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The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement:
Roles of and Impacts on Non-Hawaiians

By Anthony Castanha, August 1996

CHAPTER 5

NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION

DESCRIPTION OF MODEL

The nation-within-a-nation model of Hawaiian self-government resembles the status of many Native American Indian and Alaskan nations today. Nation-within-a-nation status is a form of integration within the United States. There are over 400 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan groups within the U.S. federal system.1 The sovereignty of Native groups under federal Indian law is assumed to be inherent, limited only by the authority of the U.S. Congress. F. Cohen writes:
Perhaps the most basic principle of Indian law, supported by a host of decisions . . . is the principle that those powers which are lawfully vested in an Indian tribe are not, in general, delegated powers granted by express acts of Congress but rather inherent powers of a limited sovereignty which has never been extinguished. Each Indian tribe begins its relationship with the Federal Government as a sovereign power, recognized as such in treaty and legislation. The powers of sovereignty have been limited from time to time by special treaties and laws. . . . These statues of Congress, then, must be examined to determine the limitations of tribal sovereignty rather than to determine its sources or its positive content. What is not expressly limited remains within the domain of tribal sovereignty.2
The first judicial case (Worcester v. Georgia) involving Native Indian rights to self-governance occurred in 1832. U.S. Chief Justice Marshall articulated that the imposition of state law by the state of Georgia within the territory of the Cherokee nation violated the Cherokee right to self-governance. He acknowledged that "Indian nations [are] distinct political communities, having territorial boundaries, within which their authority is exclusive. . . ."3 This case established that sovereign rights of Native Indian nations were limited only by the federal government. The basis for federal regulation concerned Congress' authority and power to control commerce and make treaties with Indian nations. The United States assumed a protectorate over these nations, which did not terminate Indian sovereignty, but rather preserved it from state interference.4

In the case of Hawai'i, the U.S. Congress would have to enact a "special law" creating a nation-within-a-nation, with jurisdiction of the nation coming under the agreement of the federal, state and county governments.5 Nation-within-a-nation status would end state of Hawai'i control over Hawaiian affairs, giving the Hawaiian nation a direct relationship with the U.S. federal government.6 The new nation would be subject to federal and Hawaiian laws:

The Hawaiian nation would be independent from the state of Hawai'i, in much the same way people in California are exempt from laws passed in Massachusetts. The new nation-within-a-nation would have responsibility over such issues as local taxes, inheritance, domestic laws and police powers.

Management and use of lands, natural resources and other identified assets of the new Hawaiian nation would be subject only to federal and Hawaiian laws.7

It is also important to note that a nation-within-a-nation could exist under the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal government, or under the jurisdiction of an independent Hawaiian nation.8

The main proponent of the nation-within-a-nation model of self-government is Ka Lahui Hawai'i. Leader Mililani Trask sees, "Jurisdiction over a recognized land base; federal money for Hawaiian programs; tax exemptions on native land placed in trust with the federal government" as important benefits which could lead to self-sufficiency.9 Ka Lahui Hawai'i formed in 1987 out of a watchdog association that lobbied for the Federal-State Task Force on the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which documented abuses of Hawaiian trust lands.10 In 1987, Ka Lahui called its first constitutional convention with 250 delegates meeting from around the islands. They have since held constitutional conventions in 1989 and 1992. Ka Lahui's constitution is democratic in structure and identifies four branches of government:

1) the Legislative Branch, which has the authority to make laws; 2) the Executive Branch, which has the responsibility to implement the laws; 3) the Judicial Branch, which interprets the law; and 4) the Ali'i Nui Branch, which is responsible for matters relating to culture and protocol.11
Ka Lahui Hawai'i is committed to peace, disarmament and non-violence:
The practice of peace requires that we resolve conflict in a non-violent manner. This commitment to non-violence relates not only to our undertakings in the political arena, but involves the seeking of non-violent solutions to family, personal, and community problems. Violence in all forms including spouse and child abuse, elderly abuse and neglect is rejected.12
Ka Lahui hopes to secure under its National Land Trust approximately two million acres of land, half the acreage in Hawai'i. These lands comprise: 1) Hawaiian Homes Lands; 2) State Ceded Lands; 3) Federally held lands; and 4) Private Land Trusts.13 Ka Lahui's National Land Trust is a part of their multi-faceted Ho'okupu a Ka Lahui Hawai'i (the Ka Lahui Master Plan for Hawaiian sovereignty). The purpose of the Master Plan is
to set forth a template for future work in many political and community spheres and to propose a process of consensus building which can meet the needs of the many sovereign groups in Hawai'i.14

