Many fail to realize that what was overthrown was not an indigenous people but a recognized independent nation amongst nations. We had international treaties between our Kingdom and countries from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway and the list goes on. The majority of our subjects were Kanaka Maoli, indigenous people but it was also comprised of many races. The difference is that for Kanaka Maoli, we never gave up our inherent sovereignty as a people over national lands through a plebiscite or referendum and by international law we have the right to determine our own political structure and that includes the pursuit of full independence. Taking the path that OHA wants us to follow will put us under the umbrella of the Department of the Interior. We can govern our own affairs subject to their rulings. That is not true independence. The Hawaiian Roll Commission says that they want to build a Hawaiian governing entity but they are not telling you that it has to be within the confines of American laws. It is more similar to having a nation within a nation status and a far cry from what is our lawful and political right. Its like being as free as a bird in a cage and that is unacceptable. They are saying that if we dont hurry and get together to gather all of the crumbs we will loose it all but not telling Hawaiians that we have the political right to take back the whole cake which actually belongs to us. They are not telling people the bigger picture of the implications of supporting their process. It is up to us to start educating Hawaiians of their political rights. Whats making it harder is that our own people are forming their own sovereignty groups thereby adding more confusion to the mix. Making it harder for our people to see what the real problems are.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 00:52:17 +0000