Native Hawaiians Forming a Nation




Constitution adopted for Native Hawaiian nation

Constitution adopted for Native Hawaiian nation

Native Hawaiians are in the process of organizing a Native Hawaiian nation. The new nation would seek recognition by the U.S. in a government-to-government status, similar to that of many Native American (Indian) tribes.

“We affirm the national Sovereignty of the Nation. We reserve all rights for Sovereignty and self-determination, including the pursuit of independence.” So reads part of the preamble to the constitution adopted in February, 2016, at a Constitution Convention of Native Hawaiians. The Convention was organized by Nai Aupuni, a non-profit organization that states on its website its dedication to “establishing a path for Hawaiian self-determination”. The proposed constitution was approved by a vote of 88 to 30 with one abstention and now goes out for a ratification vote.

Under the proposed constitution, citizens of the Hawaiian nation would be any descendants of the indigenous people who lived in Hawaii before 1778 (when contact was first made by Europeans). Citizenship in the Hawaiian nation would not affect one’s citizenship in the U.S. The Hawaiian government would consist of 1) a president and vice president who would be advised by an island council; b) a 43 member legislature representing the islands and native Hawaiians; 3) a judicial authority.

Not all Hawaiians are in agreement with the formation of a native Hawaiian Nation. Critics say forming a Native Hawaiian nation does not correct the wrongs of the overthrow of the Native Hawaiian government by a group of American businessmen in 1893. Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a public policy think-tank whose president, Kelii Akina says, “The attempt to establish a single race-based nation violates the Aloha spirit of Hawaiians.” Akina thinks the money used in the process of forming a nation should be used for the advancement of native Hawaiians through education, housing, commerce, and health care.

The U.S. government initially recognized Hawaii as an independent nation, extending full diplomatic recognition to the nation and entering into several treaties with the Hawaiian monarch before the government was overthrown. Five years later, in 1898, the U.S. annexed Hawaii. In 1959, Hawaii attained U.S. statehood.

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