The future of a Hawaiian nation has suddenly found itself in the shadow of a huge cloud with the stunning election of Republican Donald Trump as president.
Hawaiian leaders say Trump not only could waylay the ongoing efforts to create a Hawaiian nation but also could work to hinder entitlements and help engender an atmosphere of bigotry and racial prejudice.
“The Trump backlash is going to affect all minorities, especially those with federal entitlements,” Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Peter Apo said.
Of particular concern in Hawaii, Apo said, is that Trump could block the pathway to federal recognition as laid out by President Barack Obama through a federal rule proposed by the Department of the Interior.
“It’s not likely that Obama’s executive order will pass muster by a Trump administration,” Apo said.
For years, Republicans blocked the Akaka Bill, the proposed legislation named for former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka that attempted to establish federal recognition for Native Hawaiians through Congress.
On the other hand, Trump is not your garden-variety Republican and is known to be unpredictable, Apo said.
“If anything, we would reach out to the Trump administration through the Department of the Interior to see what kind of reaction we would get,” he said.
While former OHA Trustee Moanikeala Akaka, a supporter of independence, said she wouldn’t mind if Trump pulled back on the proposed federal rule, the election of Trump otherwise is nothing short of frightening.
“As one who has been fighting for justice for Hawaiians for five decades, it is frightening,” said Akaka, a Hilo resident. “I’m afraid he will put our people further back from getting the justice we rightfully deserve in our own homeland.”
Akaka said she’s bothered by Trump’s “racist views” against Mexicans and Muslims, among others, and she’s afraid that attitude will reach over to Hawaii.
Akaka also said she’s afraid Trump won’t stop at the proposed DOI rule. She said she’s also worried he’ll block Obama’s recent expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a move she strongly supported.
“But nobody knows what he’s going to do. Does he know?” she said.
Not all Hawaiians view Trump’s presidency with dread. OHA Trustee-elect Keli‘i Akina said the majority of Native Hawaiians should welcome a president who would oppose federal efforts to “tribalize” Hawaiians.
“OHA’s own sponsored research shows that Hawaiians don’t want government spending on nationhood, but on the real needs of Hawaiians for housing, jobs, education and health care,” Akina said. “I believe those would be priorities for a Trump administration.”
‘Dead in the water’
Dr. Kalama‘oka‘aina Niheu of the ʻAha Aloha ʻAina coalition agreed there’s a good chance the DOI rule is “dead in the water.”
But if it isn’t, she said, she’s fearful that Trump will pursue “the worst degree of exploitation and subjugation” of the Hawaiian people by negotiating rights away from the Hawaiian people.
“Trump has no sympathy or good will toward people of color, especially those of the First Nations,” Niheu said.
Niheu said Trump’s victory is a reflection of what’s happening in America, from the favoring of corporate interests over the individual, to the increasing gap between rich and poor, and the country’s inability to protect its minorities or their rights.
Niheu’s organization will hold a community forum on the future of the Hawaiian nation from 7 to 10 tonight in the Farrington High School cafeteria.
Aha Aloha Aina, a coalition of Hawaiian organizations, businesses and Hawaiian leaders, was formed in response to the state-initiated Na‘i Aupuni nation-building campaign and has held more than 30 meetings to counter the effort with discussions about independence.
The Na‘i Aupuni convention in February produced a constitution that awaits ratification by the Hawaiian people. Convention participants have been raising money in hopes of launching a campaign that will lead to a ratification election.
Jade Danner, a convention participant, said she was despondent at 2 a.m. while ruminating about what Trump’s ascendancy to power means for federal recognition and the benefits and protections it would provide to Hawaiians.
But as the day went on, Danner, a former aide to Sen. Akaka, said she became more circumspect with a wait-and-see attitude.
“The election of Trump is a blow, but not all is lost — not at all,” she said. “The fact is we have a lot of work to do at home before we can exercise the option for the proposed federal rule.”
What’s more, Trump’s position on indigenous rights is not known, she said.
“And if he doesn’t know about those rights, indigenous leaders will do their level best to educate him,” she said.
For Niheu, Trump’s election represents an opportunity for the Hawaiian people to unite and reset the nation-building process “in a real way rather than a manufactured way.”
Niheu criticized OHA for squandering at least $33 million of Native Hawaiian trust funds on an nation-building effort that now appears to be doomed.
“For the past 15 years OHA has ignored the people,” she said. “We need to start evaluating and honoring resources in the community and listening to their concerns.”
A critical time
Speakers invited to tonight’s forum include Hawaiian leaders Robin Danner, Michelle Kauhane, former Gov. John Waihee and Apo, all of whom support federal recognition. Representing independence will be Ku Kahakalau, Mililani Trask, Kaho‘okahi Kanuha and Niheu.
“We are asking those leaders who pushed for this ‘Hawaiian constitution’ be accountable for the unilateral decisions they are making on behalf of our entire lahui (nation). Now more than ever it’s critical for the kanaka maoli community to unite to protect our rights in a way that truly listens to, uplifts, educates, and honors our people,” Niheu said.
Apo said he has a previous commitment.