ADVOCATE-LEADERS

Mililani Trask, Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa and H.K. Bruss Keppeler support the nation-within-a-nation model of self-government. Trask is an attorney and Kia'Aina (Governor) of Ka Lahui Hawai'i. She has been the principal organizer of the 21,000 member Ka Lahui nation. Trask supports the nation-within-a-nation model based on Ka Lahui's Master Plan, with rights expanded beyond those granted to Native American Indians and Alaskans. These rights include Ka Lahui's ability to trade beyond the boundaries of the United States based on pre-existing international trade agreements of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.15

Kame'eleihiwa is a Professor in the Department of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i and a citizen of Ka Lahui Hawai'i. She is the author of Native Land and Foreign Desires, which traces the change in Hawaiian communal land tenure to private ownership of land through the "Mahele" (land division) of 1848. Kame'eleihiwa also supports the nation-within-a-nation model based on Ka Lahui's Master Plan, not on the Native American Indian model. She does not agree to the sovereign implications of nation-within-a-nation status under the U.S. federal government. Ka Lahui's National Land Trust is not a nation, according to her, but a fundamental element of the Master Plan. She views the Master Plan as "a step towards full-independence."16

Keppeler is an attorney and member of the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council. He is President of the 3,000 - 4,000 member Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. He has been active in Hawaiian issues since 1966. From a legal standpoint based on the facts of history, Keppeler concludes that independence status for Hawai'i is the only logical answer to current developments in the sovereignty movement, and the only approach that will undo the crimes of history committed against Native Hawaiians. However from a pragmatic view, he believes Hawaiians may have to settle for nation-within-a-nation status in the interim. He further indicated the current "status quo" (integration) form of governance under the United States is an alternative Hawaiians could choose to exercise as a basis of self-determination.17 "Integration with an independent State" is one of the choices for self-government listed under U.N. Resolution 1541 (XV), as discussed in chapter 2.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Model
Q1. Which model of Hawaiian sovereignty do you support?

Mililani Trask - Nation-within-a-nation based on Ka Lahui Hawai'i's Master Plan, with rights expanded beyond the Native American Indian model

Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa - Nation-within-a-nation based on Ka Lahui Hawai'i's Master Plan leading to full-independence

Bruss Keppeler - Nation-within-a-nation leading to full-independence



Citizenship
Q2. Within that model, can non-Hawaiians obtain citizenship? What is the process of becoming a citizen?

Trask indicated non-Hawaiians can obtain citizenship in the Hawaiian nation. The process of becoming a citizen in Ka Lahui Hawai'i is to enroll as an "honorary non-Hawaiian citizen." Honorary citizens in Ka Lahui can hold appointed office, participate on committees and in functions of the nation, and are free to speak, lobby and introduce resolutions in the Ka Lahui legislature. In addition, honorary citizens are entitled to rights and benefits which may flow from Native Hawaiian family members, e.g., the right to live on the Hawaiian land base. Honorary citizens, however, are not allowed to vote or hold elective office. Trask mentioned it is a possibility non-Hawaiians could vote in the future.

Kame'eleihiwa confirmed that non-Hawaiians have "honorary citizenship" in Ka Lahui Hawai'i which means they can give opinions, discuss issues and attend meetings that are open to the public. She expressed Ka Lahui has received much relevant input from non-Hawaiians and has strongly considered their viewpoints in the decision-making process. However, non-Hawaiians cannot vote in the Ka Lahui legislature. She believes, "this should continue over trust lands forever. There has to be a place where Hawaiians have the only say." Kame'eleihiwa explained that in past Hawaiian history, when non-Hawaiians participated in the decision-making process, Hawaiians were overtaken, such as in 1893. She thinks it is fair for Hawaiians to have total control over a national land base to ensure their survival. Non-Hawaiians should respect this, she said.

Keppeler views the concept of a nation-within-a-nation as a purely indigenous Hawaiian model. Therefore he does not see non-Hawaiians obtaining citizenship in the Hawaiian nation. He said most Native American Indian nations follow the same policy regarding citizenship. Non-Natives married to Natives are allowed to live with their spouses on the land base of the nation. He added Hawaiian ceded lands are set aside on all islands for Hawaiians to develop a cultural and economic base for a future nation.



