The Fight To Take Back Hawaii | Foreign Correspondent
ABC News In-depth・2 minutes read
Hawaii's native Hawaiians face struggles due to historical land loss, while surfing remains a significant part of Hawaiian culture and history. Efforts are being made to address issues like housing affordability, cultural education, and reclaiming stolen land to build a self-sustaining community for future generations.
Insights
- Native Hawaiians, like the Kanakamali, have suffered significant losses in land, language, and culture due to historical actions by the United States, impacting their way of life and identity.
- Twinkle Borge's efforts to provide refuge and reclaim land for houseless Hawaiians reflect a broader movement in Hawaii to address housing affordability, cultural preservation, and environmental concerns, showcasing a community-driven approach to combating systemic challenges and fostering self-sustainability.
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Recent questions
What is the significance of surfing in Hawaiian culture?
Surfing in Hawaiian culture is not just a sport but a way of life deeply rooted in tradition. Referred to as the water men and women, surfers are revered practitioners who embody the connection between the people and the ocean. Surfing holds spiritual and communal importance, reflecting the harmony between humans and nature that is central to Hawaiian beliefs. The sport's history in Hawaii dates back centuries, making it an integral part of the island's identity and heritage.
How has Hawaii's history impacted its native population?
Hawaii's history has had a profound impact on its native population, the Kanakamali. From the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 to the colonization and transformation of the islands into farms for mass production, native Hawaiians have faced significant land, language, and cultural losses. The historical injustices have led to ongoing struggles for the Kanakamali, including housing affordability crises, high rates of houselessness, and environmental concerns due to the presence of US military bases on the islands.
Who is Twinkle Borge and what is her role in the Hawaiian community?
Twinkle Borge is a community leader in Hawaii who has played a crucial role in supporting houseless Hawaiians. She created a refuge at Waianae Boat Harbour, providing a safe and supportive environment for around 250 residents who have been disproportionately affected by the housing affordability crisis. Twinkle's efforts extend to reclaiming land in a valley to build a permanent home for her community, focusing on self-sustainability, education, and cultural preservation for future generations.
What are some environmental concerns in Hawaii related to US military presence?
The presence of US military bases in Hawaii, including Pearl Harbor, has raised environmental concerns such as jet fuel leaks contaminating the fresh water supply. This has sparked calls for the cancellation of military leases and highlighted the issue of stolen land, as the bases occupy significant portions of Hawaiian territory. The environmental impact of military activities in Hawaii underscores the ongoing struggles faced by the native population due to historical injustices and land theft.
How is the Hawaiian community working towards cultural preservation and self-sustainability?
The Hawaiian community is actively working towards cultural preservation and self-sustainability through initiatives like cultural education in schools, land reclamation projects, and community-led efforts to address housing affordability issues. By focusing on reviving Hawaiian culture and language, reclaiming land for self-sustaining communities, and promoting education for future generations, Hawaiians are striving to lessen intergenerational trauma, preserve their heritage, and build a more sustainable future for their community.
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Summary
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Struggles and Beauty: Hawaii's Complex Reality
- Hawaii, known for its beauty, is also a place of struggle for native Hawaiians, the Kanakamali, who have faced land, language, and cultural losses due to the United States' actions.
- The Pipeline Pro surfing competition, a significant event in surfing history, takes place on the North Shore of Hawaii, with renowned surfers like Kelly Slater and Seth Moniz participating.
- The competition includes women surfers tackling Pipeline for the first time, with Hawaiian surfers like Karissa Moore leading the charge.
- Surfing, deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, is more than just a sport but a way of life, with revered practitioners known as the water men and women.
- Hawaii's history includes being overthrown by American businessmen in 1893, leading to colonization and the transformation of the islands into farms for mass production.
- The state's strategic importance led to Hawaii becoming the 50th state of the USA in 1959, triggering a tourism boom that remains a significant source of income.
- The rising cost of land in Hawaii, driven by global elite buyers, has led to a housing affordability crisis, with native Hawaiians disproportionately affected, contributing to high rates of houselessness.
- Twinkle Borge, a community leader, has created a refuge for houseless Hawaiians at Waianae Boat Harbour, providing a safe and supportive environment for around 250 residents.
- Hawaiian efforts for solutions include cultural education in schools like Kawaina Akana Aval, focusing on reviving Hawaiian culture and language to lessen intergenerational trauma.
- The presence of US military bases in Hawaii, including Pearl Harbor, has led to environmental concerns like jet fuel leaks into the fresh water supply, sparking calls for the cancellation of military leases and highlighting the issue of stolen land.
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Reclaiming land for self-sustaining Hawaiian community
- Land theft historically deprived Hawaiians of their generational wealth and resources, leading to a lack of self-sustainability.
- Twinkle and her team are reclaiming land in a valley to build a permanent home for their community after 20 years of living in a camp.
- Through donations and grants, Twinkle purchased a 20-acre parcel to establish a self-sustaining community with running water and focus on education for the next generation.
- The Hawaiian movement to preserve their culture and land is growing, with a focus on education, language preservation, and surfing achievements like Kelly Slater's victory at Pipeline.
