The photographs of Ed Greevy, who began
documenting the Hawaii land rights movement in 1971, were the
catalyst for a new book, “A Nation Rising: Hawaiian Movements forLife, Land, and Sovereignty.”
Through Ed's photographs and essays
contributed by academics, activists, filmmakers and others — including
me — “A Nation Rising” chronicles the political struggles and
grassroots initiatives collectively known as the Hawaiian sovereignty
movement.
I wrote the chapter entitled Kauai:
Resisting Pressure to Change, which describes how locals struggled to
protect their communities from displacement by tourist development
and explores the subsequent evolution of the island's grassroots
movement. The chapter covers such major land use issues as the
Niumalu-Nawiliwili evictions, the hotel at Nukolii, gentrification,
A&B's Kukuiula project, Wailua resort development, the Superferry
protests, burials at Naue and the battle over biotech.
It will no doubt be a trip down memory
lane for many locals, and will hopefully serve as a good primer on
the historical roots of land use struggles to help round out the knowledge base
of young and/or newcomer activists.
Kauai resident Mehana Blaich Vaughn
contributed a portrait on Puanani Burgess, and longtime Kauai
activist Puanani Rogers is also profiled. Kapua Sproat, who grew up
in Kalihiwai, writes about “seeking justice through law for
Hawaii's streams and communities.”
Other chapters discuss ethnic studies,
the revitalization of the Hawaiian language, Wao Kele O Puna and Pele
Defense Fund, Waiahole-Waikane, colonization, the Akaka Bill,
resisting biocolonialism, East Maui water struggles and the movement
to stop the military bombing of Kahoolawe.
Other contributors are Noa Emmett
Aluli, Ibrahim G. Aoudé, Kekuni Blaisdell, Noelani Goodyear-Ka'opua,
Ulla Hasager, Pauahi Ho'okano, Micky Huihui, Ikaika Hussey, Manu
Ka'iama, Le'a Malia Kanehe, J. Kehaulani Kauanui, Anne Keala Kelly,
Jacqueline Lasky, Davianna Pomaika'i McGregor, Nalani Minton,
Kalamaoka'aina Niheu, Katrina-Ann R. Kapa'anaokalaokeola Nakoa
Oliveira, Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, Leon No'eau Peralto,
Kekailoa Perry, Puhipau, Noenoe K. Silva, Ty P. Kawika Tengan, Kuhio
Vogeler and Erin Kahunawaika'ala Wright.
The book was published by Duke
University Press, and can be purchased through its website and at Native Books on Oahu.
Been there. Done that. Walter Ritte was instrumental during this time. It always got me upset when I saw such awful comments about him on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI remember this time, although later into it, about 78, and the early 80's. We had an incredible time during each of these movements. it is why we still do it, and will continue to do it when we feel that the safety health and welfare of the people is being challenged, and when we feel that it's time to wake up rise up, and all of that.
It always surprises me, that some people forget why and how all of this "protesting" started. The locals started it. How it got from mostly locals, to all of this "Oh it's rich haoles protesting, and the brown skins are the ones they are protesting against.".
That is sheer lunacy. Anyone who was actually there and participating in these events and will continue to participate in these events, knows it is the most racist thing in the world to not be able to see the brown faces in a crowd, but only the fairer complexioned, many of whom are actually part local, descendents, children, grandchildren and spouses and ohana. Such racism is overwhelming, and disgusting.
I am very glad to see you, Joan, remembering this time. it is hard to think about and brings tears. Of frustration. Also, with the passing of Doric Yaris a dear friend and someone who thought much as I do about many things, it is even harder.
We need to band together, and not separate. the time has come for everyone to realize there is a struggle going on in Hawaii, and it will require not only documentation of the media, but the people taking it to the streets. Change is never happening quietly. that it disturbs some is just too damned bad.
That the ranks of those marching with the locals, much like the freedom fighters in the day, are ostracized is nothing new. Its pure racism.
I hope that this post changes hearts and minds.
Bravo for doing it Joan, and remembering that there really are heroes, like Walter Ritte, and many others who put themselves on the line for this.