Property
Q3. What is the status of non-Hawaiians who are not citizens of the Hawaiian nation? Can they reside in Hawai'i, vote, own homes, land or businesses?

Trask emphasized that Ka Lahui Hawai'i makes no claim for privately owned homes and land in Hawai'i. She writes, "Private Property held in fee by citizens and non-citizens, or others will not be impacted."18 Regarding non-citizen residents of the nation-within-a-nation, "No provision is made to incorporate or impact non-citizen residents. There is no demotion of their state, federal or county rights or property rights."19 Non-Hawaiians who are not citizens of the Hawaiian nation could reside, vote, and own homes, land and businesses in the state of Hawai'i. Trask said businesses on land claimed by the Hawaiian nation would have to be reviewed. She noted that "one small class of private owners," who have obtained leases to Hawaiian Homelands through the state of Hawai'i, would need to have their leases and licenses "reviewed to ensure that adequate rent is paid and that the use of our lands is not one that wastes the property."20

Kame'eleihiwa responded that non-Hawaiians who do not become citizens would not reside, vote, or own homes, land and businesses in the Hawaiian nation. Non-Hawaiian non-citizens could reside, vote, and own homes, land and businesses outside of Ka Lahui Hawai'i's National Land Trust.

For Keppeler, non-Hawaiian non-citizens would not reside in the nation-within-a-nation, except for those married to Hawaiians. He said there would be no ownership of homes, land and businesses by non-Hawaiians in the Hawaiian nation. He affirmed that non-Hawaiians would live and vote in the state of Hawai'i. Privately owned homes, land and businesses of non-Hawaiians outside the Hawaiian nation would not be affected.



Q4. Would non-Hawaiian residents who do not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation, but who owned homes, land and businesses at the time of the transition to nationhood, retain their property? Under what circumstances might they be evicted from property?

For Trask and Ka Lahui Hawai'i, privately held homes and land of non-Hawaiians who do not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation would not be affected. The answer to question 3 in terms of businesses would also apply to the transitional stage in question 4. Regarding evictions, both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians holding leases and licenses to ceded lands and Hawaiian Homelands through the state of Hawai'i, who abuse and misuse these lands, may have to worry about evictions. She added nobody would be "kicked out" of Hawai'i.

Kame'eleihiwa responded that non-Hawaiians who do not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation would retain privately owned homes and land. Regarding non-Hawaiian businesses on trust lands, she cited the Vanuatu model where foreign businesses on Vanuatu's nationalized land base continued to own the infrastructure but paid lease rentals to the Native people and had to abide by their laws. She sees the same type of agreement occurring concerning Ka Lahui Hawai'i's National Land Trust. In terms of non-Hawaiians being evicted from property, Kame'eleihiwa did not think non-Hawaiians being evicted from land was possible.

Keppeler indicated homes, land and businesses of non-Hawaiians, who would not become citizens in the nation-within-a-nation, would not be affected during the transitional period.



Q5. Can non-Hawaiian citizens of the Hawaiian nation retain homes, land and businesses? Under what circumstances might non-Hawaiian citizens be evicted from property?

For Trask, the answer to question 5 is affirmative regarding non-Hawaiian citizens retaining fee simple title to homes and land. Businesses on land claimed by the Hawaiian nation would have to be reviewed. Evictions of non-Hawaiian citizens apply to question 4.

Kame'eleihiwa indicated non-Hawaiian honorary citizens of Ka Lahui Hawai'i would retain homes and land. Non-Hawaiian citizen-owned businesses on the land trust would pay leases to and abide by the laws of the Hawaiian nation. Evictions of non-Hawaiian citizens apply to question 4.

Question 5 does not apply to Keppeler since non-Hawaiians would not obtain citizenship in the Hawaiian nation.



Leadership and Governmental Positions
Q6. Can non-Hawaiian citizens hold leadership positions in the Hawaiian nation? In what capacity?

Trask responded "yes" to question 6. Although non-Hawaiians cannot hold elected office in the Ka Lahui Hawai'i legislature, she sees leadership also stemming from appointed governmental positions. Today, non-Hawaiians hold appointed office as diplomatic liaisons, members of the Land Trust board, and are working in key management positions. Kame'eleihiwa said non-Hawaiians cannot hold leadership positions in Ka Lahui Hawai'i. Question 6 does not apply to Keppeler.



