Return to the Hawaiian Independence Home Page or the Background Index
OVERVIEW
INDEPENDENT & SOVEREIGN NATION-STATE OF
HAWAI`I
GEOGRAPHY
Location
The Hawaiian Archipelago comprises 132 islands, reefs and shoals, stretching 1,523 miles (2,451 kilometers) southeast to northwest across the Tropic of Cancer between 154 40' to 178 25' W longitude and 18 54' to 28 15' N latitude, consisting approximately of a total land area of 6,425 square miles (16,642 square kilometers), including 1 percent of less than six square miles of land area made up of islands off the shores of the main islands and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from Kure Atoll in the North to Nihoa in the South, also Palmyra, Midway and Wake Islands. The Hawaiian Islands form an Archipelago, which extends over a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, possessing a 12 mile Territorial Sea, and the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone. [1]
Area
The total land area of 8 of the inhabited major Islands is 4,112,388 acres with almost two thirds of the area located on the Island of Hawai'i (2,573,400 acres on Hawai'i; 465,800 acres on Maui; 386,188 acres on O'ahu; 353,900 acres on Kaua'i; 165,800 acres on Moloka'i; 90,500 acres on Lana'i; 45,700 acres on Ni'ihau; 28,800 acres on Kaho'olawe; and 2,300 acres on other islands). [2]
Topography
The Hawaiian Archipelago is of volcanic origin, with the oldest islands in the chain stretching out to the northwest, and the youngest island, Hawai`i, still volcanically active in the southeast (Kilauea Volcano is the most active in the world). Loihi Seamount, growing off the southeast coast of Hawai'i Island, is predicted to emerge as the archipelago's newest island more than a millenium in the future. The effects of long term erosion are progressively evident with age: Hawai`i Island contains massive lava fields which are just being pioneered by plant species, while much older Kaua`i houses deep and broad canyons and strong rivers. Mountainous regions reach the highest on the younger islands, with Mauna Kea on Hawai`i Island reaching 13,796 feet above sea level. When measured from the ocean floor, this peak is the highest in the world. [1]
Climate
The outstanding features of Hawai`i's climate include mild and equible temperatures the year round, moderate humidities, persistence of northeasterly trade winds, remarkable differences in rainfall within short distances, and infrequency of severe storms.
In most of Hawai`i there are only two seasons: "summer" between about May and October, when the sun is more nearly overhead, the weather warmer and drier, and the trade winds most persistent; and "winter," between about October and April, when the sun is in the south, the weather cooler, and the trade winds more often interrupted by other winds and by intervals of widespread cloud and rain.
With variations in altitude, wind and moisture, all of the earth's major climatic zones and seasons exist on the single island of Hawai`i. Rainfall varies greatly depending on location, with almost no rainfall in certain leeward areas (southwest), and more in the windward areas (northeast) increasing to over 400 inches per year in certain mountain regions on Kaua`i and Maui. [1]
PEOPLE
Summary
The entire present population of Hawai'i is approximately 1.2 million. The U.S. and local censuses have recorded a total of 1,108,229 population in the 1990 reports. 64.5% of the population is on the Island of O`ahu (including the city of Honolulu), 13.4% on Hawai`i, 12.8% on Maui, and 6.3% on Kaua`i. We also have residents on Ni`ihau, Moloka`i and Lana`i. [2] The Island of Kaho`olawe is inhabited part time for restoration, recovery and future rehabitation.
The population of Hawai`i comprises one of the most diverse ethnic mixtures in the world, with many races of people having gathered and lived relatively harmoniously for over a century. Along with their Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) hosts, Caucasian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Pacific Island peoples are all well-represented. Unfortunately, the Kanaka Maoli have benefitted the least and suffered the most of all populations in Hawai`i from the island's forced incorporation with the United States and the current system of economics, politics, and land administration. Kanaka Maoli suffer the most negative statistics across the board in indicators of economic and social wellbeing, including mortality rate, suicide rate, disease, unemployment, poverty, undereducation, illiteracy, houselessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, etc. [3] Addressing these realities and providing for the betterment of the lives of the original people of Hawai`i is an immediate essential priority for the Nation of Hawai`i, and will result in the betterment of the society as a whole.
Cultural Heritage
Within Hawai`i's broad ethnic population there exists a strong awareness and community participation in the perpetuation of cultural heritage in all aspects of life. The Kanaka Maoli, as the host people, have developed governing systems of culture and traditions guiding the direction of native cultural affairs in Hawai`i, and providing the basic fabric of life into which all other cultures are woven. Other ethnic groups in Hawai'i are generally comfortable with the local host culture and excel in the understanding of it through education, preservation, entertainment, lifestyles and in the common dealings of everyday life of society. Hawaiian cultural values and traditions embodied in such words as aloha (love), `ohana (family), and aloha `aina (love of the land) are understood and respected widely throughout the society. Conversely, there is a deep appreciation among the Kanaka Maoli for other ethnic traditions and cultures. Racial intermarraige is common and easily accepted, and mutual tolerance and respect among different cultures is exceptionally high. Modern Hawai`i, with its roots in the Kanaka Maoli culture, has branched out to include the best of the many different traditions which have blessed these shores.
Religion
The host religion of Hawai`i is a highly organized belief system founded in Natural Law. The arrival of Europeans brought a strong impact of missionary Christendom, and later, along with the immigrant plantation workers, came many other religions of Eastern belief systems. Today there is a variety of religious and spiritual expression, with no major conflicts among the diverse beliefs and practices. There is however a disenfranchised system of belief found in the Kanaka Maoli peoples, where Customary practice and Christian practice clash on certain cultural and traditional levels. It is intended that we shall mend these differences with the restoration of the peoples concerned in the Nation of Hawai`i.
