Category: Events & Action

Posted on

Film and panel about Hawaiian national hero Joseph Nawahi

Biography Hawai’i: Joseph Nawahi

Time: October 7, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm

Location: Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, UH Manoa

Event Description:

On October 7th from 6-9 at Kamakakuokalani (Center for Hawaiian studies) there will be a film showing of the recently made documentary on Joseph Nawahi, followed by panel discussion w/ Filmaker Victoria Knuebuhl, Jon Osorio, Noenoe Silva.

First they will show the film in ‘Olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language) then in ‘Olelo Haole (English).

Joseph Nawahi was a true Hawaiian patriot and leader. Part of Hui Aloha ‘Aina Hawaiian Patriotic League who traveled across Ko Hawai’i Pae ‘Aina and collected the anti american annexation petitions known as the Ku’e petitions which stopped U.S. annexation until the spanish-am war.

Here’s a description from Leslie Wilcox, CEO of Hawaii Public Broadcasting:

Ever heard of Joseph Nawahi? Traditionally, history has been written by the victors–and that explains why most people in Hawaii have never heard of this Hawaiian Renaissance man. He was on the losing end of a forced change in government, fighting the 1893 overthrow of his Queen, Lili’uokalani, and the end of Hawaii’s monarchy. Deemed “treasonous,” he died in harsh prison conditions in 1896.

Biography

Nawahi is worth knowing about today. The Puna native was an indefatigable learner–learning profession after profession in following his passions.  He was a teacher, surveyor, newspaper editor, self-taught lawyer, legislator, cabinet minister, and painter (one of his landscapes was professionally appraised recently at $450,000).

His remarkable story will be told  on Thursday (June 25, 2009) at 8:30 pm when PBS Hawaii partners with the University of Hawaii Center for Biographical Research to present a documentary: “Biography Hawai’i: Joseph Nawahi.”

We’re pleased to present the program twice in a row–first, in the English language, with Hawaiian subtitles; the second time with a Hawaiian narrative, and English-language captions.

The other evening, independent producers Craig Howes and Joy Chong-Stannard held a screening of the film in our studio at PBS Hawaii. (A third producer, writer Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, was out of town.) It was great to see the great-great-grandson of Nawahi and other descendants gather and take pride that a new generation would learn of Nawahi’s achievements.

Nawahi was an influential figure in the days of  the struggle over Hawaiian sovereignty. His integrity, skills and connections made him a formidable adversary.

UH scholars Larry Lindsey Kimura, M. Puakea Nogelmeier, Jonathan Osorio, and Noenoe Silva took part in this documentary. Ka’upena Wong narrated in English; Kala’i Ontai narrated in Hawaiian. There are scenes in which Kalena Silva plays Joseph Nawahi.

And kudos to PBS Hawaii’s Daryl Harada, who did an exceptional job of editing the hour-long  documentary, working with only two and a half  photographs of Nawahi.

Posted on

Hoomanao (Remember): The Massie Case and Injustice, Then and Now

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i,

University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa Office of Multicultural Student Services present


Hoomanao (Remember)

The Massie Case and Injustice, Then and Now

UH Manoa Architecture Auditorium

Wednesday, October 21, 6 pm to 8 pm

A nationwide sensation in 1931 – 32, the notorious Massie Case served as a touchstone for race, class, and injustice in Hawai‘i for decades. The case began with an accusation of rape by European American naval wife Thalia Massie against five local young men, and ended with the vigilante killers of one of the men, Joseph Kahahawai, having their prison sentences commuted to one hour spent over drinks with the governor.

A distinguished panel will discuss the Massie Case and its relevance today, outlining the facts of the case, discussing the ways it affected the subsequent history of Hawai‘i and its various communities, and its contemporary echoes in such issues as racial differences in prison sentencing:

  • RaeDeen Keahiolalo-Karasuda, Ph.D., Research Analyst, Kamehameha Schools
  • John Rosa, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa
  • Carrie Ann Shirota, J.D., Soros Justice Fellow ’09
  • David Stannard, Ph.D., Professor, American Studies, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, author of “Honor Killing: How the Infamous “Massie Affair” Transformed Hawai‘i”

Co-Sponsors:

African American Lawyers Association of Hawai‘i; American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i; American Friends Service Committee, Community Alliance on Prisons; Hawai‘i Filipino Lawyers Association; Hawai‘i People’s Fund; Hawai‘i Women Lawyers; Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, William S. Richardson School of Law; Imanaka Kudo & Fujimoto; National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Hawai‘i Chapter; Native Hawaiian Bar Association; Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Honolulu-Hawaii Branch; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; UH Mānoa Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge; UH Mānoa Kamakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies

For further information on this event, please contact Brian Niiya, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, at 945-7633, ext. 32.

