May 17, 2011
Update on activities regarding the restoration of Ke Aupuni o Hawaii, the Hawaiian Kingdom.
May 16-27 – the 10th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples (PFII)
Ho’omaika’i,
Check/mail – Make check or money order payable to:
May 6, 2011
Keeping in touch and updated on activities regarding the restoration of Ke Aupuni o Hawaii, the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono.
Leon Siu writes:
Aloha mai Kakou,
SB1520 Akaka clone passes
On Tuesday, May 3, both the Senate and the House passed SB1520 CD1, “A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.” The bill does two things:
It adds a new chapter in the Hawaii Revised Statutes to recognize the native Hawaiian people as the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli people of Hawaii. Although this seems innocuous, it is intended to move in concert with the efforts by Senator Akaka and Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation to achieve federal recognition of Native Hawaiians.
It establishes a process for Native Hawaiians to “organize themselves” as a step toward developing a full-fledged “reorganized Native Hawaiian governing entity” and, ultimately federal recognition.
The bill is meant as a way to prime the pump and to jump start the federal Akaka bill now languishing before the US Congress.
SB1520 contains several major flaws that we can exploit, not only to undermine and waylay it, but to advance our claim as a still existing independent nation. Another good thing is that, unlike the Akaka bill, this battle will take place on our home turf and will be about our home turf!
Soon the state legislature will find that they just unwittingly signed up for a MMA match they cannot win.
SCR55 Discoverers Day to Indigenous People’s Day
Unfortunately, SCR55, the resolution to change the state holiday designation of Discoverers Day to Indigenous People’s Day did not get to a vote on the floor of the house. However, during the process, SCR55 established the intent of the legislature. Next January a bill will be reintroduced to make the necessary statutory change. With the intent established, it should pass the 2012 session without any trouble.
Next UN Meetings
Continuing to build on the progress we’ve made at the UN, there are several upcoming sessions of UN bodies that I will be attending over the next few months — beginning next week (I have to leave May 11).
May 16-27 – the 10th Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples (PFII) at the United Nations in New York City. We will be participating in discussions that concern the future of our nation, including resisting classification under World Heritage Areas; maintaining the validity of Hawaiian Kingdom treaties; participatory democracy and self-determination (voting rights, etc); etc. While in NY I will also be briefing the ex-pat community, international organizations and the diplomatic community on progress being made in the restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
On this trip I will also be making a visit to Washington DC to do briefings to help bolster our cause there.
Transportation has been covered, but I am in need of kokua for other expenses: housing, ground transportation, food, etc. Your kokua is greatly appreciated. See below for how you can contribute.
Ho’omaika’i,
I am,
Leon K. Siu
(808) 265-2085
——-
Any kokua you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
You can get funds to me in the following ways:
Check/mail – Make check or money order payable to:
Leon Siu and mail it to:
PO Box 22, Aiea, Hawaii 96701
(while I’m away, someone will collect, deposit and notify me of contributions that come in) OR …
PayPal – Deposit into PayPal account: leon@hits.net (please notify me by email)
Mahalo!
April 1, 2011
Measures we’ve been tracking that are being considered by the Legislature of the fake State of Hawaii.
Ke Aupuni Update:
Keeping in touch and updated on activities regarding the restoration of Ke Aupuni o Hawaii, the Hawaiian Kingdom. Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono.
Photo: L. Cruz
Leno Siu writes:
Aloha mai Kakou,
Here is an update on some of the more prominent measures we’ve been tracking that are being considered by the Legislature of the fake State of Hawaii. These measures have some bearing on Hawaiian Nationals and our cause to restore Hawaii’s independence. The hearings on these measures are great opportunities to remind them of the ongoing hewa and that the fake state’s days are numbered.Mahalo for the many who came to the State Capitol to make theirs and the voice of the Hawaiian people heard…The testimonies were moving and compelling…Maika’i loa!
In a nutshell, as of today…
Auwe! - Two Akaka bill clones are still alive and on track for passage. However, our strong opposition has had a real impact in slowing it down and we still might stop it.
