In August of 2015, a small group of Hawaiian activists started a group called Protest Na’i to counter the “State of Hawai’i” sponsored and controlled Na’i Aupuni, an organization designed to create a puppet Hawaiian Nation that undermines the Kanaka Maoli peoples human right to self-determination (as defined by the United Nations) by setting up a process set up for federal recognition where no lands (except for Kaho’olawe) will be provided for Kanaka Maoli. Furthermore, thousands of names were put on the State created Kana’iolowalu Roll and transferred to Na’i Aupuni without the free and informed consent of thousands of the Kanaka Maoli people in order to manufacture consent for the exclusive Na’i Aupuni process that had a predetermined outcome. Protest Na’i Aupuni members knew this was not a peoples process because 80% of Kanaka Maoli were excluded from participation, futhermore, millions of dollars of Hawaiian trust monies were being spent on a process that failed to educate the public on Hawaiian sovereignty and had a rushed timeline. Therefore, in August, 2015, Protest Na’i Aupuni branched out in the community and began organizing Halawai Aloha ‘Aina or community meetings on O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i island. Over a thousand community leaders and members physically attended the six Halawai Aloha ‘Aina held and thousands more watched them online or via livestream. It was clear from those meetings that the community, especially the Kanaka Maoli people, were eager for information and education on Hawaiian sovereignty and wanted an open process to achieve justice and independence for a Hawaiian Nation that was more transparent, grounded in our culture, and inclusive. The ‘Aha Aloha ‘Aina was formed as a proactive response to oral and written feed back from the Halawai Aloha ‘Aina.
The ‘Aha Aloha ‘Aina was formed and organized by grassroots community organizers as a response to the resounding call by the Kanaka Maoli community for our a people’s process that would counter the State Sponsored Na’i Aupuni ‘Aha or Convention and be inclusive of all peoples. The ‘Aha Aloha ‘Aina had its first of many planning meetings in Kahalu’u, O’ahu on Saturday, January 9, 2016 starting with only 12 members and has blossomed today to over 468 members and 33 sponsoring groups and organizations from the islands of Maui, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, and Hawai’i as well from the Continental US. The purpose and goals of the ‘Aha Aloha can be found here. The ‘Aha Aloha ‘Aina uses the ancient “Civil Polity” which is embodied as a Kino or Body written described by David Malo in Hawaiian Antiquities. The Kino (found at at this link) provides the tools for Kanaka Maoli to feel the importance of their role in the Hawaiian Nation and helps us to move forward as one.
TIMELINE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9: HALAWAI ALOHA ‘AINA @ O’ahu Island, Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai’i at Manoa 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Agenda and Handout for HAA UHM
Livestream Archive for HAA UHM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015: HALAWAI ALOHA ‘AINA @ Maui Island, Pilina Building 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6: POHAI ‘IMI NA’AUAO @ O’ahu Island,
Kamakakuokalani, Center for Hawaiian Studies Kama 201
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015: DOI TELECONFERENCE @ 1-888-947-9025
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015 – SIGN HOLDING @ O’ahu Island, Beretania Street (in front of State Capitol) 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015: HALAWAI ALOHA ‘AINA @ Hawai’i Island, West Hawai’i Civic Center County Council Chambers 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015: HALAWAI ALOHA ‘AINA @ O’ahu Island, Hau’ula Elementary Cafeteria 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Livestream Link for HAA Hau’ula
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015: HALAWAI ALOHA ‘AINA @ Kaua’i Island, Wilcox School Cafeteria 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015: HALAWAI ALOHA ‘AINA @ O’ahu Island, Papkolea Community Center 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016: PROTEST NA’I AUPUNI “You Do Not Speak For Us” @ O’ahu Island, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, Kailua 7:30 am – 2 pm
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016: ‘AHA ALOHA ‘AINA @Maui Island, Kahului Community Center 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016: ‘AHA ALOHA ‘AINA @ Hawai’i Island, University of Hawai’i at Hilo UCB 100 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016: ‘AHA ALOHA ‘AINA @ Hawai’i Island, Kanu O Ka ‘Aina, Hale Puke 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016: ‘AHA ALOHA ‘AINA @ O’ahu Island, Hale A’o Hawaiian Studies Windward Community College 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016: ‘AHA ALOHA ‘AINA @ Hawai’i Island, West Hawai’i Civic Center, Community Hale 6:00 pm –8:00 pm
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016: ‘AHA ALOHA ‘AINA @ Hawai’i Island, Na’alehu Community Center 4 pm – 6 pm
ʻAha Aloha ʻĀina 