Perhaps we can all now stop slinging mud at each other and move foreword together.
Walter Ritte may have done some good things but unfortunately he sold out along the way.
ReplyDeleteThe protests did start with locals back in the day but they dropped out when the mainland haoles started to take over and the tactics changed.
Do not make the mistake of thinking the anti-GMO movement is synonymous with the sovereignty movement. It's not.
I disagree whole hardheartedly with you. If you have been involved with this, in the trenches, you would not feel that way. The number one thing we all hoped for one day was that everyone else would "get it", and be with us on stuff. Walter has been instrumental in the GMO battle. And it is a battle it is a war, for the same reasons as anything else.
ReplyDeleteMy upset is so deep about people not seeing the BROWN faces in the GMO movement just the white ones. The belittling of the people, especially Walter. he is no sell out, and saying that angers a lot of local people.
I just cannot imagine that anyone that was there for these events could ever think such a thing, and could also think that LOCALS are not up in arms about GMO's. of course they are, and they are out there, in those protests. Judging my skin color is ridiculous.
The GMO movement, and the sovereignty movement go hand in hand. It is the same principle, the same over-lording of the peoples will. It is at the heart and core of these issues the same.
I know cuz I was there, and am still there and I know how I personally feel and a lot of my ohana.
The thing that angers them the most is this, and I quote from one of my family:
"What they think we all haoles, what they can't see us in there, what we too dark for them?". This is a absolute true statement.
I have never forgotten it, and it is why I keep pushing the way I do.
That person was a very beloved Auntie of mine, who has since passed on. I keep what she said burning inside of me. I am determined to get everyone to see that this is not a black, white issue, it is a people issue.
The people need to determine their own future and what they want. The ones that will be buried on this grounds. That's the ones ya gotta listen to.
And I tell you that I walked next to my ohana. Pure Hawaiians. The Hawaiians were in the front. I said.."stay there in the front don't fall to the back", and everyone did their best to do just that.
And I am talking about protests from 30, 20 10 and now. Always.
Locals do lead. They don't care who joins the fight. They admire the ones that do, that care to help.
You guys have it so frickin wrong, it hurts my heart.
Auwe.
2:56
ReplyDeleteWhat island are you from?
Not Kauai, guarenz ballbearenz.
Yea, you're right, he's so much of a leader that even when he ran for office, his own island people didn't elect him.
ReplyDeleteThat's how strong he was.
He's still is that powerful, corn is still raised on his island, and the people still accept corn on the island.
you stay on your side of the island, they stay on theirs. just tolerate each other.
one person, one vote come November.
I am Kauai all the way. I was there. Not a single one of you posting here was, knows Walter, was there with us, or knows anything. Joan because she wrote some stuff and took pictures. All of you don't know WTF you are talking about. Makes me sick.
ReplyDeleteAnd saying garans ballbaranz don't make you local. BEING local makes you local.
I walk my talk every single damned day. All you guys do is yau-yau. Blah blah, and bullshit assumptions.
None of you was there, and that is the guaranz ballbaranz that I know.
If you were, you would feel it deep. You don't know Walter, the people of Moloka'i. You don't know Hawaiians. You may THINk you do, but you don't.
You weren't there. Joan put this up, so she knew it would re live all this stuff for us. It's making me relive a lot.
That you can write this stuff shows you are just egging stuff on. you don't feel it deep, understand it, and you weren't there. (Talking about the posters, not Joan.)
The guy in the pic sure ain't you. Cuz I know who that is (The top pic), and I know u ain't him.
You aren't from Hawaii even. I live this life every day of my life. I am gonna be buried here. You and your yau-yau don't matter. You aren't with us. The day I see the people on this blog stand shoulder to shoulder with real Hawaiians, and real locals and real people that care, that's when things will change.
I been pretty mad at Joan lately, but this just makes it right in my eyes. I see she is trying to mend the gap, bring us all back to the side with each other. But posters like you just keep the wounds wide open and raw. We won't heal that way. At least Joan is trying.. But right now she is a saint compared to the rest of you. She had the guts to bring all of this back up. And Walter Ritte is as much a traitor as Neil Armstrong landed on Mars instead of the moon.