Maika’i – The resolutions to investigate the Cleveland/Lili’uokalani agreements have a good chance of passing.
Maika’i – The resolution to ‘correct’ the “Treaty of Annexation” error on the McKinley Statue has a good chance of passage.
Maika’i – The resolution to fund the continuation of the Native Hawaiian Convention process is still alive and could pass. If it does, it would stall and derail the Akaka scheme.
Maika’i – Looks like the resolution will be adopted to change the state holiday “Discoverers’ Day” to “Indigenous Peoples Day.”
Here’s the list and status:
(Abbreviation Key: HB=House Bill, SB=Senate Bill, HR=House Resolution, HCR=House Concurrent Resolution, SR=Senate Resolution, SCR=Senate Concurrent Resolution)
HB1627 HD2 (AN AKAKA CLONE!)
Description:
Establishes procedures for state recognition of a first nation government.
STATUS: 2/18/2011 Report adopted; referred to House Finance (FIN did not hear the bill, so it did not make it through the House for the March 10 ‘crossover’ deadline. So it’s essentially dead for now.)
SB1520 SD2 HD2 (AN AKAKA CLONE!)
Description:
Establishes a nine-member commission to prepare, maintain, and certify a roll of qualified Native Hawaiian constituents; establishes requirements and procedures for preparation of the roll; establishes a process of recognition and ratification of governing documents and an interim first nation governing council; authorizes adoption of rules; appropriates unspecified funds for expenditure by the office of Hawaiian affairs. Takes effect July 1, 2011.
STATUS: 3/24/11 Report adopted. referred to the committees on Finance (hearing not yet scheduled)
SB1 SD2 (AN AKAKA CLONE!)
Description:
Relating to state recognition of the Native Hawaiian people, their lands, entitlements, health, education, welfare, heritage, and culture. (Akaka Clone)
STATUS: 3/24/11 Report adopted. referred to the committee on Finance (hearing not yet scheduled)
HCR107 (CLEVELAND/LILI’UOKALANI AGREEMENTS)
Description:
Establishing a joint legislative investigating committee to investigate the status of two executive agreements entered into in 1893 between United States President Grover Cleveland and Queen Lili’uokalani of the Hawaiian Kingdom, called the Lili’uokalani Assignment and the Agreement of Restoration.
STATUS: 3/31/11 Reported from House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs and Water (HAW), referred to Judiciary (JUD). (next hearing not yet scheduled)
HR 258 and HCR293 (McKINLEY STATUE)
Description:
Expressing legislative support for and requesting the removal of the term “Treaty of Annexation” cast in bronze on the statue of President McKinley on the grounds of McKinley High School.
STATUS: 3/31/11 Passed by House Hawaiian Affairs Committee. Next committee: House Education; then House Finance. (next hearing not yet scheduled)
SR29 and SCR55 (CHANGE DISCOVERER’S DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY)
Description:
Requesting the governor to support legislation that re-designates Discoverers’ Day in Hawaii to Indigenous Peoples Day.
STATUS: 3/28/11 Passed by Senate Judiciary Committee. Next: Senate floor vote. If passed, the resolution is adopted by the Senate.
SB57 and HB532 (IOLANI PALACE)
Description:
Transfers law enforcement jurisdiction over Iolani Palace from the department of land and natural resources to the department of public safety.
STATUS: 2/03/11 HELD by Senate Judiciary Committee; DEFERRED by House Public Safety and Military Committee. (these bills are essentially dead)
HCR63 and HR56 (NATIVE HAWAIIAN CONVENTION – FUNDING)
Description:
Requesting the State of Hawaii to provide the delegates and officers of the Native Hawaiian Convention with the financial and other support needed to complete their work.
STATUS: 3/29/2011 PASSED Hawaiian Affairs. Report adopted; referred to the committee on JUD. (next hearing not yet scheduled)
Malama pono,
Leon
March 28, 2011
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono.
Update on activities regarding the restoration of Ke Aupuni o Hawaii, the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Photo: Lynette Cruz
Leon K. Siu writes: Aloha mai Kakou, Geneva Report, March 2011…
On Monday, March 7, I headed again for Geneva, Switzerland for two weeks to attend the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to follow up on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United States conducted last November.
