click on photos to enlarge!"States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions."
Noam Chomsky
"If... the machine of government... is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law." Henry Thoreau
"The first principal of nonviolent action is that of noncooperation with everything humiliating."
Cesar Chavez
Yesterday, January 17th, marked the 116th anniversary of the overthrow of the legitimate Hawaiian Kingdom largly at the hands of American residents - some born in the islands.
Wearing a red shirt and carrying a small Hawaiian flag I joined the Ku I Ka Pono March commemorating the sad event, and protesting Governor Lingle (R). She is attempting to monetize the Royal Lands which the State administers SUPPOSEDLY for the benefit of the Native Hawaiian People, the Kanaka Maoli. Many of our airports, harbors & public university campuses stand on these so called "ceeded lands." and yet Hawaiian elderly, handicapped and families with babies sleep under tarps at remote beaches.
In 1998 scholars working in the National Archives in Washington D.C. uncovered a document forgotten for a hundred years: the Ku`e Petitition. It had been sent to Congress to protest the Queen's arrest and demanding the resotration of soveriegnty. It had been signed by almost every citizen of these islands. When copies circulated in the press, contemporary Hawaii citizens were touched and uplifted to see their Kupuna's (elders) signatures on the suppressed and forgotten document. President Clinton formally apologized for the U.S. role, but. . .
Loving Hawaii and her people as I do, while loving the land of refuge for my Kupuna - the U.S.A. - is like being the child of a complicated marriage. You love both of your parents, but must wonder at their relationship sometimes. Most Hawaiians are proud citizens of the U.S. and they serve, and have served the nation with distinction. But as they fight for the freedom of others, they no doubt long for their rightful dignity at home in these islands. . .
Kaulana Na Pua
"Famous are the Flowers"
or
"The Stone Eating Song"
Famous are the people of Hawaii
Who love the land, the `aina
Who care not for the wealth of the world
But are satisfied
With the pohaku, the stones of this `aina
They rather take the stones for bread
No one will fix a signature
To the paper of the enemy
With its sin of annexation
And sale of Native Civil Rights
We do not value
The governments sums of money.
We are satisfied with the stones
Astonishing food of the land.
January, 1893
A L O H A? Cloudia