Q7. Can non-Hawaiian citizens hold governmental positions in the Hawaiian nation? In what capacity?

The answer to question 7 is affirmative for Trask. See question 6. Kame'eleihiwa's general response was "no" to this question. She confirmed that non-Hawaiians cannot hold elected office in Ka Lahui Hawai'i, although they could be hired and appointed as advisors to the nation. For Keppeler, question 7 does not apply.



Transitional Stage/Privileges
Q8. What is the primary role of non-Hawaiians within the transitional stage of your model?

Trask replied non-Hawaiians should support Ka Lahui Hawai'i and be involved with the issues Ka Lahui is addressing, as a diverse community seeking social justice and civil rights. In addition, she indicated that non-Hawaiians, as the majority population in Hawai'i, are called upon "to stand-up and preserve the environmental integrity of our land base and natural resources."

For Kame'eleihiwa, the primary role of non-Hawaiians today is to support Hawaiians. She would like "non-Hawaiians to love us and support us -- not tell us what to do, but love and support and offer their services upon request." She's encouraged by non-Hawaiians who decide to learn more about Hawaiian culture, language and history, but not forgetting that they are not Hawaiian. She said Hawaiian "wannabes" are not wanted and are offensive; people should celebrate who they are. Kame'eleihiwa does not think Hawaiians would be so concerned about Hawaiian ancestry and blood quantum if they could trust non-Hawaiians. But so many non-Hawaiians, according to her, are willing to take advantage of Hawaiians and use the generosity of Hawaiians against them. She stressed non-Hawaiians should respect the Hawaiian culture, language and people.

Keppeler responded non-Hawaiians need to help Hawaiians "carve out a nation." He said all residents of Hawai'i would have to ratify the new nation, probably at a 1998 State Constitutional Convention.



Q9. Would long-time non-Hawaiian residents and non-Hawaiians born and raised in Hawai'i be granted any special privileges as citizens of the Hawaiian nation?

The general response from Trask to question 9 was "no." However, she mentioned many non-Hawaiians lost their Hawaiian citizenship at the time of the Overthrow in 1893. These non-Hawaiians have a right to come forward and be recognized and make claims as descendants of the Hawaiian Kingdom. According to Trask, Hawaiians should not be expected to raise claims for non-Hawaiians who lost their citizenship. Since Hawaiians cannot raise political claims for people they do not represent, she said non-Hawaiians who lost their citizenship in 1893 need to come forward and "enunciate your claims."

Kame'eleihiwa replied that under the Ka Lahui Hawai'i Master Plan, non-Hawaiians' ideas and opinions are always going to be taken into account, but not the privilege to vote. She stressed the Hawaiian land base must forever be controlled by only Hawaiians. She said non-Hawaiians already have the special privilege of living in Hawai'i.

Question 9 does not apply to Keppeler because in his view non-Hawaiians would not obtain citizenship in the nation-within-a-nation.



Benefits
Q10. How are the pensions, social security and Medicare benefits of non-Hawaiian citizens affected in the Hawaiian nation? Do you have a plan to implement similar programs?

Trask emphasized that pensions, social security and Medicare benefits of Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian citizens would not be affected, as is the case with other Native groups in the United States. She indicated the nation-within-a-nation model "does not negatively impact the rights of citizenship bestowed by America or the State. It only expands upon them." Trask said Ka Lahui Hawai'i is currently working with Queens Medical in implementing Hawaiian traditional and Western programs of health care. She stressed that these programs are in addition to, not as a substitute for, existing federal aid programs.

Kame'eleihiwa replied the above benefits should be applicable to non-Hawaiian citizens as long as they retain their American citizenship. She mentioned the goal within Ka Lahui Hawai'i should be to provide free health care and educational benefits to citizens, along with an emphasis on preventative health care and physical fitness.

For Keppeler, question 10 does not apply as non-Hawaiians would not become citizens of the nation-within-a-nation. He said the pensions, social security and Medicare benefits of Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians outside the Hawaiian nation would not change.



Immigration/Tourism
Q11. What are your views on immigration? Can non-Hawaiians immigrate to Hawai'i and become citizens of the Hawaiian nation?

Trask responded that excessive immigration into Hawai'i has not been adequately controlled by the federal and state governments. She believes:

We need to put a cap on immigration whether it is coming from the U.S. continent or some other foreign source. We are approaching the point in which we have hit the carrying capacity of the island archipelago. The carrying capacity is what determines who lives where. Therefore, we need to control immigration.21
Trask pointed out the problem of the serious water shortage on O'ahu, and how increased immigration would continue to negatively impact water resources.

