Date

5-22-2024

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

Carey Roberts

Keywords

Hawaiian Renaissance, Hawaiian Sovereignty, Akaka Bill, Hawaiian Annexation, Hawaiian Settler Colonialism, Hawaiian Colonialism, Hawaiian Culture, Apology Resolution, Hawaiian Plantation, Kalama Valley, Kahoolawe, Tourism, Military in Hawaii, Maui Fires, Hawaiian Cultural History, Cultural Identity, Wayfairing

Disciplines

History | Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies

Abstract

This dissertation undertakes a rigorous historical analysis to elucidate the intricate and enduring challenges surrounding the desecration of Native Hawaiian lands and culture. Drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources, as well as employing diverse methodological approaches, this study delves deep into the multifaceted factors that have shaped this longstanding issue within the context of Hawaii's history. Beginning with an exploration of the impact of Western legal strategies on land loss and cultural commodification among Native Hawaiians, this research investigates the historical processes that led to the separation of Hawaiians from their ancestral lands. It scrutinizes the ramifications of immigration patterns, particularly the influx of Caucasian settlers from the United States and subsequent Asian migration, which further exacerbated the disconnection between Hawaiians and their traditional territories. Furthermore, this dissertation scrutinizes the implications of Hawaii's statehood and its role in attempting to regain control over these valuable resources. It delves into the complex interplay of economic, political, and social forces that contributed to the marginalization and disenfranchisement of indigenous Hawaiians, especially in light of the consolidation of power by the Big Five Oligarchy and the imposition of martial law. Moreover, this study critically examines the complicity of corporate and governmental entities, particularly those entrenched in the tourism sector, in perpetuating land exploitation and commodifying Hawaiian culture for economic gain. It illuminates the deep-seated entrenchment of Hawaii's economy in tourism, which not only deepened the detachment of Native Hawaiians from their lands but also eroded their self-sufficiency and autonomy. Additionally, this dissertation investigates pivotal historical events such as the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898 and its repercussions on indigenous Hawaiian communities. It analyzes the subsequent rise of Japanese influence post-World War II and its impact on the cultural and political landscape of Hawaii. Furthermore, this study explores the resilience and resistance of Native Hawaiians through activism and cultural revitalization movements, including the Hawaiian Renaissance. It evaluates the efficacy of these movements in reclaiming and revitalizing indigenous Hawaiian identity and rights despite internal divisions and strategic differences. Through a meticulous examination of historical events, legal battles such as Rice v. Cayetano, legislative initiatives like the Akaka Bill, and collaborative efforts within coalitions like the Hawaiian Coalition of Native Claims, this dissertation contributes significantly to the scholarly understanding of Hawaiian sovereignty issues, land dispossession, cultural erosion, and the enduring quest for autonomy and justice within the broader historical discourse of Hawaii. This dissertation undertakes a rigorous historical analysis to shed light on the intricate challenges surrounding the desecration of Native Hawaiian lands and culture, with a particular focus on the notable failures of the sovereignty movement juxtaposed against the remarkable success of cultural revitalization efforts.

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