In what could be a turning point for spurious race-based claims to public lands in Hawaii, the SCOTUS heard oral arguments today centering around the Apology Resolution (PL103-150). x men origins wolverine download
Many hundreds of years ago, the first Polynesian colonists arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. Over time, they developed a unique society and culture distinct from their original homelands.
After contact with the Western world in 1778, the Kingdom of Hawai’i developed as a multi-racial society, declaring that all people were “of one blood” in their first constitution in 1840. Hundreds of years later, Hawai’i has once again developed a unique society and culture distinct from its origins.
The Akaka Bill will only recognize one racial group out of the many that comprise our unique Hawaiian society and culture today as “indigenous.” The Akaka Bill will tell people who have no other homeland in the world that they cannot have equal rights in Hawai’i, simply because of their race.
He Hawai’i au; he mau Hawai’i kakou a pau. I am Hawaiian; we are all Hawaiians.
Kamakakehau Fernandez was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was adopted by Robyn Nae’ole, and raised on Maui. He grew up speaking Hawaiian, in a Hawaiian family, steeped in Hawaiian culture. He is today a talented artist, carrying on the tradition of Hawaiian language music. There can be no doubt that Kamaka’s heart and soul are tied to the Hawaiian Islands.
But the Akaka Bill won’t consider Kamaka Hawaiian, even though Hawai’i is the only homeland he has ever known. Kamaka is African-American by blood, and according to the Akaka Bill, Kamaka’s language, culture, and family do not matter. The Akaka Bill does not recognize the tradition of hanai, and will not allow Kamaka to carry on the legacy of his native Hawaiian mother, simply because of his race.
He Hawai’i au; he mau Hawai’i kakou a pau. I am Hawaiian; we are all Hawaiians.
Keoni ‘Olohana was one of the ali’i who unified the Hawaiian Islands with Kamehameha the Great. As a close advisor to the King, he was appointed as the governor of the Big Island, and today his body lies in Mauna ʻAla, the Royal Mausoleum. His son was the Kuhina Nui to King Kamehameha the third, and his grand daughter was the beloved Queen Emma.
But the Akaka Bill will not recognize Keoni as Hawaiian. Keoni, regardless of his rank, stature or accomplishments would not be allowed a place in the Akaka Bill’s new government.
Keoni used to be called John Young, and his ancestors came from England. Although he and his family were instrumental in the creation of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Akaka Bill would reject him simply on the basis of his bloodline.
He Hawai’i au; he mau Hawai’i kakou a pau. I am Hawaiian; we are all Hawaiians.
Father Damien came to Hawai’i on March 19, 1864. Knowing full well the dangers of leprosy, he still asked to be assigned to minister to the lepers on Molokai.
Father Damien arrived at Kalaupapa on May 10, 1873. For years he worked among the lepers, until he himself contracted the disease and died on April 15, 1889. By any measure, Father Damien was a Hawaiian hero.
But not according to the Akaka Bill. Since Father Damien was from Belgium, the Akaka Bill would not consider him “Hawaiian.” Despite all of his works, and all of his sacrifice for the most needy people of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, the Akaka Bill would tell Father Damien he could not be a part of the new “Hawaiian” Government.
He Hawai’i au; he mau Hawai’i kakou a pau. I am Hawaiian; we are all Hawaiians.
