Polynesian self-determination focus of UH Mānoa Hawaiian Studies symposium

Link to article: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/01/21/indigenous-constitutions-polynesian-independence-symposium/

WHO: UH Mānoa Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawai­ian Studies

WHAT: Hosting, ʻOnipaʻa: Polynesian Strategies for Political Self-Determination, three discussions on indigenous constitutions and United Nations paths to independence. Some of the leaders in Polynesian independence from New Zealand and Tahiti will share experiences on effective strategies. One of the featured speakers is Sen. Ariʻihau Tiiheiava of Tahiti who will report on his work with the UN Com­mittee on Decolonization of French Polynesia.  

 WHEN: Wednesday, January 22 at the UH Mānoa Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawai­ian Studies; Thursday, January 23 at Kaʻiwakiloumoku at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama; and Friday, January 24 at Hale Aʻo at Windward Community College. Events begin at 5 p.m. Lectures start at 7 p.m. Livestream will be available to view on: ʻŌiwi TV Live, the ʻŌiwi TV YouTube account or ʻŌiwi TV Facebook. 

WHY: Pressure continues to build within the Native Hawaiian community surrounding the protection of land and water. 

OTHER DETAILS:     

 The speakers include Moana Jackson, founder of Māori Legal Ser­vices in New Zealand, who wrote the first draft of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Auckland University Professor Margaret Mutu who has fought many land struggles and Sen. Ariʻihau Tiiheiava of Tahiti and the Tahitian Inde­pendence Party, who will report on his work with the UN Com­mittee on Decolonization of French Polynesia. UH participants include Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge Dean Jon Osorio and UH Mānoa Hawaiian Studies Associate Professor Kamana Beamer.

The symposium is presented by UH Mānoa Gladys Kamakakūokalani ʻAinoa Brandt Chair Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa, and Brandt Committee members Professors Maile Andrade, Kamana Beamer, Keahiahi Long, Noelani Puniwai and Tino Ramirez, and co-sponsored by the ʻAha Moananuiakea Pacific Consortium.

The Brandt Endowed Chair is part of the UH Mānoa Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, which is named after her. The lifelong Hawaiian educator was the first female principal in Hawaiʻi when it was still a U.S. Territory before serving as a principal at Kamehameha Schools, regent and chair of the UH Board of Regents and trustee at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. She also co-authored the essay Broken Trust that led to the reorganization of Bishop Estate, which is now Kamehameha Schools. Her estate established the endowed chair at UH to enhance research, attract students and scholars from throughout Polynesia, and encourage positive dialogue between academic disciplines, the university and the wider community.