A JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC WRITING VOLUME 5

and structured debates concerning artifacts and
reburials if they were part of a sovereign Hawaiian
government.
A sovereign Hawaiian government, whether
linked to the U.S. or not, is essential in the progression
of the Hawaiian Islands. It would allow Hawaiians
to collectively make decisions they can agree on, or at
least be satisfied with the representation they receive
for decision making. Issues regarding burial sites,
ancient artifacts, land access for religious ceremonies,
and Hawaiian Trust fund management would no
longer be topics of public debate. Hawaiians, as
an indigenous people, have a right to control these
matters themselves (Haunani-Kay Trask 16). The
desire for autonomy has been made evident by the
creation of organizations such as Ka Lahui Hawai’i,
Ka Pakaukau, Hui Malama and others. Now, Native
Hawaiians are waiting for the political recognition
they deserve.
Hawaiians deserve sovereignty with the ability
to break away from the U.S. if they choose. The list
of grievances enacted upon the Hawaiian people by
the U.S. government is long and extensive. Multiple
political groups and organizations have already been
formed in the pursuit of achieving sovereignty. It is
now a question of when sovereignty will occur, rather
than if it will occur. Ka Pakaukau seems like the
best choice for sovereignty for the islands. It would
allow for a gradual shift of power from a U.S. state
to an independent nation. The measure would also
probably take several years, which would give current
residents enough time to decide whether to move or
become citizens of the new nation. Most importantly,
as an independent nation Hawai’i could control many
aspects of life here that will shape the future of the
islands. Leaders could set limits on immigration and
tourism. This is crucial for slowing the degradation
of the finite natural resources found in Hawai’i. The
government could establish committees to discuss
and decide issues concerning native interests such
as burial rights and Hawaiian artifacts. A public
relations committee could be created to promote
realistic images of Hawai’i in the tourist industry.
Most importantly, sovereignty would help give
recognition and respect to the Hawaiian people. The
knowledge that they control their own affairs would
boost the confidence of the entire nation.
A strong case has been made for Hawaiian
sovereignty. There are many tough decisions that
have to be made before sovereignty takes place.
When it does take place, then Hawaiians can once
again benefit from the land which raised them.
55
WORKS CITED
Ayau, Edward Halealoha. “Native Burials: Human
Rights and Sacred Bones.” Cultural Survival. 1-4.
7 June 2001 .
Conklin, Kenneth. “NAGPRA as applied to Hawai’i-
Mokapu, Honokahua, Bishop Museum Ka’ai;
Providence Museum Spear Rest; Forbes Cave
Artifacts; the Hui Malama organization.”
Angelfire.com 1-16. 7 August 2006 .
Kamau’u, Mahealani and H.K. Bruss Keppeler.
“What might sovereignty look like?” Price of
Paradise. Vol. 2. Ed. Randall Roth. Honolulu:
Mutual Publishing, 1992. 294-301.
Keppeler, H.K. Bruss. “Why would the State pay over
$100 million in damages to Hawaiians and still
go along with demands for ‘sovereignty’?” Price
of Paradise. Vol. 1. Ed. Randall Roth. Honolulu:
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Silva, Noenoe. “Kanaka Maoli Resistance to
Annexation.” Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal
Dec. 1998: 40-73.
Trask, Haunani-Kay. “Settler of Color and
‘Immigrant’ Hegemony: ‘Locals’ in Hawai’i.”
Amerasia Journal 26:2 (2000): 1-24.
Trask, Mililani. “Ka Lahui Hawai’i: A Native
Initiative for Sovereignty.” Turning the Tide:
Journal of Anti-Racist Activism, Research and
Education 6 (1993): 5-6. 25 Nov. 2006 < http://
www.Hawai’i-nation.org/turningthetide-6-4.
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This paper was written for English 100.