The Collegian

Issue date: 11/21/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Zack Farmer

Last Wednesday during Community Time, students had the chance to attend a fiery speech in the Soda Center. In recognition of "Indigenous People's Day" and "National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week," University of Hawai'i Professor Haunani-Kay Trask stopped by Saint Mary's to speak about Hawaiian political issues.

The event, entitled "How to Be a Global Ally: Learning from the Struggles & Triumphs of the Indigenous Peoples of Hawai'i," was kicked off with a traditional chant by Ka'iulani Kauahi '09, and then an introduction by HAPA (Humans Actively Practicing Aloha) President Brandon Elefante '08.

Elefante described Trask as an "internationally known indigenous human rights advocate." Indigenous people were defined by Trask in her speech as the "original people of the land."

Trask stated that Hawaiians need four declarations in order to find justice for what she called her "home country." The first is "The right of Native Hawaiians to self-definition according to both our own Native genealogy and all declarations emanating from the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples."

The second declaration is for "Publicly disseminated statements against recent anti-Native Hawaiian lawsuits devised to take entitlements, including programs, lands and waters, and federal inclusion in the policy on recognized Native nations."

Trask also asked for "A declaration enunciating support for Native Hawaiian self-government on Native lands, including water, access, and development following traditional Native concepts."

The last declaration Trask spoke of was, "A final statement supporting a boycott against all tourism to Hawaii, whether of individuals or groups." She also said, "This is critical given that the mass-based corporate tourist industry brings over six million visitors to Hawaii every year causing tremendous environmental damage, and commodification of Hawaiian culture and our Native people."

Trask likened this practice to prostitution. She said, "The state is the pimp, the tourists are the johns, and our beautiful people and land are subjugated to the corporate engine of mass-based tourism."

She also criticized the United States, saying that "The U.S. is in a state of right-wing, fascist ascendancy." She pointed out that people who support her cause are considered "anti-American," and said, "We're now considered a threat to national security."

Continued...

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