Posted on

SURGE THE RESISTANCE – NOT THE WAR!

Call to action from World Can’t Wait

Microsoft Word – October 17 color poster

SURGE THE RESISTANCE – NOT THE WAR!

JOIN THE PROTEST MARCH

on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

3pm

END U.S. WARS, OCCUPATIONS, AND TORTURE FOR EMPIRE!

Gather near the Atkinson entrance to Ala Moana Park for a permitted street march. Bring signs and noisemakers! There will be a trolley for those unabl to walk the route circling Ala Moana Shopping Center.

This is a national day of protest, and there will be regional protests in dozens of cities as we enter the 9th year of war and occupation in Afghanistan!

Stand with humanity to demand a better world!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Build for this march! Help bring hundreds of people to the streets. Break the silence and re-envigorate the anti-war movement.
* Leaflet and Poster: World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i has leaflets and posters. If you would like some sent to you let us know how many leaflets you can distribute or how many posters you want. We’ll send them to you. Just send an address and a phone number and let us know how many. You can also pick up a stack at Revolution Books.

* Put the announcement (or leaflet) up on your FaceBook or MySpace. If you would like an electronic version of the leaflet let us know. Send out an announcement on your e-list.

* Announce the protest in your classroom, organization and/or church. Phone your friends and relatives.

* Build your own contingent around a particular issue – and bring a banner representing your group and/or message.

THE WORLD CAN’T WAIT!

Posted on

Protest of Stryker and other live-fire training at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)

Press Release Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

Protest of Stryker and other live-fire training at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 Mauna Kea State Park

There will be a peaceful protest l0AM Saturday Oct. l0th at Mauna Kea State park –l mile east of the Pohakuloa main gate on Saddle Road. (Car pools will leave 9AM from the Hilo Bayfront parking lot at Pauahi and Kamehameha Ave.) The protest will begin at the park and then move to PTA’s main gate. The protest is over Stryker tank and other ongoing live-fire training at the base known to be contaminated with Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation from past weapons training. Live-fire and other activities that create dust, risk spreading the radiation off base into civilian areas. The Hawaii County Council passed a resolution 8-1 in July 2008 calling for a halt to all live-fire at PTA until there is a complete assessment of the radiation contamination and clean up of the DU present. The military continues to ignore the Council’s call to action.

Reports are that l00 Stryker l9 ton eight-wheeled tanks (perhaps more) are currently doing training at PTA. These tanks have recently returned from Iraq where their l05 mm canons and 50 cal machine guns have fired DU munitions.

The protest is sponsored by Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action.

Jim Albertini of Malu ‘Aina said: It’s time to Stop Strykers! Stop all live-fire on Pohakuloa, and live-fire in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. The military needs to clean up its mess and end its occupations, not make more of a mess.”

-pau-

STRYKER PROTEST

Stop Live-fire on Pohakuloa,
Iraq, Afghanistan, & Pakistan, etc.

Time: 10AM

Date: Saturday, Oct. l0th

Meeting place: Mauna Kea State Park
One mile east of the new main gate of the Pohakuloa Training Area on Saddle Rd. in the center of the island. Car pools will leave 9AM from the Hilo Bayfront parking lot at Pauahi and Kamehameha Ave.

A Stryker is an eight-wheeled, l9-ton modern tank (urban assault vehicle). It’s not a defensive weapon. It is a killing machine. A full Stryker Brigade is based on Oahu at Schofield Barracks. Earlier this year the Brigade, including more than 300 Stryker tanks, returned from Iraq. The Brigade is now training for another deployment to Iraq or possibly Afghanistan, as President Obama escalates the war there.