Kame'eleihiwa responded that immigration in the future must be strictly controlled. She stressed Hawai'i has a small land base with already over a million people. Immigration of non-Hawaiians onto Ka Lahui Hawai'i's National Land Trust would most likely be for only those married to Hawaiians.

For Keppeler, non-Hawaiians who immigrate to Hawai'i would not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation.



Q12. What are your views on tourism? Would tourism remain an economic market? In what capacity?

Trask and Ka Lahui Hawai'i have called for a moratorium on tourism. She is critical because tourism, as the only major economic market in Hawai'i, has "taxed our land base" and added to sewage and environmental problems. She says the state of Hawai'i is to blame for a poor policy of economic development. The current fiscal crisis is the evidence proving the people of Hawai'i are not benefiting from tourism.

Kame'eleihiwa is against tourism within Ka Lahui Hawai'i's National Land Trust.

Keppeler views tourism becoming culturally enhanced in the nation-within-a-nation. He sees tourism continuing within the state of Hawai'i, but believes there must be stricter controls placed on the tourism industry, with a greater emphasis on cultural and resource preservation.

SUMMARY-ANALYSIS

The nation-within-a-nation model of self-government is a form of integration within the United States federal system. However unlike the Native American Indian model, the formation of a nation-within-a-nation in the case of Hawai'i is apparently more expansive. The principal advocate organization, Ka Lahui Hawai'i, bases the nation-within-a-nation concept on its Ho'okupu a Ka Lahui Hawai'i (Master Plan for Hawaiian sovereignty). Citizens of the Hawaiian nation would exercise autonomy under U.S. federal laws and the laws of the Hawaiian nation. The tables below summarize the information gathered from my interviews. I provide brief analyses in each of six main areas of the general questions. The analyses focus on consensus found among the advocate-leaders regarding roles of non-Hawaiians in the nation-within-a-nation model.

Table 5.1 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Citizenship

Leaders Q2. Can non-Hawaiians obtain citizenship? Q2. What is the process of becoming a citizen?
Mililani Trask Yes Enroll as an "honorary non-Hawaiian citizen" in Ka Lahui Hawai'i.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa Yes Enroll as an "honorary citizen" in Ka Lahui Hawai'i.
Bruss Keppeler No. Most Native American Indian nations do not allow for non-Native citizenship. Those married to Natives could live on the land base of the nation. Not applicable

Table 5.1 views whether non-Hawaiians can become citizens in the nation-within-a-nation model, and the process of becoming a citizen. The consensus found here was among the Ka Lahui Hawai'i leaders in that non-Hawaiians can enroll as "honorary citizens" in the Hawaiian nation.

Table 5.2 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Property

Q3. What is the status of non-Hawaiians who are not citizens of the Hawaiian nation? Can they:

Leaders Reside in the Hawaiian nation? Vote? Own homes? Own land? Own businesses?
Mililani Trask No No No No Businesses on land claimed by the Hawaiian nation would have to be reviewed.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa No No No No No
Bruss Keppeler Only those married to Hawaiians No No No No

Tables 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 mainly concern the area of property. Table 5.2 focuses on the period of time after implementation of the nation-within-a-nation model. The consensus found among the leaders in this table was that non-Hawaiian non-citizens would not be able to reside in the Hawaiian nation, vote, or own homes, land and businesses.

Table 5.3 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Property

Q4. Would non-Hawaiian residents who do not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation, but who owned homes, land and businesses at the time of the transition to nationhood, retain their property? Under what circumstances might they be evicted from property?

Leaders Retain homes? Retain land? Retain businesses? Evictions?
Mililani Trask Yes Yes Businesses on land claimed by the Hawaiian nation would have to be reviewed. Those who abuse and misuse ceded and Hawaiian Home Lands may have to worry.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa Yes Yes Yes. If on Ka Lahui's National Land Trust they would pay leases to and abide by the laws of the Hawaiian nation. Not possible
Bruss Keppeler Yes Yes Yes ?