Back in November our Hawaii team (Poka Laenui, Kaiopua Fyfe, Josh Cooper and I), teamed up with three people from Alaska, to make significant inroads for Hawaii and Alaska independence (that’s “self-determination” in UN-speak). About a hundred UN member states and Non Governing Organizations (NGOs) commented and made recommendations pertaining to the US’ human rights policy and practices. A few mentioned the need to improve on “self-determination.” The reason for this trip was to expand on that “self-determination” foothold with the Council as well as with several UN member states.
At the March 18 session specifically for the follow-up on the US UPR, the Cuba delegation was the first to speak and they blasted the US for rejecting several important recommendations that were made last November, including the right to “self-determination!’ The very next speaker was Iraq and they too mentioned prominently America’s neglect of the issue of ‘self-determination.’ As did Venezuela and Bolivia, right after that. It is because Alaska and Hawaii lobbied member states over the past few years and made “self-determination” (independence) for Alaska and Hawaii an issue (especially at the US UPR last November) that countries are beginning to apply pressure to the US.
The other area of support is coming from the Non Governing Organizations (NGOs) I am pleased to report that, supported directly by registered NGOs from South America and Switzerland, and indirectly by a half-dozen other NGOs, Alaska and Hawaii (Ambassador Ronald Barnes and I), were able to present from the floor about 10 interventions (commentaries/appeals/ recommendations), for the UN HRC record, repeatedly pointing to the US’ illegal occupation of both Hawaii and Alaska.
Most of the HRC sessions dealt with various topics of concern, but one 4-hour session was dedicated to directly address the US UPR from the floor. Because so many wanted to comment directly to the US, the number of speakers from member states and NGOs was severely limited by the council. But due to a tremendous physical effort by Ambassador Barnes from Alaska, he was able to grab the #2 spot of the 10 spots available to NGOs. Thus, he delivered a bold and direct challenge to the US concerning their denying Alaska and Hawaii our right to self-determination, including the option for independence. It was the first time Alaska and Hawaii got to confront the US directly from the floor of the UN. (Josh Cooper got the #3 spot for his NGO). I had the #11 spot, so just missed the cut-off for the orals, but got our written statement into the record.
We also held two ‘side-event’ panel discussions with international experts about the situations of Alaska and Hawaii. The side events were very effective with the experts and other international participants agreeing that Alaska and Hawaii’s right to self determination were violated by the US when they made us domestic states of the USA. From the perspective of international law and UN mandates, we are in the right. The problem is how do we translate that to independence? This is where we need the assistance of other nations.
Constantly beating our independence drum every day at the HRC sessions had a very telling effect. From watching the reaction of the US embassy, we have moved past the annoyance stage into the nervous and worried stage. This makes other nations more curious about our story and causes them to think about how they can help us. Our presence and demands for independence has the US taking some defensive counter-measures which I will be at more liberty to discuss at another time.
Even with the UN in an uproar about the about earth-shaking events (the spontaneous revolutionary movement in North Africa and the Middle East; the Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis; and the military actions regarding Libya…), even amongst all of that, they have become interested in our situation too.
The main factor in restoring our international status is credibility. The more we succeed in looking informed, presentable and credible, the more the international community will take us seriously. This is the critical moment we are at right now. Thanks to the nearly 40 years’ work of Kawaipuna Prejean, Bumpy Kanahele, Poka Laenui, Mililani Trask, Kaiopua Fyfe, Ron Barnes (from Alaska), Sharon Venne (Human Rights lawyer from Canada), Alfred de Zayas (Cuban/American, top Human Rights lawyer at UN) and many others…, we have established credibility among international bodies such as the UN. We are now at the point where the nations are interested in us. We have their attention.
The UN, though extremely ponderous when there is no immediate, violent crisis, is the best platform to speak from to get the attention of the nations. What we have experienced at the UN in the past year is that the world is beginning to listen seriously to our story. It is the breakthrough we have been working toward. Now, our job is to continue telling our compelling story to a wider audience…and to show our nation definitely exists and is alive and kicking…
NEXT UPDATE: Will cover some non-UN international developments.
