Ka Lahui Hawaii

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