Tables 5.3 and 5.4 focus on the transitional stage to achievement of the nation-within-a-nation model, and the issue of evictions. In table 5.3, the consensus here was that non-Hawaiians who do not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation would be able to retain homes and land, as private property of citizens and non-citizens would not be affected. The primary consensus regarding businesses, which are on leasehold, was that non-Hawaiian non-citizens would likely be able to retain them, although leases may have to be reviewed. In both tables 5.3 and 5.4 there was no obvious consensus regarding the circumstances of non-Hawaiians being evicted from property.

Table 5.4 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Property

Q5. Can non-Hawaiian citizens of the Hawaiian nation retain homes, land and businesses? Under what circumstances might non-Hawaiian citizens be evicted from property?

Leaders Retain homes? Retain land? Retain businesses? Evictions?
Mililani Trask Yes Yes Businesses on land claimed by the Hawaiian nation would have to be reviewed. Those who abuse and misuse ceded and Hawaiian Home Lands may have to worry.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa Yes Yes Yes. If on Ka Lahui's National Land Trust they would pay leases to and abide by the laws of the Hawaiian nation. Not possible
Bruss Keppeler Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

In table 5.4, the consensus found here was among the Ka Lahui Hawai'i leaders who agreed that non-Hawaiian citizens of the Hawaiian nation would retain homes, land and businesses, although businesses would likely be reviewed.

Table 5.5 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Leadership and Governmental Positions

Leaders Q6. Can non-Hawaiian citizens hold leadership positions in the Hawaiian nation? In what capacity? Q7. Can non-Hawaiian citizens hold governmental positions in the Hawaiian nation? In what capacity?
Mililani Trask Yes. Leadership stems from appointed governmental positions. Yes. They can hold appointed governmental positions.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa No Generally "no." They could be hired and appointed as advisors to the nation.
Bruss Keppeler Not applicable Not applicable

Table 5.5 addresses non-Hawaiian citizens holding leadership and governmental positions in the nation-within-a-nation. There was no consensus among the leaders in this table concerning leadership positions, and a weak consensus among the Ka Lahui Hawai'i leaders in terms of non-Hawaiians holding appointed governmental positions in the Hawaiian nation.

Table 5.6 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Transitional Stage/Privileges

Leaders Q8. What is the primary role of non-Hawaiians within the transitional stage of your model? Q9. Would long-time non-Hawaiian residents and non-Hawaiians born and raised in Hawai'i be granted any special privileges as citizens of the Hawaiian nation?
Mililani Trask Non-Hawaiians should support Ka Lahui and be involved with the issues they are addressing as a diverse community seeking social justice and civil rights. Generally "no." She said many non-Hawaiians lost their Hawaiian citizenship in 1893. They have a right to come forward and make claims as descendants of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa The primary role of non-Hawaiians today is to support Hawaiians. She would like "non-Hawaiians to love us and support us ..." Non-Hawaiians already have the special privilege of living in Hawai'i.
Bruss Keppeler Non-Hawaiians need to help Hawaiians "carve out a nation." All residents would have to ratify the new nation, probably at a 1998 State Constitutional Convention. Not applicable

Table 5.6 looks at the primary role of non-Hawaiians in the transitional stage of the nation-within-a-nation model, and whether long-time non-Hawaiian residents would receive any special privileges as citizens. The general indication given regarding roles was that non-Hawaiians today should support and help Hawaiians, primarily by assisting in Hawaiian issues. Regarding privileges, the basic consensus found among the Ka Lahui Hawai'i leaders was that non-Hawaiians would not be granted any special privileges as citizens of the Hawaiian nation.

Table 5.7 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Benefits

Q10. How are the pensions, social security and Medicare benefits of non-Hawaiian citizens affected in the Hawaiian nation? Do you have a plan to implement similar programs?

Leaders Pensions? Social Security? Medicare? Implement Programs?
Mililani Trask Not affected as is the case with other Native groups in the U.S. Not affected as is the case with other Native groups in the U.S. Not affected as is the case with other Native groups in the U.S. Ka Lahui is working with Queens Medical in implementing Hawaiian traditional and Western programs of health care.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa Should be applicable as long as they retain their American citizenship Should be applicable as long as they retain their American citizenship Should be applicable as long as they retain their American citizenship The goal within Ka Lahui should be to provide free health care and educational benefits to citizens ...
Bruss Keppeler Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Table 5.7 indicates how certain benefits of non-Hawaiian citizens would be affected in the nation-within-a-nation, and if the leaders had plans to implement similar programs. The main consensus found in this table was among the Ka Lahui Hawai'i leaders, who pointed out that pensions, social security and Medicare benefits of non-Hawaiians would not be affected as long as they retain their U.S. citizenship. The Ka Lahui leaders also agreed that health care should be a top priority in the Hawaiian nation.

