Anthropology 387 Essay: Perpetuating Hawaiian Cultural Sovereignty

This essay examines the historical and ongoing struggle for Hawaiian sovereignty, tracing the political and cultural dimensions of the movement from the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 to contemporary efforts. It explores the various attempts to regain sovereignty, including the Akaka Bill and the concept of cultural sovereignty, or cultural integrity, as a form of self-determination. The essay analyzes key events such as the annexation of Hawaii by the United States, the role of figures like Queen Lili'uokalani, and the significance of Polynesian voyaging in asserting cultural identity. It also discusses the internal debates within the Hawaiian community regarding the path to sovereignty and the challenges faced by sovereignty groups. The essay highlights the importance of cultural sovereignty and the efforts to preserve Hawaiian traditions and values in the face of external pressures and historical injustices.

Running Head: PERPETUATING CULTURAL SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH VOYAGE
Perpetuating cultural soverignty through voyage
Student’s Name
University Name
Author’s Note

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Actions are gradually underway which will help in disassembling the illegal political
relationship that USA has been holding for so long with Hawaii. This political relationship was
established by USA in the year 1959 when the declared Hawaii, a state of USA. Currently many
political analysts as well as social forces have been operating in the direction of making the
Hawaiian Kingdom of Free State by sovereignty. This movement had gained the ground long
ago, however in the recent past; activism on this ground had waned. After the popular support
from international law, this movement has gained in new ground.
Hawaii is gradually going through a phase of cultural transformation where they are
naturally learning that it is mandatory and an obligation for them to follow the laws of Hawaiian
Kingdom and we should refrain from following the legal framework of the USA for paying the
taxes determined by US government.
However, Michelle analyses that the residents of Hawaii are following this call to
Sovereignty since there finding that the practices are actually economically advantages. This
implies that the cultural or psychological acceptance of Hawaii as a Sovereign state has not been
accomplished by the residents of the Hawaiian state.
In 1843, came the official recognition of Hawaii as a Sovereign state under modern
politics. More than 90 embassies as well as Consulates all over the world including France,
United States as well as the Great Britain participated in the act of this recognition. In fact, as
stated by Craig, the Iolani Palace of Hawaii had electricity connections as well as services like
telephony even before the same facilities were available in the White House of America.
In the year 1893, The Police chief, Charles Wilson, anticipating chances of a treason and
insurgence, launched a detailed investigation. It was apprehended that there was an ongoing

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conspiracy to overthrow Queen Lili‘uokalani, which drove the investigation. Among the other
Americans, Sanford Dole from the Dole Fruit had also been investigated. However, as per James
and Huss, none of the apprehended victims could be charged, as immediately before their arrest,
the American army landed on to the scene.
The act of treason was liable to receive death penalty. However, in order to avoid
collision of the civilians against the armed forces, Queen Lili‘uokalani, wilfully surrendered her
authority to the government of USA. Her ultimate motive was to
“Undo the actions of its representative and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as
the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands.”
However, President Harrison had other plans. He was interested to get hold of Hawaii
and convert it in to a protective base for the American military force. Therefore, it is obvious that
her powers were not reinstalled. On the contrary, Strauss, informs that Lorrin Thurston who was
actually under trial against act of treason, returned Washington and thereupon filed the Treaty for
Cessation, calling the queen a tyrant as well as demanding the annexation of the Hawaiian
Islands.
In the count of time, Harrison was being replaced by Grover Cleveland as the
president who understood the principles of the queen and undertook actions as per the protestant
demands of the Queen. He launched an investigatory activity which yielded as an outcome that
the ambassador from USA had originally violated the International Laws. There was an
extensive argumentative session with the queen and in the end the act of restoration of the
Hawaiian government was accomplished in the year 1893.

