Hawaiian sovereignty movement

The Hawaiian sovereignty movement is comprised of a loose coalition of groups that seek self-determination and self-governance for Native Hawaiians (or more broadly Hawaiian nationals regardless of ethnicity), and redress from the United States for its alleged role in the 1893 intervention and overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, and what is seen as a prolonged military occupation beginning in 1898. While these groups share this common concern, their views on how these ends should be achieved vary greatly.

Responses to the sovereignty movement

Apologies

Due to efforts by the various Hawaiian sovereignty movements and other Native-Hawaiian activist groups, the United States government and the state government of Hawaii have issued official apologies in recent years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some with a different perspective of the historical record (see "Opposition" below) sharply disagree with these apologies, questioning the accuracy and validity of the case made for them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S. government apologizes:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• On November 15, 1993 President of the United States Bill Clinton signed an Apology Resolution, admitting that the U.S. was at fault in supplying military assistance to the "conspirators" who overthrew the government of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Hawaiian governors apologize:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• "The recovery of Hawaiian self-determination is not only an issue for Hawaiʻi, but for America. Let all of us, Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian, work toward a common goal. Let us resolve to advance a plan for Hawaiian sovereignty." —Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, 1998
• "This is a historical issue, based on a relationship between an independent government and the United States of America, and what has happened since and the steps that we need to take to make things right." —Governor Linda Lingle, 2003

Backlash

There has also been something of a backlash against the concept of ancestry-based sovereignty, which critics maintain is tantamount to racial exclusion. In 1996, in Rice v. Cayetano, one Big Island rancher sued to win the right to vote in OHA elections, asserting that any Hawaiian citizen should be able to vote for a state office, and that limiting the vote to Native Hawaiians was racism. In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor and OHA elections are now open to all registered voters. Many Native Hawaiian groups now fear that other preferences based on Native Hawaiian ancestry may be in danger.

Related Topics:
Rice v. Cayetano - Racism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although the Apology Resolution passed 65–34 in the U.S. Senate and by a two-thirds voice vote in the House, and without much public fanfare outside Hawaii, the Akaka Bill has generated a higher profile for the issues involved. An increasingly organized opposition now challenges the accuracy of historical claims and constitutionality of legislation they view as racially exclusive.

Related Topics:
Apology Resolution - Akaka Bill

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Native Hawaiians battle in the courts and in Congress Honolulu Advertiser chronology of legislative and legal events relating to Hawaiian sovereignty since 1996
• PDF file (592 KB): Hawaii Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand 49-page document by Bruce Fein, a lawyer working with sovereignty opponents, attacking the Apology Resolution and S.147 (the Akaka bill).