INTERVIEW OF A HAWAIIAN NATIONALIST Commonly asked questions of Poka Laenui, Director, Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs. Question: How do you define Self-Determination and Sovereignty? Answer: "Self-Determination" is the deciding by the people of a nation what form of government they shall have, without reference to the wishes of any other nation. In making that decision, the people have a range of choices from total assimilation within another nation, territory status, autonomy (some erroneously call this "a nation within a nation"), statehood, free association, commonwealth, to total independence and sovereignty. "Sovereignty" is to be free from any other nation's control - to have no higher legislature but God(s). Sovereignty is not a privilege to be granted by another nation but a right inherent in a people. We must take great care in how we use these terms "self- determination" and "sovereignty" for they form the very foundation of the rights we advocate. Colonizing nations have used these same words to carry quite different meanings in order to deny basic human rights. Let's not adopt their definitions and fall victims to their abuses. The United Nations has proclaimed: All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Question: Can you put that in closer relation to a people's experience? What does self-determination mean for Hawaii? Answer: To understand Self-Determination is to understand self and determination. What is "self"? Individuals have a "self" at an individual level. Any collective such as groups, tribes, peoples or nations also have "self". For collectives, "self" is often defined by a constitution, a charter, or some other document which describes the commonality which their membership share. Documentation, however, is not the exclusive method of defining the self. A document is not necessary to constitute a nation. Question: What does that mean for Hawaii? Answer: Hawaii's "self" has never had the opportunity to decide it's form of government since the American invasion and occupation in 1893. Hawaii's "self" prior to that invasion was a nation of Hawaiian citizens. The United States invaded in 1893, altered the "self" through transmigration, internal brainwashing, redefining citizenship, etc. By 1959, Hawai`i was occupied by thousands of transmigrated people to a large extent coming from America. Hawaiian citizens either died or had been legislated out of political existence by U.S. laws refusing to recognize citizenship in the Hawaiian nation. A "Statehood" question was than posed to the "electorate." The "self" who made the choice "for" Hawaii were made up of American citizens claiming Hawaii as their residence and having lived here for at least one year. That vote wasn't the determination of the Hawaiian "self" but of an American "altered self" acting as the U.S. puppet. "Determination" is the act of choosing from the range of choices of political status. Also in 1959, Hawai`i's political choices did not address the full range of political status but were limited to remaining a territory or becoming a "state" of the United States. The lesser of the two evils was selected, but that selection did not constitute an act of self-determination for there was not the full range of choices including independence and freedom from American occupation. Thus, although the United States claim that Hawaii exercised "self- determination" in selecting Statehood, this was not the case - that act in 1959 was simply another step in Hawaii's increased American occupation. Question: If Hawaii was able to exercise its "self-determination" and in that exercise opted for sovereignty, what would Hawaii look like? What structure would it have? How would it exist? Answer: Our history and culture must be fundamental in establishing the structure of Hawai`i. Of course, that doesn't give you a specific answer to your question. Let's take a look at some specifics. a) NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship should be limited only to those who pledge a national allegiance to Hawaii and no other nation. To have an equal allegiance to the United States of America and to Hawaii would be contradictory and should not be permitted. Citizenship should also carry with it the requirement of having the individual having formed some relationship with Hawaii so he or she can be called a "keiki o ka `aina." How or when that is achieved with any individual is difficult to ascertain. I don't have an answer for it. When Hawai`i was invaded by the armed forces of the United States of America, Hawaiian citizenship was politically defined. Hawaiian citizens, in addition to the indigenous people, came from different nations and cultures. Citizenship was therefore based on which nation was the keeper of your loyalty or allegiance - your homeland. To redefine Hawaiian citizenship today in terms of race alone contradicts the very foundation of the Hawaiian nation. b) LAND OWNERSHIP: A critical review and setting priority of our land ownership and use policies must be made - reconsidering foreign ownership of land (yes, including the Americans), collective rights of ownership or