Ho’omaika’i,
I am,
Leon K. Siu
(808) 488-4669
——-
Mahalo nui loa to those who sent funds to kokua with expenses for this trip!
But, auwe! Still short. Any kokua you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
You can get funds to me in the following ways:
Check/mail – Make check or money order payable to:
Leon Siu and mail it to:
PO Box 22, Aiea, Hawaii 96701
OR …
PayPal – Deposit into PayPal account: leon@hits.net (please notify me by email)
Mahalo!
January 20, 2011
Committee of Hawaiian Nationals Ku’e Action at State Legislature, January 19, 2011
“…Vacate your positions as public servants in the current puppet government, the ‘State of Hawaii,’ and consider serving under the lawful Hawaiian Kingdom as it returns.”
Video: Pono Kealoha
Aloha kakou,
Today was another day of victory for the Committee of Hawaiian Nationals and for all who labor on to Free Hawaii from the bondage of U.S. domination.
As thousands gathered at the State Capitol for the opening of the legislative 2011 session of the “State of Hawaii,” a small group of us were there to remind them that theirs is actually a “State of Hewa.”
At 9 AM we gathered at the statue of our Queen Liliuokalani to pay our respects. Our presence with Hawaiian flags, FREE HAWAII signs and FREE HAWAII t-shirts, plus the frequent blowing of the conch, drew a lot of attention. Most of the people coming for the legislature’s opening ceremonies had to pass by us. Several media crews stopped to take pictures and gather interviews. And of course our ever-present chronicler, Pono Kealoha was there with his cameras. (By the time you get this, he will have already posted a clip on YouTube)
During the opening ceremonies we moved into the rotunda and deliberately stood against the tall glass windows of the House Chambers so that all those inside could see our flags/banners. While the governor, the LG, the 51 representatives and 25 senators were all occupied with the opening ceremonies, played Santa and took the opportunity to deliver information packets to their offices. The packets consisted of a white envelope with a colorful sticker saying, “Welcome to the Hawaiian Kingdom” (see attached jpeg); a cover letter (see attached pdf) and the 12-page booklet, “The Basis for the Restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom.” We made cheerful chit-chat with the staff in their offices and who said they’d make sure their “bosses” got to see (and hopefully read) the packets.
With that mission accomplished, we went back to the rotunda and held our signs where everybody exiting the chambers could see us. We talked to a lot of people, did a few more media interviews and generally had a very up-beat time.
We expect that the information packet will grab their attention, particularly with the morphed “50th state anniversary” into the Kingdom of Hawaii bicentennial logo, the provocative content of the cover letter and the matter-of-fact presentation of the booklet.
The first paragraph of the letter states:
The Committee of Hawaiian Nationals wish to remind you, the elected officials of the so-called “State of Hawaii,” that the serious violations, injustices and outright piracy committed over the past 118 years by the U.S. against the people of Hawaii and our nation will soon be coming to an end. As a courtesy, we suggest you make plans for the near future to vacate your positions as public servants in the current puppet government, the “State of Hawaii,” and consider serving under the lawful Hawaiian Kingdom as it returns.
Hopefully we will have provoked enough interest to begin some frank dialog with state elected officials. We’ll let you know as things develop.
The next big action (by the Hawaii Independence Action Alliance) is the Ku’e signs display at the McKinley Statue on Presidents Day, February 21.
At the MLK Day rally at Kapiolani Park, Hawaii Imiloa, a UH student club launched a project called the Hawaiian Independence Survey to develop an idea of how people felt about restoring Hawaii as an independent nation. The survey will be taken over the internet, events, malls, shopping areas and even door-to-door. Besides collecting data, we hope that by just asking the question(s) people will begin to entertain the possibility Hawaii as an independent nation…to build a national awareness; a national consciousness and from that, a national consensus. You’ll hear more of this in the very near future.
There are some other very exciting resistance actions being planned to directly challenge the jurisdiction and authority of the state and US. We will be asking for your input and participation to get these actions happening.
Malama pono,
Leon
