The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement

For decades, Native Hawaiians have fought for the recognition of their sovereignty following the U.S. annexation of Hawaii in 1898. The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, led by American businessmen and supported by the U.S. military, marked the beginning of Hawaii’s colonization. Despite fierce opposition from the Native Hawaiian people, including petitions and direct appeals to Congress, Hawaii was eventually annexed and later became the 50th U.S. state in 1959 ​(The HISTORY Channel)​ (AFAR Media).

Seeking to address the long-standing injustices of this annexation and restore Hawaiian land and governance, this movement has grown over time, rooted in Hawaiian values of aloha ʻāina, a deep connection to the land. Native Hawaiians have protested militarization, land mismanagement, and the exploitation of their resources​ (The HISTORY Channel).

Fight for Recognition

The sovereignty movement is not a monolithic effort, with different factions advocating for various outcomes. Some seek full independence from the U.S., arguing that Hawaii remains an illegally occupied nation. Others advocate for federal recognition similar to that of Native American tribes, aiming to reclaim ancestral lands for cultural and economic development. This movement ties into the broader Indigenous rights movement, as Native Hawaiians work to preserve their language, culture, and way of life ​(AFAR Media).

In the 1970s, the movement gained significant traction with activism against the military use of Kahoʻolawe Island for bombing practice, leading to the end of military occupation and the return of the island to the state ​(The HISTORY Channel). More recently, protests over the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain, have drawn global attention to Native Hawaiian sovereignty issues.

Environmental Degradation

Tourism, military activities, and overdevelopment have put immense strain on Hawaii's natural resources. One significant example is the Red Hill water contamination crisis, where a jet fuel leak from a U.S. military storage facility in Oahu poisoned the water supply for thousands of residents ​(AFAR Media). This crisis has highlighted deeper concerns about the exploitation of Hawaiian land and water resources, disproportionately affecting Native Hawaiian communities.

Water scarcity, driven by military contamination and climate change, poses a direct threat to the health and safety of Hawaiians. The Red Hill incident is part of a larger pattern of environmental degradation caused by decades of tourism-driven overdevelopment. These issues have raised questions of environmental justice, as local communities bear the brunt of the impact while corporate interests benefit.

Housing Crisis

Hawaii is now one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. Overdevelopment and the influx of wealthy foreign investors have caused housing prices to skyrocket, displacing Native Hawaiians and long-term residents. Many properties are turned into short-term vacation rentals, benefiting tourism at the expense of local housing ​(AFAR Media).

This economic displacement threatens to erode Hawaiian culture, as more families are forced to leave the islands in search of affordable housing. Hawaii has one of the highest per capita homelessness rates in the U.S., a direct consequence of rising rents and property values. Wealth inequality, fueled by tourism, is contributing to the erosion of local identity and community ​(AFAR Media).

Why It Matters

The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement is a fight for cultural preservation, environmental justice, and economic equality. The challenges faced by Native Hawaiians are part of a broader struggle for Indigenous rights, both in the U.S. and globally. The housing and environmental crises in Hawaii exemplify the impacts of colonization, militarization, and overdevelopment on Indigenous peoples.

How to Help

Here are some ways to support Native Hawaiian rights and the sovereignty movement:

1. Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA): Supporting efforts to protect Native Hawaiian rights and resources. Learn more here.

2. Protect Mauna Kea Movement: A grassroots effort to stop overdevelopment on sacred land. Support the cause here.

3. Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC): Working to restore the island of Kahoʻolawe after decades of military bombing. Learn more here.