Table 5.8 NATION-WITHIN-A-NATION  

Immigration/Tourism

Leaders Q11. What are your views on immigration? Can non-Hawaiians immigrate to Hawai'i and become citizens of the Hawaiian nation? Q12. What are your views on tourism? Would tourism remain an economic market? In what capacity?
Mililani Trask Excessive immigration into Hawai'i has not been adequately controlled by the federal and state governments. "We need to put a cap on immigra- tion whether its coming from the U.S. continent or some other foreign source." Trask and Ka Lahui have called for a moratorium on tourism. As the only major economic market in Hawai'i tourism has "taxed our land base" and added to sewage and environmental problems.
Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa Immigration into Hawai'i must be strictly controlled in the future. Immigration onto Ka Lahui's National Land Trust would most likely be to only those married to Hawaiians. Kame'eleihiwa is against tourism on Ka Lahui's National Land Trust.
Bruss Keppeler Non-Hawaiians who immigrate to Hawai'i would not become citizens of the Hawaiian nation. Keppeler views tourism becoming culturally enhanced in the Hawaiian nation. In the state of Hawai'i, stricter controls must be placed on the tourist industry with an emphasis on cultural and resource preservation.

Table 5.8 discusses the leaders' views on immigration and tourism, whether non-Hawaiians can immigrate to and become citizens of the Hawaiian nation, and if tourism would remain an economic market in Hawai'i or become a market in the nation-within-a-nation. The main agreement regarding immigration was among the Ka Lahui Hawai'i leaders who stressed that immigration into Hawai'i and the nation-within-a-nation must be strictly controlled in the future. The primary consensus among the leaders was that tourism would be unlikely in the Hawaiian nation.

The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement:
Roles of and Impacts on Non-Hawaiians

By Anthony Castanha, August 1996


<-- CHAPTER 4
STATE-WITHIN-A-STATE
CONTENTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CHAPTER 6
FREE ASSOCIATION
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1 Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie, Native Hawaiians Rights Handbook (Edited), Honolulu: Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation/Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1991, p. 86.
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2 Quoted in MacKenzie, Native Hawaiians Rights Handbook, pp. 83-84.
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3 Ibid., p. 84.
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4 MacKenzie, Native Hawaiian Rights Handbook, p. 84.
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5 Ann Botticelli, "Inouye: Nation within nation could work," Honolulu Advertiser, November 27, 1995.
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6 Hui Na'auao, "Models of Sovereignty-Critical Analysis," December 1994.
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7 Office of Hawaiian Affairs, "Ho'olahui hou (Re-building a nation)," Ka Wai Ola O OHA, December 1994, p. 10.
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8 Davianna Pomaika'i McGregor, Sovereignty: Hawaiians and Locals, Paper presented at the Association of Asian American Studies Conference, University of Michigan, 1994, p. 12.
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9 Ann Botticelli, "Go forward, not back, Mililani Trask urges," Honolulu Advertiser, November 27, 1995.
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10 Haunani-Kay Trask, From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'i, Monroe, Maine: Common Courage Press, 1993, p. 95.
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11 "Ka Lahui Hawai'i National Structure of Government," Ka Lahui Hawai'i: A Compilation of Materials for Educational Workshops on Ka Lahui Hawai'i, 1993, p. 5.
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12 Ka Lahui Hawai'i, Ho'okupu a Ka Lahui Hawai'i: The Master Plan, 1995, p. 3.
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13 Ibid., p. 9.
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14 Ibid., p. 1.
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15 Interview with Mililani Trask, December 15, 1995.
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16 Interview with Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa, February 12, 1996.
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17 Interview with Bruss Keppeler, December 13, 1995.
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18 Hawaiian Sovereignty Economic Symposium, Questionnaire Responses, Honolulu: Prepared by Kenya Information Services, May 5, 1993, p. 2.
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19 Ibid., p. 1.
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20 Interview with Mililani Trask, December 15, 1995.
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21 Interview with Mililani Trask, December 15, 1995.
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The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement:
Roles of and Impacts on Non-Hawaiians

By Anthony Castanha, August 1996


<-- CHAPTER 4
STATE-WITHIN-A-STATE
CONTENTS

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CHAPTER 6
FREE ASSOCIATION
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