On the 116th anniversary of the U.S. invasion and overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, thousands of Kanaka Maoli and allies marched through Waikiki and held a rally to protest the continuing U.S. occupation and to resist the state’s attempts to sell the stolen Crown and Government lands of the Hawaiian Kingdom. From From Top to Bottom: Top: Hawaiian independence was an overriding demand. Second: Blowing the pu to begin the march. Third: Many threw their rubber slippers at the giant puppet of Gov. Lingle in homage to the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush to protest the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Fourth and fifth: The DMZ-Hawai’i / Aloha ‘Aina delegation. Photos by Kehau Watson.
There were also protests in Hilo and Kaua’i.
Here’s an article from the Honolulu Star Bulletin about the march in Waikiki:
www.starbulletin.com
Thousands march through Waikiki over ceded lands dispute
Organizers estimated the crowd at 10,000 people
By Gene Park
POSTED: 03:09 p.m. HST, Jan 17, 2009
Thousands of native Hawaiians and residents marched through Waikiki today against the state government’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a ruling that bars the sale or transfer of ceded lands.
The march coincided with the Jan. 17, 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and ceremonies marking the anniversary.
Police closed down Kalakaua Ave. for the protest march.
The state Supreme Court last January ruled last January that the state may not sell or exchange ceded lands until outstandng Hawaiian claims are addressed. Gov. Linda Lingle’s administration appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The nation’s highest court is due to hear the arguments Feb. 25.
Earlier this week, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs proposed land swaps to settle a dispute over income from former Hawaiian kingdom lands. But the proposed land swap will not address future claims.
OHA and state lawmakers are also working on legislation to block the state from selling or exchanging ceded lands until the native Hawaiian claims are resolved.
Thousands of native Hawaiians and residents marched through Waikiki today against the state government’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a ruling that bars the sale or transfer of ceded lands.
The march coincided with the Jan. 17, 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and ceremonies marking the anniversary.
Police closed down Kalakaua Ave. for the protest march.
The state Supreme Court last January ruled last January that the state may not sell or exchange ceded lands until outstandng Hawaiian claims are addressed. Gov. Linda Lingle’s administration appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The nation’s highest court is due to hear the arguments Feb. 25.
Earlier this week, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs proposed land swaps to settle a dispute over income from former Hawaiian kingdom lands. But the proposed land swap will not address future claims.
OHA and state lawmakers are also working on legislation to block the state from selling or exchanging ceded lands until the native Hawaiian claims are resolved.