The Stryker tanks fire depleted uranium (DU) ammunition. They have fired it in Iraq and have contributed to the widespread DU contamination there which is causing widespread health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and deaths. Whether these tanks have brought DU contamination back to Hawaii is unknown. No independent testing has been done.

Reports are that a hundred Strykers (perhaps more) have been brought via Kawaihae Harbor from Ohau and are now doing training at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA), including live-fire. While the Army says no DU weapons are presently used in training at PTA, the area is already officially acknowledged to be contaminated with DU from earlier weapons training. Live-fire, and other activities that create dust such as tank maneuver training, risk spreading radiation contamination — toxic deadly poison, off-base into civilian areas, carried by the strong winds that travel through the Saddle Area toward the Hilo and Kona sides of our Island.
Stand Up and Speak Out!

Let a cry go out by all of us who are charged to be responsible stewards of this ‘aina: Stop Strykers! Stop all live-fire on Pohakuloa, and live-fire in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. But let us do more. Let us work to end the illegal U.S. occupation of Hawai’i as well as illegal occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. The people and the land are spiritually interconnected as one. So too are the issues of Justice & Peace. Join our non-violent protest, where hearts come together to help remove the obstacles to peace. Mahalo.

For more information please contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
—
Jim Albertini
Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O.Box AB
Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760
phone: 808-966-7622
email: JA@interpac.net
Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Posted on

Waikane Valley Restoration Advisory Board Meeting

Waikane valley was used by the military for live fire training during WWII until the 1970s.   According to the lease, the military was supposed to clean up the unexploded ordnance and return the land in its original condition when they left.  Instead, the Marine Corps condemned the land from the Kamaka Family.  After many years of resistance from Raymond Kamaka and protest in 2003 when the Marine Corps proposed to conduct jungle warfare training in Waikane, the Marine Corps scrapped its plans and began the closure and clean up of Waikane.  The Restoration Advisory Board is part of the process of planning, implementing and evaluating the clean up.   The next Waikane Valley Restoration Advisory Board Meeting will be on September 23.   The meetings are open to the public.  We need to keep the pressure on for a thorough clean up of the valley and the return of the land to the community to perpetuate traditional Hawaiian practices.  See the agenda below.

>><<

AGENDA

Waikane Valley Restoration Advisory Board Meeting
Waiahole Elementary School
September 23, 2009
7:00pm to 9:00pm
I. Welcome and Introductions (10 min)
Major David Hudock
Marine Corps RAB Co-Chair / Environmental Department Director
Marine Corps Base Hawaii

David Henkin
Waikane RAB Community Co-Chair
II. April 2009 Meeting Action Items (10 min)
• Enter April 2009 meeting minutes into record
III. Waikane Valley Site Inspection Report and Remedial Investigation (RI) (30 min)
Lance Higa
Munitions Response Program
NAVFAC Pacific

IV. Available RI Detection Technology and Limitations (25 min)
Bob Nore
Program Manager
USA Environmental
V. Waikane Valley RI and Cultural Resources (25 min)
June Cleghorn
Senior Cultural Resources Manager
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
VI. Open Discussion – Adjourn at 9:00
• Next RAB meeting

Posted on

Women’s Vigil for Peace and Solidarity

In Solidarity with the 7th International Network of Women against Militarism (INWAM) Meeting: Guahan

Hafa Adai, my name is Angela T. Hoppe-Cruz. I am a Chamoru woman born and raised on the island of Guahan, now residing in Makaha. The INWAM formed in the mid 1990’s in response to the rape of a young Okinawan woman by a U.S. Marine. In 2004 women from Hawaii represented DMZ Hawaii Aloha Aina at th 5th INWAM Meeting held in the Phillipies. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is part of the alliance that makes up DMZ. Hawaii’s participation continued, followed by the 2007 delegation in San Francisco, and this year Guahan. This year Hawaii is represented at the Guahan conference by Auntie Terri and Melanie Medalle. The meeting location is strategically selected based on the current militarism efforts against the people. In 2006 the U.S. military announced the transfer of U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa to Guahan. The influx will result in 50,000 more people and immense development of the land for military use.

