The Hawaiian term of „Aloha“ represents a salute that is well known and adapted all around the world. Talking to people that live on or have been to the Islands of Hawai’i, you will soon find out that beyond that and along with the wisdom values of ‚Ohana’ and ‚Mana’, ‚Aloha’ is an entire way of life pursued by every living organism that is connected to Hawai’i. Literally translated, Aloha means ‚presence of the breath’ but also stands for love, kindness, compassion and gracefulness. The spirit of Aloha reflects the union of all beings and a deep connection with earth. Alongside with those continuously lived values, ‚Aloha a’ina’ – the ‚love for the land’ – is ubiquitous.

So it is no surprise that especially the indigenous Hawaiians aim to preserve their traditional culture. As they do not consider themselves „Americans“ but rather an ethnic culture that deserves sovereignity, several autonomy movements have been established in the past 125 years.

“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” - Lili’uokalani, Hawai’i’s last Queen

Traditional Hawaii

Having been ruled by a constitutional monarchy under Queen Lili’uokalani, the sovereignity of Hawai’i eventually gets overthrown by sugar plantation owners with support of the U.S. in 1893 and one year later, the „Republic of Hawai’i“ is proclaimed. With the annexation in 1898, Hawai’i’s original language, its Hula dance and chanting traditions get prohibited by the USA. In 1959, Hawai’i is reported the 50. and therefore newest U.S. state after a plebiscite that has later been proclaimed invalid. In 1993, the United States recognize the unrelinquished sovereignty of the Native Hawaiians and apologize for overthrowing the Kingdom of Hawaii one hundred years earlier. Subsequently, the agreement of the „Hawaii Apology Act“ is concluded - granting the sovereignty movement called „Nation of Hawai’i“ a stretch of 45 acres land located in the north east of Honolulu, O’ahu.

Tradition and transformation

Lead by Dennis ‚Bumpy’ Kanahele, Pu’uhonua o Waimanolo seeks to preserve traditions and is regarded a sovereign government by its population of around 80 hawaiian, japanese and haole people. Driven by the quest of regaining Hawaii’s absolute state independency and autarchy by advocating a republican government, the movement strives to revive Hawaiian cultural elements such as dance and language, taro farming and traditional tattooing that have been supressed by the United States.

With Hawaii being in a permanent transformation, Bumpy Kanahele and his combatants strive to further develop and improve the infrastructure and maintanance of Hawai’i to not only gain independence politically but to also find stabilization in trade economy while maintaining local diversity and heritage – conducting every act under the spirit of Aloha.

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