Hawai'i's history since Captain Cook is marked by the assault on the Islands' indigenous culture and people by missionaries, soldiers, traders, and businessmen. In 1893, U.S. troops aided American businessmen in forcibly overthrowing the legitimate government of Queen Lili'uokalani, The national landbase and sovereignty of na kanaka maoli were taken. Since illegal annexation in 1898, the Federal and State governments have cheated and neglected the native Hawaiian people. In 1993, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Clinton signed into law, the "Apology Bill." (U.S. Public Law 103-150) This admission of crime states in part "the native Hawaiians have never lost their inherent sovereignty nor their national home base." Greens demand justice for na kanaka maoli. We support the following:
- Protecting sacred and culturally significant sites
- Efforts to nurture native Hawaiian culture
- Na kanaka maoli leadership and guardianship in protecting gathering rights and lobbying the Legislature to safeguard these rights without interference
- Return of, or adequate compensation for, Ceded Lands
- Immediate distribution of Hawaiian Homelands; Federal and State funds to be allocated for needed infrastructure
- A prohibition on future sale or diminishments of the Ceded Land Trust
- A call for open dialogue among all residents of Hawai'i on the sovereignty option of full independence
Hawaiian sovereignty in a form fair to both native Hawaiians and other citizens of Hawai'i.