The 7th INWAM Meeting kicked off early this week, as I followed in spirit and prayer our sisters and brothers, there is an ache to be part of such a historic event, especially at this moment in time. Many sisters from the Micronesian region, here on Oahu have expressed that same ache and desire. I was moved and inspired by them to organize a gathering for our sisters living on Oahu, who cannot be in attendance at the INMW. On the final day of the conference there will be a community vigil to “honor the past and heal for the future “Fuetsan I Lina’la’: Famalao’an I Tano’ Strength of Life: Women of the Land”. Detailed information regarding the conference is at this site: http://genuinesecurity.blogspot.com/.

In solidarity with the INWM Guahan conference, we ask that you join us for a community vigil to be held on Oahu, to honor the past and heal for the future. This is a call for solidarity and sisterhood and that our connection brings hopeful collectivity. Militarism and empire building has wrought upon indigenous peoples’ across the globe a deep trauma and loss. The INWM is a collective of women standing up against the continued injustices and desecration of our lands, and communities. This is the thrust of the Gathering, women collectively overcoming militarism and putting forth a new vision of security. We ask for your full participation, this is not a performance. It is a space for us to gather, to re-member. Please call with questions Angela at 366-5777 or e-mail atacruz@gmail.com.

When: Sunday, September 20th at 4:00p.m.

Where: Makua Beach, Ku la`i la`i

  • Hi`uwai (water cleansing ceremony). Procession to Papa Wai Ola cared for by Auntie Leandra.
  • Oli by Auntie Leandra
  • Song from our Sisters’ (open to all)
    • Chamoru, Chuukese, Palauan
  • Resilience and Healing across Oceania
    • Sharing our stories of struggle and hope
  • Potluck and drinks

**Please bring a potluck dish and drink to share. Also, please bring kukui nuts they will be used to represent the hurt you wish to be transformed.

The following is a timeline of military rule and impact in the Micronesian Islands and Hawaii. There are not words to describe the history of oppression and hurt that connects us. Nor are there words to describe our inherent power to heal and move beyond. We take with us not spears, but the power of our voice, love and ancestors collectively to challenge and resist the continued rape of our tano/aina.

The Transgressions: A timeline of militarism in our islands. (this is not a comprehensive list)

  • 1893: The Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown and placed under U.S. rule, annexed as a territory.
  • 1898: The islands of Micronesia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Isalnds and the Republic of Palau were divvied up as spoils of war after the Spanish American war.
  • Guam was ceded to the United States of America while the rest of the islands were awarded to Germany.
  • 1919: The Japanese through the Treaty of Versailles took control of the islands, except for Guam, which continued to be ruled by the U.S.A.
  • 1920: Guam is forced to follow: English Only Law.
  • 1941: Guam was under U.S. rule, until the Japanese Occupation, which lasted until 1944
  • 1944: Guam was ‘liberated’ from Japanese Occupation by the United States of America.
  • 1944: Following WWII the FSM, RMI, ROP and CNMI became Trust Territories of the Pacific, through the UN administered by the USA.
  • 1950: Through the Organic Act of 1950, Guam became a United States Territory.
  • 1954: In the name of Humanity, Marshall Islands are used as testing site of BRAVO an HBOMB, the equivalent of 10000 Hiroshima bombs.
  • 1959: Hawai`i nei annexed into statehood.
  • 1979: Four of the trust territory islands ratified the constitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Ponepei, Kosrae, Yap). RMI, ROP and CNMI chose not to participate.
  • 1986: Compact of Free Association took effect, for the FSM and RMI entities.
  • 1993: President Clinton issued an apology to the Kanaka Maoli for the overthrow of their Kingdom.
  • 1996: Compact of Free Association took effect. The conflict which this contract brought to the people of Palau was devastating. Their first President was assassinated and the 2nd committed suicide as a result of the pressure to get the people to agree to this. From the perspective of an elder, the third President gave in.
  • 1996: Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act, distinguishes Micronesians as aliens and ineligible for Medquest, based on “alienage” Sect 412, 431.
  • 2006: US announced transfer of Okinawan base to Guam, influx of 50,000 people and development as result. No community consultation.
  • 2009: Linda Lingle attempts to alter healthcare coverage to migrants from Micronesia, possibly endangering lives of individuals in need of chemo and dialysis.

As I write this my heart is heavy…the connections that have severed us are many and have been brutal. I ask you to join us; sisters in solidarity, to relieve ourselves of the cultural historical trauma…if not relieve, to ask for the strength to continue fighting for our people, our land. What we shed will flow out into the ocean and become one with the current.

