Kumu Kapulani Antonio

Steve Tayama, member of Nation of Hawaiʻi gave us his perspective on Independence. I’m interested to hear what the haumāna think.

We’ve been talking a lot about the different aspects of the Hawaiian Renaissance this week. Hope the students can connect to one.

Are we a state or not? Didn’t we have a statehood vote in 1959? Why to people say the vote was illegal? It’s what we’re talking about today.

Every year I find that although students are upset by the illegal overthrow of our Queen and our Hawaiʻi in 1893, they are more affected and more outraged by the absolute injustice of the 1932 Massie case. See Prof. David Stannard’s article for an in-depth look at the case and its implications. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Oct/14/op/op03a.html

Students become outraged not only because of the blatant racism and lies but because in the commutation of the murderers’ sentence from 10 years to 1 hour, justice was not served. The criminals literally got away with murder.

It’s going to be a heated class tomorrow. Can’t wait.

Talking about the Big 5 today and where they are now. A & B is still a major player in Hawai ‘i. We should all be concerned about the eventual end of sugar. Will Maui become the next Honolulu?

Kids are finding out what APEC is all about and why people are opposed. Check out this poetry slam video for a powerful commentary against how the City of Honolulu is preparing for APEC’s arrival by hiding the homeless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3jSLdmgKWU

Kaʻiulani & U.S. commissioners

Questions & comments from the students:

• Why was Dole portrayed as overly sympathetic to Hawaiians?
• Why was there so much emphasis on the love affair with Clive Davies? Was it accurate?
• If Kaʻiulani was such a major player in our history, why didn’t we learn about her?
• Was there really a huge uprising/massacre protesting annexation?