A new film “Ka Lāhui Hawai’i—the Hawaiian Nation”
New release! Here is something to add to your curricula:
Copy and paste into your browser the link below to view a the film about Ka Lāhui Hawaii. Produced and directed by Healani Sonoda-Pale. Cinematography by Laura Ullman.
—Rebekah Luke, website manager
One of many remembrances of Haunani-Kay Trask
Dear Beloved Ka Lahui Hawai’i,
I send my condolences on the loss of Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask. I was one of her students (and I believe one of her first, if not her first student, to go onto get a Ph.D.). I was nurtured and mentored by Dr. Trask and Dr. David E. Stannard throughout my undergraduate & graduate studies as well as my career.
I feel both a sense of deep sorrow and heartfelt gratitude to my forever kumu, Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask.
I wrote a tribute for her on my department’s website. I will be publishing a much longer version of this tribute in our department’s newsletter. I would not be where I am today without the love and mentorship of both Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask and Dr. David E. Stannard.
https://www.csun.edu/humanities/asian-american-studies
My heart is heavy, but I know Dr. Trask’s powerful work lives on.
Thank you.
With love, gratitude and solidarity,
Teresa Williams León
Professor of Asian American Studies
California State University Northridge
and forever, Haunani-Kay’s student
Haunani-Kay Trask (1949-2021)
We love you our great kumu, leader, and voice for our Lāhui! Uē nā lani.
Haunani-Kay Trask October 3, 1949 – July 3, 2021.
________
The Nation mourns the passing of Haunani-Kay Trask, a Native Daughter whose legacy lives on with each generation that continues to Kū’ē: oppose, resist, or protest colonialism through the advancement of sovereignty and self-determination in Hawai’i. We offer our deepest condolences to her ‘ohana, haumāna, and the many lives she touched around the world. Whether she was speaking before an audience here or abroad or signing a book, she would say or write: Kū’ē, Kū’ē, Kū’ē.
Lehua Kinilau, Kiaʻāina
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Tap on the link to view the letter dated March 31, 2021.
Cast your vote
The State of Hawaiʻi votes by mail in 2020. Voters will be mailed a ballot 18 days prior to Election Day. The Primary Election will be held August 8, 2020, and the General Election will be held November 3, 2020.
- National (U.S.)
- Congressional (HawaiʻI) Senate and House of Representatives
- State
- Mayoral (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi)
- City Council & Country Council
- Prosecutor
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs
All Hawaiʻi, stand together
Our people singing on Mauna Kea
Hauʻoli Makahiki 2019
Healani Sonoda-Pale is the chair of the Ka Lāhui Hawai‘i Political Action Committee. Here we repost her recap of 2018 and welcome to the Year of the Kanaka Maoli:
Pele returned to Puna and cleaned house, a few nights ago Poliahu laid her mantle on Mauna Kea, it has been 200 years since King Kamehameha’s passing, the US federal government is shut down with no end in sight, and the Natives are restless.
Welcome to the YEAR OF THE KANAKA MAOLI!
Looking back this is what I can remember of 2018 being out and active in the Kanaka Maoli community:
1. Ma Hope Mākou o Lili’uokalani March was Aloha ‘Āina until politicians were allowed to cut in front Ma Mua of our Queens Portrait.
2. Ka Lāhui Hawaii’s Political Action Committee (KPAC) held its first Kanaka Maoli Priorities workshop at the leg and held 3 Navigating the leg workshops in the communities
3. Helped kill Senate bill 3090 on the Mauna Kea Authority, the kuleana Land bill almost passes, KPAC helps introduce a criminal justice reform reso, and all but one measure transferring out public lands aka Kanaka National Lands dies.
4. KPAC’s 2018 Legislative Report Card reaches over 66,000 households.
5. TMT becomes an issue in the elections and candidates are asked if they would be willing to call the National Guard on “Protesters” on Mauna Kea.
6. Celebrated Lā Ho’iho’i Ea in the Hawaiian Kingdom Park with no permit and Celebrated the Queens Birthday at the Palace and Lā Kū’oko’a with Waimānalo.