use, special uses for the po`e Hawai`i, prohibiting any further degradation of non-renewable resources, promoting Hawai`i's self- sufficiency and independence. c) ECONOMIC RELATIONS: We must take charge of our own economic relations, no longer allowing the U.S. to dictate our policies and economic ties. Our economic goals should foster less foreign dependence, encourage a diversity of trade partners, build balance between promoting economic and humanitarian goals in foreign relations and protecting our Hawai`i businesses. d) IMMIGRATION CONTROL: We can not continue a policy of unlimited foreign infiltration into Hawai`i. We are islands with finite land resources. Hawai`i has too long suffered uncontrolled infiltration from the U.S. and other foreign places. Once in control of our territories, we must undertake strict limitations to foreigners in Hawai'i. e) GOVERNMENTAL FORM: Democracy, similar to Hawaii's present system, will probably be the initial form of government. Relationship with the United States and other foreign nations would undergo review. Hawaii's "Head of State" would have to be decided as well as the role, if any, of royalty in Hawaii's national structure. Like any other country, Hawai'i will have to wrestle with these questions. f) CULTURAL FOUNDATION: Cultural identity forms the foundation of a national character: it is the key to a national consciousness. The indigenous culture of Hawai'i must form that foundation upon which a national culture grows. If not, we would not be Hawai'i. g) MILITARY CONTROL: All military in Hawai'i should be controlled by Hawai'i. We should have an immediate end to the idiotic policy of the U.S. Pentagon controlling military activities in Hawaii. Those who control the U.S. military have no connection or care over Hawaii's survival other than as a Pacific fortress to protect America's "mainland" and promote Americanism elsewhere. h) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Hawai'i should assert its international integrity as an independent nation in regional and international forums. It should establish diplomatic and consular posts throughout the world. It should consider for adoption all international treaties and conventions respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms of all peoples. It should consider formation of and/or participation in regional treaties preserving the environmental and political integrity of the Pacific region. i) RIGHTS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: The protection and increase of the Po`e Hawai`i (the indigenous people of Hawai`i) must take special priority. The Hawaiian language should be the official language of the Nation and as quickly as possible become the everyday language of Hawai`i. The traditional economic system and collective land relationship should be respected and given a proper place in the nation. The traditions and customs of the Po`e Hawai`i should have the force and effect of law for those citizens opting to live under that system. (Of course, a mechanism to mediate between conflicts of law must be developed.) Question: What would be the land base over which this Hawaiian nation would govern? Answer: The land base must include all the lands of Hawai`i. Beyond that, the territorial base of Hawai`i is all the lands and all the waters that form and lie between a line extended three miles beyond the land mass of the islands which form the Hawaiian archipelago and extending outward to Kalama (the Americans call it Johnston) Island. The exclusive economic zone extends 297 miles beyond the outer limits of this archipelagic line. To claim anything less is to sell ourselves short of our full entitlement. Question: Would you be willing to settle for Kaho`olawe, Makua, and the Hawaiian Homestead lands as constituting the land base of the Hawaiian Nation? Answer: If someone stole eight of your children, would you be satisfied if he returned only one, and bits and pieces of the other seven? Question: I guess not. In your earlier response, you said that non- indigenous people would also be citizens of the Hawaiian nation. How would the territories of the nation be used for Hawaii's first people? Answer: What islands or lands (and waters) do we dedicate exclusively to the practice and regeneration of the culture and philosophy of the po'e Hawai`i? That question should be answered not through the romanticizing of our people or our culture but by a serious assessment of the extent of the need, the human resources available to meet the need and the demand and the aspirations of the people who are willing to dedicate themselves to that task. Those assessments have not yet been made in a clear and dispassionate fashion. Question: Does that mean another long-drawn out "study?" Answer: Hopefully, not too long or drawn out, but we shouldn't take a hit or miss approach either. We can already see a definite and growing demand for lands and waters to be set aside. We could immediately respond to some of the needs. For example, we need to support projects, organizations and programs such as the `Opelu project, Ka`ala Farm project, Wai`anae Coast Community Alternative Development