Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2020 — The Justice Seeker [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Justice Seeker

By Kalani Akana, Ph.D. To read tliis article in 'ōlelo Hawai'i, please visit kawaiola.news Aliee Kamokilaikawai Campbell was a role model of a person seeking justice. Her mother, Abigail Kuaihelani Ma'ipinepine, was her role model. Her mother led Hui Aloha 'Āina o Nā Wahine, the group that collected the signatures of those opposing the annexation of Hawai'i to America. Kamokila Campbell opposed the entry of the Territory of Hawai'i into the United States of America. While the Big Five (Alexander and Baldwin, Castle and Cook, Amfac, C. Brewer, and Theo H. Davies) coveted statehood, she opposed it saying:

I do notfeel . . . we should forfeit the traditional rights and privileges of tlie natives of our islands for a mere thimbleful of votes in Congress, that we, the lovers of Hawaii from Iong association with it should sacrifice our birthright for the greed ofalien desires to remain on ourshores, that we should satisfy the thirst for power and control of some inflated industrialists and politicians who hide under the guise of

friends of Hawaii, yet still keeping an eagle eye on the financial and po!itica! pressure button of subjugation over the people in general of these islands. (17 Jan. 1946, 'Iolani Palaee) She spoke on behalf of her people as well as for those who feared the Big Five and losing their jobs and livelihood. Recently, the populaee has marched. The citizens of the United States of America and the world have protested the injustice of a system that to allows public servants to continually punish people of color. It was a demonstration that people want equality and justice under the law and policies of fair government. Voting is one path towards rectifying these injustices. Therefore, let us unite heaven and earth with your precious vote. ■ Kalani Akana, Ph.D., is the culture specialist at OHA. He is a kumu of hula, oli and 'ōlelo Hawai'i. He lias authored numerous articles on indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

Aliee Kamokilūikawai Campbell ■ Photo: Courtesy