Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 3, 1 March 2017 — Strangers in their own land [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Strangers in their own land

Submitted by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. Hawaiians "trace their ancestry to the 'āina (land), to the natural forces of the world, and to kalo (taro) the staple food of the Hawaiian people. All are related in a deep and profound way that infuses Hawaiian thought and is expressed in all facets of Hawaiian life." Native Hawaiian Law: A Treatise, p. 6. For centuries Hawaiians' understanding of 'āina provided a firm and embracing foundation for their identity and sense of plaee. Unfortunately, that foundation was deeply shaken with the introduction of the western concept of private property. In the transition, many Hawaiians quickly heeame strangers in their own land. Today, quiet title and partition actions continue to eat away at the foundation of the Hawaiian identity and sense of plaee by perpetuating the separation of Hawaiians from the 'āina. The fact that one today is unaware of his or her interest in and/or connection to ancestral lands is proof positive of this devastating reality. The Māhele was meant to preserve this foundation not destroy it. ■

Quiet title and partition actions continue to separate Hawaiians from the 'āina. - Photo: Kai Markell