more than $5 million donated to nonprofits over the last seven years.
The resort’s managing director added that the hotel employs more than 1,200 people, and that the expansion will create hundreds more jobs.
Apana and DeLima said all they want is respect.
“The right thing to do is malama the iwi,” DeLima said. “Show respect and not only make money....”
Tuesday, February 07, 2023
PROTECTING IWI KŪPUNA ON MOLOKAI
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK "WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO THE BONES OF YOUR ANCESTORS?”
Hereʻs What Theyʻve Done To The Bones Of Your Ancestors.
