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Native Hawaiians Move Toward Independence
... Date Set for Constitutional Convention WAIMANALO, Hawaii, June 23, 2008 -- Dennis Kanahele, a Native Hawaiian and a leader in the Hawaiian Independence movement, announced today that a Constitutional Convention will be held on September 2nd and 3rd at a location in the Hawaiian Islands which has been determined and will be announced at a later date. "We have established an informational website at http://www.hawaiianindependence.com and are actively seeking contributions on a worldwide basis to help cover the expenses of the Constitutional Convention and the elections which will occur shortly after a Constitution has been adopted." The Constitutional Convention has been convened In response to petitions signed by thousands of Native Hawaiians. Mr. Kanahele stated, "We will adopt a new Constitution to replace our original Constitution which was in place in 1893 when the United States armed forces invaded our country and overthrew our democratic government." Mr. Kanahele noted that, "The Constitutional Convention will set the date of the vote by Native Hawaiians to approve the new Constitution and for the simultaneous general elections to elect a Legislature and a President and Vice President." Mr. Kanahele further stated that, "Once our new government is in place we will enter into negotiations with the United States to end our status as a colonial possession of the United States and to end over 100 years of the political, economic and cultural suppression of our people. We look forward to a peaceful and just resolution with the United States, to becoming a member of the United Nations and to renewing our participation as a member of the international community of nations." Further information, and a draft of the proposed Constitution, are available on the Internet at http://www.hawaiianindependence.com. |