Language
`Olelo Hawai`i, the Hawaiian language, is the first official language of the Nation of Hawai`i, and English and Pidgin English are also official languages. The use of 'olelo Hawai`i is increasing as more classes and immersion programs are developed, and this process will be accelerated under the Nation of Hawai`i. English is the most widely spoken language, and is used in most formal and business settings. Pidgin English, a distinct mixture of languages that is spoken to some degree by much of the local inhabitants, is prefered by many for conversing informally. A wide variety of other languages are also spoken in the various ethnic communities, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Spanish, Portugese, Vietnamese, Tonga, Samoan, etc.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1778, the Native Hawaiian people lived in a highly organized, self-sufficient, subsistent social system based on communal land tenure with a sophisticated language, culture, and religion. A unified monarchical government of the Hawaiian Islands was established in 1810 under Kamehameha I, the first unifying King of Hawaii in several centuries. From 1826 until 1893, the Kingdom of Hawaii was recognized as a sovereign and independent nation among the world community of nations, with full diplomatic protocol. [4] The Kingdom of Hawaii entered into treaties, conventions, and agreements with the following countries: Belgium (1862), Bremen (1854), Denmark (1846), France (1839, 1846, and 1858), German Empire (1879-80), Great Britain (1836 and 1846), Hamburg (1848), Hong Kong (1884), Italy (1863), Japan (1871 and 1886), Netherlands (1862), New South Wales (1874), Portugal (1882), Russia (1869), Samoa (1887), Spain (1863), Swiss Confederation (1864), Sweden and Norway (1855), Tahiti (1853), United States of America (1826, 1842, 1849, 1875, and 1887). Hawaii was also party to the Universal Postal Union (1886). [Archival copies available]
In 1893 the Hawaiian government was illegally overthrown in a conspiracy of fake revolution with participation of citizens, agents, and the military force of the United States. In 1898 the United States purported to annex Hawaii without a treaty, unilaterally and unlawfully abrogating all of Hawai`i's existing treaties through a mere domestic joint resolution, and initiating the prolonged belligerent occupation of the Hawaiian islands. In 1900 the Territory of Hawaii was falsely established with the imposed Organic Act. In 1946 Hawaii was placed under the United Nations Charter, Article 73, as a non-self-governing territory under the administering authority of the United States. In 1959 the United States falsely reported to the United Nationsthat Hawaii had become the 50th state, after an invalid special vote or so-called plebiscite. In 1993, the United States apologized for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, and recognized the unrelinquished inherent sovereignty and right of self-determination of the Native Hawaiian people. [4]
HAWAI'I'S INDEPENDENT FUTURE
Restoring Hawai'i's independence is clearly legal, justified, and possible. It is obvious that the existing political and economic systems of the State of Hawaii, aside from being illegal, are not responsible to the just and timely advancement of peoples' rights and livelihoods, nor the sustainability of our environment. In fact, the existing government by and large represents the interests of entities which destroy our future without regard for the eventual costs to our children. Discontent with the government is at an all time high. If we keep going in the same direction, we'll certainly end up where we're headed, which would be most unfortunate. This is not a specific critique of individuals in office; it is a call to awaken responsible and ethical participation in the inevitable transition of governing authority in Hawai`i.
In Hawai`i and globally, our human `ohana (family) is an a crisis of living, unable to meet the basic needs of the people in a sustainable manner. We the people of Hawai`i are in a process of non-violent positive change designed to prevent further economic and environmental crisis in our region and in our world. Working together we can co-evolve a relatively corruption-free form of self-government that implements natural laws in a manner consistent with the realization of equality and liberty for all people in Hawai`i.
Independence means more than just political independence. Currently we live in a highly dependent society, relying on outside sources, primarily the United States, to meet most of our basic needs. We import over three quarters of our food, and even more of our energy, despite the fact that we inhabit the most isolated land mass in the world. Therefore Hawai`i is subject to the control of outside forces, lacking self-reliance and suffering great vulnerability. Hawai`i must become more independent in many ways to ensure the future stability and security of our land and people.
Once one shifts perspectives from U.S. domestic law to international law, the range of rights and of options for self-determination expand dynamically. The opportunity exists to evolve quickly in a positive direction with independent political status. Life won't change drastically overnight, but can change steadily for the better.
Economically, Hawai`i will capitalize on the advantages of our unique position in the center of the Pacific Rim, controlling our 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone, becoming a center for international trade, ethical investment banking and related secure financial services, at the same time pursuing the diversification of our local economy with profitable and innovative community based projects, producing meaningful employment and furthering local and national self-sufficiency.
If there is any place in the world capable of evolving politically, economically, socially, and culturally in a peaceful transition toward a truly equitable and sustainable future, it is Hawai`i. In the process, we will become an example and evolving model of self-determination and goodwill for the common benefit of all our Earth's peoples.
As we remember and integrate the wisdom of our ancestors, we begin to reflect on the wise and just way to honor the past, perfect the present, and prepare for a peaceful future. With Aloha, we can change the world.
Aloha Ke Akua.
FOOTNOTES
1. Atlas of Hawaii, Second Edition, Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1983.
2. State of Hawaii Data Book: A Statistical Abstract, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, 1993-1994.
3. Native Hawaiian Data Book, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1994.
4. Public Law 103-150, 103d Congress Joint Resolution 19, Nov. 23, 1993.
5. Congressional Record -- Senate, Wednesday, October 27, 1993, 103rd Cong. 1st Sess., 139 Cong Rec S 14477.
6. "The Restoration of the Independent Nation-State of Hawaii Under International Law,"; St. Thomas Law Review, Volume 7, Summer 1995.
Return to the Hawaiian Independence Home Page or the Background Index