In Hawaii, Indigenous People are Returning to Support Their Rights

They may have their own government and possessions, but there are already those who are preparing for a legal war.

Thanks to Obama, who was born and raised in their state, the indigenous peoples of Hawaii will receive their restitution this year, just like the American Indians received. They will have their own government, with a degree of autonomy, like the American Indians, with their own funds and possessions, once belonging to the monarchy of the major islands of the Pacific. In support of this is Neil Abercombe, the Hawaiian congressman of the House of Representatives in Washington. During past years, explains Abercombe, the House twice passed a law on this matter, but the Senate rejected it. But in regards to Obama, however, this time the Senate is prepared to approve it: Obama is on the side of the Polynesian aborigines unlike his predecessor Bush. It will be a double celebration as Hawaii became an American state exactly 50 years ago.

THE CASE OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

In America, the past years of compensation and territory were awarded to many of the 562 Indian nations or tribes who were victims of colonization. Hawaii, a tourist’s paradise, has never been able to have a native government because of the enormous economic interests at stake. But in 2005, Senator Daniel Akaka, of indigenous extradition, presented the draft law on which the Senate will vote on next month. Since then, says Abercombe, this cause has found more supporters. The most powerful is Obama, who studied in Hawaii and has often returned for vacation, the last visit taking place before entering the White House with First Lady Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha. The descendants of the Polynesian aborigines are over 400,000, of which two-thirds live on the islands.

LIMITED POWERS

Their government will have limited powers and will need to be treated with the state authorities and with Washington. But Akaka does not doubt that real Hawaiians will receive the same treatment as the American Indians, that they will have partial autonomy, be compensated and be in possession of their land. Valuable land, thanks to the continuing boom in construction and tourism. Like what happened with the American Indians who left for their tribes, many indigenous peoples or “natives” today on the American continent are returning to the island where their culture has always been protected. Hawaii, discovered in the eighteenth century by Captain Cook, the great English navigator, was annexed to the United States over a century ago with the dethroning of their last regime, and then qualified as territories, like Oklahoma and other future American states. The big economic interests are preparing for a legal war against the indigenous peoples, on money and possessions that they are trying to get their hands on. They argue that given the population, mostly white, they cannot be discriminated against on the basis of race.