Is Hawaiian Language Fluency the Key to De-Occupation of the Hawaiian Islands?

Legal Status of the Hawaiian Islands

On July 1, 1887, the national government of the Hawaiian Islands was hijacked by insurgents through the unlawful imposition of the so-called "bayonet constitution." On January 17, 1893, the national government of the Hawaiian Islands was unlawfully seized when an armed force of the United States installed the insurgents as a puppet regime. The puppet regime declared itself to be the "Provisional Government" of the Hawaiian Islands.

After a failed mission to obtain an annexation treaty with the United States, the "Provisional Government" changed its name to the "Republic of Hawaiʻi" on July 4, 1894. In 1897, a second attempt was initiated to obtain an annexation treaty between the U.S. and its puppet regime, which would have been illegal if it succeeded. This second attempt failed. Then, the U.S. adopted a congressional resolution on July 7, 1898, pretending to annex the Hawaiian Islands bilaterally. In reality, this action by the U.S. was unilateral and unlawful.

​On June 14, 1900, the U.S. renamed the "Republic of Hawaiʻi" to the "Territory of Hawaiʻi." Thus, the U.S. transitioned from indirect occupation of the Hawaiian Islands through its puppet regime, to direct occupation of the Hawaiian Islands which continues to this day.

Continuity of Hawaiian Nationality and the Hawaiian National Language

Due to the absence of a treaty of cession for the Hawaiian Islands, the independence of the Hawaiian State remains intact to this day. Likewise, Hawaiian nationality remains intact, and the Hawaiian language retains its status as the national language of the Hawaiian Islands. Hence, Hawaiian nationality is synonymous with the Hawaiian language. In other words, aloha ʻāina is synonymous with ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. It therefore follows that the main thing for the Hawaiian community is to keep the first language of the Hawaiian Islands the first language of the Hawaiian Islands.

The Hawaiian language was spoken by a majority of the population prior to the ongoing belligerent occupation that began in 1893. Thus, restoring Hawaiian language fluency would help set the stage for reversing the Occupation which obliterated Hawaiian language fluency in the first place. It is my opinion that Hawaiian language fluency is prerequisite to de-occupation of the Hawaiian Islands, more than de-occupation is prerequisite for the restoration of Hawaiian language fluency.

Could Acquisition of Hawaiian Language Fluency be a Key to Unlocking De-Occupation of the Hawaiian Islands?

​With no end in sight to the Occupation of the Hawaiian Islands, waiting for de-occupation before ambitiously acquiring Hawaiian language fluency, is like putting the cart before the horse, in my opinion. Instead, I believe that if Hawaiian language fluency is achieved by the Hawaiian community, de-occupation of the Hawaiian Islands will naturally follow.

De-occupation of the Hawaiian Islands is not within direct reach of the average Hawaiian. Hawaiian language fluency, on the other hand, is within direct reach of the average Hawaiian. We're not limited just to traditional print media. Any Hawaiian with a computer or mobile device, and an internet connection, can learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi on demand, for free. There are apps like Duolingo, Drops, and Mango. There are online learning platforms like ​ʻŌlelo Online and Hālau ʻŌlelo. ʻŌlelo Hou, by the late John Lake, is available as an e-book. The textbooks used for the Hawaiian language classes taught at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo can be mail ordered.

My point is that--unlike de-occupation--Hawaiian language fluency is now available for the taking by the Hawaiian community today, regardless of where we live in the world. All that is needed is a desire to become as fluent as possible in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Furthermore, Hawaiian language acquisition is common ground for the entire Hawaiian community, which views it in a positive light. In other words, there is no stigma attached to learning to speak ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi because it is not a controversial activity. On the contrary, it only serves to enhance Hawaiian pride and provide positive health benefits. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi today!