Posted on

Israeli Teenagers Say NO to the Israeli Occupation

Announcement from World Can’t Wait Hawai’i:

Israeli Teenagers Say NO to the Israeli Occupation

Monday, September 21, 2009

UH-Manoa Architecture Auditorium

7pm

The “Why We Refuse” Tour is a national tour of two Israeli women who have come to the United States to speak about their experiences as conscientious objectors in the Israeli army.

Maya Wind and Netta Mishly are part of an Israeli group called Shministim, Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories.

Their national tour is being coordinated by the national offices of Jewish Voice for Peace and Code Pink Women for Peace. Their appearance in Hawai`i is being organized by a coalition including Friends of Sabeel-Hawai`i, World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Hawai`i.

Bringing these two women to Hawai`i is incredibly expensive (~$1,300 for airfare, plus the cost of publicity, venue and incidentals). If you’re able to donate toward this event send a check to World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i at P. O. Box 11225, Honolulu, HI 96828 and put “Israeli teens” on the memo line.

Spread the word! This is being done on very short notice. Some of you remember that Ann Wright suggested we bring these teens out when she spoke at Revolution Books a couple of weeks ago. Now it’s going to happen but we still need to pay for it and get an audience for these courageous women. Tell your friends, family, acquaintances. Send this e-mail to others. Announce it at church services and in classrooms. If you want a copy of the leaflet/poster send by e-mail, send us your request.

Posted on

International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space – October 3-10, 2009

ksfpw09_ad

International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space – October 3-10, 2009

Modern warfare, such as the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan and attacks on Pakistan, uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and GPS-guided bombs. Directed by space satellites, and remotely controlled far from the battlefield, these weapons are responsible for massive civilian casualties.

In the 2003 “shock and awe” attack on Iraq, 70% of the weapons used by the Pentagon were directed to their targets by space technology. Our children are being trained through video games today to be the remote killers of tomorrow. Death at a distance is still blood on our hands.

We in the Global Network say it’s time to open our eyes and STOP the military’s use of space for war on Earth. It is time to preserve space for peace and to end war.

Posted on

Military Recruiter “Opt Out” Requests due Sept. 15

News Release
Department of Education State of Hawaii

Contact: Sandra Goya
Telephone: 808-586-3232

Date: August 25, 2009

Military Recruiter “Opt Out” Requests due Sept. 15

The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires the DOE to provide names, addresses, and telephone numbers (including unlisted numbers) of secondary students to military recruiters when requested. Secondary school students are broadly defined as students enrolled in middle, intermediate, and high schools.

A student in a secondary school can, on his/her own, submit a signed, written request for non-disclosure of his/her information. Or the parent/guardian of a secondary student or an eligible student (18 years or older) can submit an “OPT OUT” request.

Although not legally required, the DOE has developed an “OPT OUT” form for military recruiting to facilitate response from students or their parents. The form can be downloaded from the DOE website at http://doe.k12.hi.us.

If an “OPT OUT” for military recruiters was filed with the school during the 2007-2008 and/or 2008-2009 school year, the most recent request will be honored until the student leaves the Hawaii DOE public school system or until the submitter rescinds the “OPT OUT” request.

“OPT OUT” requests will be accepted at anytime during the school year. However, the DOE is required to turn over a student list to the Inter-Service Recruitment Council (IRC) in mid-October. If a request comes in after student lists have been submitted to the IRC, the DOE Information Resource Management (IRM) Branch will inform the IRC to have recruiters remove the student’s information from the list.

Students or their parents should submit “OPT OUT” requests to school offices no later than September 15. Schools will distribute annual notices by the end of August 2009. For questions, contact the DOE IRM Branch (808) 692-7290, option #5.

-DOE-

Posted on

September 11, Town Hall Meeting

Town Hall Meeting

Friday, September 11
Center for Hawaiian Studies
6-7pm: tables & social hour; 7-9 Town Hall Meeting

Featured guest speaker: Larry Everest, author of “Oil, Power & Empire”; independent journalist on Middle East affairs; frequent appearances on radio and TV (including Democracy Now); contributor to Revolution Newspaper for 30 years.

Organized by World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i

Proudly powered by WordPress