Corporation, Waipa Association of Hanalei, Ahahui La`au Lapa`au, Kupuna and Hawaiian language and culture programs in the schools, Protect Kaho`olawe Ohana, Hawaiian Studies Center, the various Hula associations, Canoe clubs, and other similar activities. These organizations and activities are gauges to the ever growing demand for the revitalization of Hawaii's indigenous cultures. As a starting point, it seems some land and ocean areas are already prime for setting aside as Hawaiian cultural centers. Makua and Kahanahaiki valleys and beaches in the Wai`anae district are perhaps the best of these areas, considering the vast majority of that land are either government or crown lands, considering that it is sufficiently isolated from urban areas, considering it is a complete ahupua`a and considering that it is in the District with the highest concentration of indigenous peoples in all Hawai`i. Other prime places are Kaho`olawe, Waipi`o, Waipa, Miloli`i, Kahana, Waimanalo, Nanakuli, Ka`'ala, Hana, Makena, and many more. Question: Well, before we get too carried away with how we're going to divide up the lands, maybe we should first look at how we're going to achieve self-determination. What strategy do you have to make it come about? Answer: It is unwise to put forth a single strategy to achieve Self- Determination. To do so would simply draw concentrated opposition and increase the possibility of failure. Rather, we should continue in first establishing good foundations of understanding and encourage the continuing development of strategists in all parts of society, working their own strategies in accordance with their circumstances. Yet we must avoid the danger of hampering the overall progress toward self-determination. Strategists should share some common understandings basic to our struggle. Some of them are: 1 - Never sacrifice the long term goal of Hawaii's self determination for short term triumphs. Self Determination is never for sale. Therefore, those seeking reparations, restitution, and/or settlement of "native claims" as well as those who would settle for a semi- autonomous state - the "nation within a nation" notion - can not eliminate the right of others who are pursuing full and complete nationhood. 2. Hawaii's national history and indigenous cultural roots must continue as the foundation of the Hawaiian Nation and remain a point of reference. 3. We cannot build a Hawaiian Nation on racism. The Nation of Hawai`i in 1893 was composed of citizens of the indigenous Hawaiian race as well as of people of many other races and cultures. The crucial determination for citizenship was not race but relationship to Hawai`i - "ka po'e aloha 'aina." A few strategies we can employ immediately are: A. Invoke your Hawaiian citizenship today. We are a sovereign nation, invaded and still occupied by the United States of America. If we don't begin living our sovereignty now, who will live it and when? How will our national consciousness ever come about? Some Hawaiian citizens, notably children, have asserted their citizenship by refusing to stand for the American flag or the pledge of allegiance or the singing of the national anthem; some have refused to pay taxes to the U.S.; some have challenged the jurisdiction of the American courts to sit in judgment of Hawaiian citizens in criminal cases (Sand Island and Makua Beach . . . ). We encourage people to select opportunities to live their Hawaiian citizenship today, even in the face of persecution and sacrifice. B. Build the national consciousness. Promoting Hawaiian national consciousness, through action and education, broadens the support and strengthens the nation. A national consciousness is the essence of a nation and manifests itself in the reactions and attitudes of its citizens to any act which infringes on the nation's interests, dignity, sovereignty or independence. It is the fuel for rebuilding the nation. C. Networking Internationally. The United Nations, through its Charter and Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and its Working Group on Indigenous Populations offers the Hawaiian Nation three avenues for asserting Hawaiian nationhood and bringing Hawaii's story to international scrutiny and action. Many other international or regional forums are available and should be worked. International human rights organizations abound and need to hear Hawaii's story. Even international travelers, including tourists, should be told Hawaii's story, simply, truthfully, with dignity & strength. Question: That's a lot of information to hang on to for awhile. If people wanted to join your organization, how would they do it? Answer: They can contact us, The Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs at 86-649 Puuhulu Road, Wai`anae, Hawai`i 96792- 2723. But joining our organization is not really necessary. And we're not into building a large membership. It would be more important if people would commit themselves to never stop searching for answers, to measure their own circumstance, and act in a manner which retains the dignity of our people and is fair to all peoples. In other words, understand Aloha, don't be afraid of it, and live it.