7. Attended my first Democratic Party Convention with KPAC and spoke in favor of a more progressive platform with broader support of sovereignty for Kanaka (not just fed wreck). The platform passed.
8. Helped organized with Kanaka Maoli and supporters in Hawai’i and in Mokuhonu to protect “Aloha” in the No Aloha Poke Co movement and intellectual property rights.
9. Helped to rebuild an Auwai from Kānewai Punawai go Paiko fishpond with my son’s and community.
10. My husband and I won a contested case to stop a short term housing rental in East Molokai.
11. Helped organize the first Pupuhi/Pale/Apana Reunion in Kamalō, Molokai.
12. Worked with other scholars to voice our concerns about The Rock making a movie about our sacred King Kamehameha.
13. The Supreme Court decision came out supporting the DLNR permit. Organized with UH Staff and Faculty and Mauna Kea Hui for further actions.
14. Helped give voice to Kūpuna salt makers in Kaua’i.
~ Healani Sonoda-Pale
Vote today in the general election
Hawaii has same-day registration. Anyone 18 or older may simply go to the polling place to register (if you aren’t already) and vote. Remember to bring an ID. That’s it! Polls are open until 6 p.m. As a reminder, voting for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is open to all.
175th Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea at Thomas Square
Hawaiian National Position Statement on Thomas Square
Thomas Square holds historical and political significance for Hawaiians. This is where the 5-month occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom, by the British, ended on July 31, 1843, when Admiral Thomas of the British Government ordered the Union Jack lowered and the Hawaiian Kingdom flag to be raised. The park is named in honor of him.
That was also on the day that King Kamehameha III proclaimed: “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka ‘Āina I Ka Pono,” which translates to mean the “Sovereignty of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness.”
Since then, July 31st has been a Hawaiian Kingdom national holiday known as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea. And it was celebrated by Hawaiians here and abroad until the United States illegally took control of Hawai’i via a Joint Resolution of Congress. Today, Hawaiians refer to the 1898 US takeover as an illegal occupation because no Treaty of Annexation exists, which is the only document that could legitimize the American presence here, as prescribed under US and International law.
Since 1986, Hawaiian Nationals and Patriots have gathered here annually to assert and affirm the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Nation with no permits or permission from either the so called “State of Hawaiʻi” or the “City and County of Honolulu”. It continued that way until 2017 when “joint control, maintenance, and management” of this politically historic park was transferred over to the Department of Enterprise Services (DES), a private money generating corporation, despite strong community opposition and no consultation with the Kanaka Maoli people.
With million-dollar condominiums going up near Thomas Square this park is set to become a jewel in the crown of the surrounding real estate. And now 175 years after it was first designated as the first Hawaiian Kingdom park, where Hawaiians honor the sovereignty and righteousness of the land, it is finally getting a facelift from the City and County of Honolulu and DES.
Historic events like Lā Hoihoi Ea are being tokenized as cultural events intended to enhance the value of Thomas Square by engaging the community with art and entertainment. Today Hawaiian Nationals have to sign a permit and get a million-dollar insurance coverage indemnifying all parties involved including the occupying government, the City and County of Honolulu, to celebrate Hawaiian Restoration Day. Thomas Square was created by the Hawaiian Kingdom Privy Council to memorialize and celebrate the sovereignty of our Nation and today it is a symbol of our sovereignty as Kanaka Maoli and Hawaiian Nationals over this archipelago.
In conclusion, we must reject any claims that the State of Hawaiʻi, City and County of Honolulu, and the DES own or control this Hawaiian National Park and REFUSE to sign any permit or permission slip to use the lands that our King established me ke aloha nui no ko kākou Lāhui (with love for our Hawaiian Nation).
Kanaka Maoli, Hawaiian Nationals and Patriots of the Hawaiian Kingdom, hold your ground here at the piko (the center) of what is now a widespread celebration that extends throughout the islands and on Moku Honu (the Continent). It is important to STAND. If we can’t even hold down a park, how can we be pono (righteous) in stating that that our Kingdom still lives?
— Healani Sonoda-Pale
Ka Lahui Hawaii 