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As observed by Williams and Vernadette, the issue of conflict of USA within the political
scenario could have been over at that time only, if the Congress had not intervened. With
majority support, Congress, refused to provide authorisation to the agreement of the restoration.
The insurgents in Hawaii caught hold of mercenaries from America and attempted to besiege the
land with active civil unrest. After the ascension of William McKinley in the place of President
Cleveland, activism to illegally occupy Hawaii, once again had started promptly. The agreements
made between the Queen and the former President was illegally and irrationally ignored by the
current President Cleveland. In the year, 1897, McKinley was forced to sign the Treaty of
Cession with the insurgents by his side. However, as stated by Quirk, the laws of the Congress
are easily deplorable outside the territory of USA.
Since the Queen as well as the islanders had filed protestations with the State Department
of USA, the senate was not able to ratify the treaty. However, with the advent of war between
Spain and America, on the 4th of May, 1898, a joint resolution had been introduced by Francis
Newlands for the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands. The importance of the occupation of
Guam as well as Philippines was cited as the reason and justification behind the annexation.
Legal enforcement of the Congressional Law from the end of the Congress or the
US authorities was not possible on any foreign country. In fact divisions began to come up
among the Congressmen based on their position regarding the illegal and forceful annexation of
the land of Hawaii. One of the Congressmen, Thomas, H. Ball claimed that the annexation had
been unconstitutional, unnecessary as well as unwise. In spite of that McKinley had to sign the
joint resolution and incorporate the resolution in to law on the 7th of July, 1898. Latter, another
law was passed by the Congress, which thereby led to the creation of the civilian government in
the year 1900 and finally in the year 1959, the state of Hawaii had been created by the Congress.

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Along with intimidation of the political sovereignty of Hawaii, the US Congress have been
attempting subdue the cultural sovereignty of the land. That is why, Hawaii, as stated by (),
should be taking an active step towards professing cultural sovereignty of their land. As
identified by (), it is an intriguing concept that scholarly depictions of the cultural aspects of the
Hawaiian mainland is intimidating the navigation skills of the Polynesians, linking them with the
proximity of accident. The imperative that is allured by them is that the islanders possess
primitive cultures. Yet the voyages of Hokule’a journeys which are integral aspect of the culture
and tradition of the Hawaiians had time and again proved the advanced skill of the Polynesians’
through its initial journey from the Hawaii Islands to Tahiti and the way back. The
stigmatisation of the immense navigation skill and voyaging knowledge that is needed for the
sailing without any navigational instrument is unacceptable as per ().
The calls for sovereignty as well as self governance have been raised in Hawaii, time and
again. However, Moore assesses that it is the debate from within that hinders the pace of the
movement. The Hawaiians are ambiguous about the how the government of the country will be
operating after the sovereignty has been achieved. Yet, Sharma, argues that until the civilians of
Hawaii erect their own government, they would not be able to interact officially with the US or
the other states.
Inspired by movements organised by Michelle Kauhane, the writer of the
constitution for the Hawaiian communities demanding sovereignty, small groups of sovereignty
have already been existing in the Hawaiian mainland. However, Sharma, argues that the
legitimacy of the demand or the constitution comes in to question because of the very low
membership as well as the lack of accreditation on the part of government of USA.

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One of the eminent groups supporting sovereignty is the Nation of Hawaii, developed in
the year 1994 by Dennis Kanahele went to acquire state lease of one 45 acre compound and
developed it as the land base of the Nation of Hawaii. As a gesture symbolising defiance, 300
people were being led in to an occupation at the East Oahu beach. After a standoff for 15
months, the Governor of Hawaii, John Waihee was embedded to offer him trade for peace. A
land parcel estimated $3000 every year had been imposed on Kanahele as well as his supporters
many of whom were actually homeless and it was affixed that they cold exhibit and undertaken
measures of sovereignty in that restricted land. The groups demanding sovereignty in Hawaii are
also demanding for proficiency of cultural sovereignty also. They are resisting the attempt of the
US intruders, mainly the white scholars who are attempting to establish that Hawaiian pacific
islanders largely possess simple as well as primitive culture and technologies. The Hawaiian
culture of ocean voyaging have been portrayed by detractors as achievements that occurred by
accident. The lack of canoe technology, skill and adaptability for long range sailing among the
Hokule’a drivers makes the trips dangerous. However, Hawaii has not been intimidated by such
detractors and projected all aspects of their tourism with glory, before the world. In fact this
group of sovereignty demanders are processing for the launch of the alternative currency Aloha
Coin, which is a virtual currency for the members for the “Nation of Hawaii”. There the people
are concerned with nation building only. The nation actually does not have any idea regarding
how to manage the responsibilities of 100 people, 200 people or 1000 people. The nation is still
in the phase of theoretical implications. Hawaii is still awaiting the manifestation of a bespoken
leader who will convince the US for transition of the land from the stature of a state in to
sovereignty.

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