For the past 123 years, since an attempted coup of the Hawaiian Monarchy by a gang of terrorists in 1893, the Hawaiian Islands have seen a government supporting racism. Before the coup, no matter your ethnicity, if you were living in Hawaii, you were identified as Hawaiian, a subject of the Hawaiian Kingdom. But, since the coup and even today, the official policy defines, identifies, and rewards or punishes residents of Hawaii according to race. “Any institution which divides mankind into different kinds of races is, by definition, racist.”
Lately, there has been a great deal of discussion, funding and activity about reinstating the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Nation. While the discussion varies widely between native Hawaiians, longtime kamaaina, and politicians, both in Hawaii and in Washington, the main premise seems to be, in all cases, the formation of a new and independent Hawaiian State, separate and very different from the State of Hawaii. What little consensus there is seems to support a model reminiscent of that adopted by Native Americans throughout many regions on the mainland.
There is a very fundamental problem with that tribal model, however, in that it calls for a separation of State of Hawaii residents into groups based primarily, if not solely, on race or ethnicity. Setting aside for the moment, the difficulty in establishing what constitutes “being Hawaiian” in the first place, the idea of separating people by race is, in fact, racism.
And therein is the problem. Hawaii is and has always been a place of and about aloha. To be sure, aloha can and does mean many things. Those things certainly include an attitude of welcome and warmth, of friendship and even love. Those things certainly do not include racism.
Rather than racially identifying “native Hawaiians” as a new American tribe, there is another way, a better way, to accomplish change for the better. And it is one that can also end 123 years of accumulated serial racism.
The proposal is for the County of Hawaii (the Big Island) to separate from the State of Hawaii and form a new state, the 51st state, to be named “HAWAI'I ISLAND.” “HAWAI'I ISLAND” would be a state free of racism, much like the original Hawaiian Kingdom. “HAWAI'I ISLAND” would become the first real racism free USA State! All the Hawaii Island residents of “HAWAI'I ISLAND” would be considered to be Hawaiian, ethnicity would not be considered. There would be no racial identities, no racial profiling, no racial questions on forms, no racial tribalism. All “HAWAI'I ISLAND” Hawaiians would be members of only one race, the Human Race, free from submission to racial policies and racial laws, and free from reliance on race based funding.
HOW CAN IT HAPPEN?
WHO?
It will take the cooperation and support of the Hawaii County Mayor and the County’s 9 Council Members.
WHAT?
Residents need to elect only those representatives that support the movement.
WHEN?
As early as the 2016 Hawaii County elections, with a referendum to investigate the process needed.
WHERE?
The initiative needs to begin in public discussions, move to social media, and then to the ballot box.
HOW?
People who support the initiative need to band together to get the discussion started.
WHY?
To reestablish a true aloha state where everyone is equal and there is no racism.
To support the concept of one race, The Human Race, free from submission to racial policies and racial laws, and free from reliance on race based funding.
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