‘Occupy Wall Street’ has been in operation since last September sparking a worldwide following in over 100 US cities and actions in 1500 countries, according to the New York City General Assembly ( 2012). Occupiers feel corporate injustice must be halted. According to the Occupy Wall Street Declaration of the Occupation of New York City, corporations possess a financial stronghold over democracy placing importance of wealth and power over the well-being of the American people.
Here are a few of the items Occupiers perceive as injustices:
· ‘They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage’
· ‘They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut healthcare and pay’
· ‘They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependant on oil’
The list is long and occurring all around the country. In Honolulu, the implications are somewhat identical except there is more. They also talk about invasion of space to peacefully hold demonstrations - more on that later. Also, many ‘Occupy Honolulu’ members and similar organizations bring forth truths about the illegal occupation of the State of Hawaii and the United States Government.
Christopher Keliiwaiho’ikeone Camarillo, an Information Technology Administrator, Lomi practitioner (Hawaiian Masseuse) and Guerrilla Marketer explained, ‘it is upsetting that 119 years of occupation has brainwashed many to thinking that Hawaii was ever a state. It floors me that even after the Apology Bill, a U.S. president was elected on the belief that he was born in a state'.
Evidently, not only are the people of Hawaii inconveniently recipients of corporate abuse under state laws, but abuse under an illegal occupation likewise. According to hawaiiankingdom.org (2012), Chairman of the Council of Regency for the Hawaiian Kingdom Government, Dr. Keanu Sai simplifies how the objective of the Hawaiian Kingdom is to expose the occupation under the framework of the 1907 Hague Conventions IV and V and the domestic statutes and to provide a foundation for transition and the expiry of the illegal occupation.
Under the political history section, the Hawaiian Kingdom was governed without any legal entanglements until 1838. In 1843, the Hawaiian Kingdom was recognized by the major nations of the world as ‘an independent nation’ and embarked into treaties with ‘over 90 legations consulates in multiple seaports and cities’.
The agendas of both ‘Occupy Honolulu’ also known as (De) Occupy Honolulu and organizations in support of the Kingdom of Hawaii are distinct. One addresses the issues concerning the people under ‘State of Hawaii’ laws and the United States, while the others address the issues concerning the illegal occupation and how they are protected from the United States under Kingdom and International law. However, the agendas are similar in that the people are affected by injustices brought on by corporate gain and political influence.
‘Occupiers’ have been holding protests around O’ahu since last November when representatives from around the world attended ‘APEC’ held at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and sparked an outbreak of demonstrations involving ‘Occupiers’ and similar organizations from around the State. Many Hawaiian professionals and celebrity who support the agenda attended the week-long event.
It would be a fair assessment to say like everywhere else, the American ‘Class system’ prevails and only a percentage of the people of Hawaii can ‘afford’ to fully understand the needs of current technology and economic growth by virtue of being financially comfortable to afford a lifestyle that is not affected by rising costs of living, being affected by social groups who dismiss the truth about the overthrow of the government emphasizing ‘current times’ and those not possessing the faith that necessary changes to right the wrongs will ever happen. Louis Galdeira, Travel Consultant out of Seattle, Washington, and former O’ahu resident said,
‘I believe the only place that should be ‘occupied’ is Hawaii. That one percent we talk about has occupied enough of the Islands, which in turn puts a huge burden on local people trying to live a lifestyle struggling to be in the middle class. The cost of living rises just as fast as the new transient population. One of the reasons why I feel crime and drug use is high. It’s a way to survive and cope with keeping up with ‘The Jones’, sad story’.
The Occupy movement has definitely gained renewed awareness for the Hawaiian Kingdom movement and even strengthened attention to the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy. January 16, 2012 marked the 119th anniversary which defined the beginning of the illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the United States of America.
Again, according to hawaiiankingdom.org (2012), it was President Cleveland who withdrew the illegal annexation and appointed James Blount to investigate the terms of the revolution and the overthrow.
The report concluded that the United States was directly responsible for the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom government. ‘The report details the culpability of the United States government in violating international laws and the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom, but the United States Government fails to follow through in its commitment to assist in reinstating the constitutional government of the Hawaiian Kingdom’.
As for 'Occupy', social media has been a big help in gaining public awareness of the injustices that have reached the hands of legislation. De-Occupy Hawaii is an open group on Facebook – their motto is, ‘From the occupied ʻāina of Hawaiʻi in solidarity with the peoples of occupied lands everywhere and Occupy Wall Street’.
There you can find more information on rallies protesting against injustices brought on by GMO farming, updates on Bills such as HB 2652 which was successfully ousted; a bill designed to end public access television, and Bill 54, which Camarillo explains is a ‘city rule against Kanawai Mamala Hoe - Law Of the Splintered Paddle, the first Kingdom Law created by King Kamehameha and is covered in the State Constitution, Article IX Section 10.
It goes on to allow HPD to seize private property in a broad way that also challenges U.S. Constitution Article IV (Unreasonable Search and Seizure). Furthermore the politicians and judges are party to these illegal activities’.
The Occupy movement continues at Thomas Square in Honolulu – the northwest corner on Beretania and Ward. Go out, ask questions and show your support for these awesome people who are willing to risk their reputations and lives in the name of righteousness.
Also visit http://www.hawaiiankingdom.org for more information on Hawaiian Kingdom Law.
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