How disrespectful can you be to the Hawaiian martyrs of Kaho'olawe? Shame. Hewa to the max.
You guys are so hung up on this GMO thing, that you can't let it go, and you yell at the other guys for it but you doing the same thing only worse.
You hung up cuz Walter took the opposite from you. What does this have to do with that? You lolo for sure. You don't know cuz you weren't there.
This is put up for us who were there. And none of us are traitors, to the core of what made us and keeps making us stand up, and fight.
And we are gonna keep going, too whether any of you like it or not. We are gonna speak out. We are gonna march. We are gonna protest and we are gonna keep educating people. We don't care what you think or what you say.
You can't put up something like this, and then try to rip Walter. He was the core of this, the original trio, he lost a brother, a friend.
Like I said, you don't know nothing.
What did you ever do in your life? YEah, thought so.
It's easy to tear big men down when you are a little man.
Again thanks Joan, I am glad you put this up.
But I am sorry sometimes people have no heart.
Sorry i got huhu but this is kinda emotional to see, remember and think about.
A Nation Rising
ReplyDeleteIs available at amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Nation-Rising-Movements-Sovereignty-Narrating/dp/0822356953/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412743304&sr=8-1&keywords=a+nation+rising
People like us will still keep the island divided. Not everyone is walking the anti road. Your friends, my friends walk on diffent sides of the road.
ReplyDeleteBoth sides have every nationality on it. How we write on this blog, can and will bring out the best and worst in us.
That's why, come November, one vote per person. After that whatever happens, happens. Life will continue to move on, with or without our anger.
Good luck. Seriously!
6:16. So when are the "hawaiians" going to take Hawaii back ? You know the "real" hawaiians.... The ones that feel it deep down inside . I realize that you walk the talk everyday.....so when ? Got a date ? How about a century. You have no fight in you just jabberjab BS . What is your plan ?
ReplyDeleteInteresting to note more people commented on the day before than this post. I guess many of your readers are completely into politics right now.Your voice and this blog give us somewhere to express the joys and frustrations. Mahalo
ReplyDeletethis is a great link, can't wait to read it cover to cover
If we continue to distinguish ourselves as Black, Hispanic, Hawaiian, Haole, etc., we will lose. While we can embrace our heritage we must more fully embrace being American. America is hurting - drugs, unemployment, underemployment, hunger, homelessness - issues that don't discriminate based on ethnicity, history of our ancestors or the level of pigment in our skin. Continue to stoke the flames of division and we'll get exactly that - continued division - an us vs. them mentality. Unify by seeing your green or blue skinned neighbor as part of the same human race and we have a chance at progress. Bigotry, hatred and division runs deep - on all sides. Are you willing to take a positive step forward?
ReplyDeleteThe issue of Hawaiian sovereignty will not be solved until the majority of Hawaiians unite. As long as Hawaiians are splintered in various groups each claiming their legitimacy to represent all Hawaiians, then nothing will be accomplished. This is why the State of Hawaii got involved. It's trying to bring all NH's together so a unified entity can be created. One which will speak of all NH's everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd then what?? Take back the land? Kick out the military? Where does it end, REALISTICALLY?
ReplyDelete@12:27, 2:56,6:16 Mahalo nui loa for telling it like it is! Hope to read more from you in the future.
ReplyDelete6:15 We need to embrace our Hawaiian heritage. It is our American heritage that is causing all the suffering. Perhaps a little research into American and Hawaiian history will reveal to you the reason for the current state of affairs- that Hawaii is a sovereign nation illegally occupied by the USA. If you disagree with the last statement, I would appreciate historical evidence proving otherwise. This is not America and never has been.
ReplyDelete6:15. So if it is yours when will you take it back ?
ReplyDeleteGet real. There is no turning back. Any talk to that affect is ignorant blathering. No way in hell is there or will there be any consent of the governed for Hawaii to be anything but the 50th State. Without the consent of the governed you got squat. So much for nation rising.
ReplyDelete