Book spotlights historic Kalama Valley eviction

Thirty-two people protesting against the eviction of farmers and Native Hawaiians in Kalama Valley was a pivotal event in 1971. It is now recognized as the beginning of the Hawaiian Renaissance — an upsurge in political and cultural pride.

All protesters — residents and supporters — were arrested, though the charges were subsequently dropped.

Talk to some of the activists interviewed in “Hawaii Stories of Change” and the author at a book-signing from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Windward Community College.

Former Honolulu-Star Advertiser reporter and longtime activist Gary T. Kubota — one of those arrested — received a Hawaii Council for the Humanities grant to conduct the oral history, published by Kokua Hawaii Oral History Project.

Larry Kamakawiwoole, chair of the Kokua Hawaii Oral History Project, said in the book’s foreword: “Just what makes individuals decide to put their reputation, and sometimes their bodies, on the line in an act of civil protest can vary as much as their backgrounds. … (The Kalama Valley protesters) came from different parts of the economic spectrum, ranging from a public housing youth to a Honolulu socialite, from a motorcycle gang member to a former Annapolis appointee, from a waitress to a former congressional aide. Yet out of the threat of mass evictions and the anti- Vietnam protest in Hawaii in the 1970s came a Hawaii movement that changed the political landscape.”

Those interviewed include George Cooper; the late Edwina Moanikeala Akaka, former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee; and Raymond Catania, who were arrested. Former State Rep. and Rev. Robert Nakata, John Witeck and former Gov. John Waihee also spoke.

Kamakawiwoole said, “The arrests of local people in Kalama Valley marked a shift in assumptions of land ownership and began raising questions about public land policies that evicted the poor to make way for the wealthy, and increase(d) homelessness.”