Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawaii (Revised Edition)
March 29, 1993
In this impassioned and provocative collection of 17 essays, Trask, a well-known activist, argues the case of indigenous Hawaiians, persons of Polynesian descent, who have been overwhelmed by the dominant culture. She puts the native Hawaiian experience in its historical context as one of colonialism, initiated by military invasion and sustained through military and economic occupation and oppression. She also touches on the environmental devastation wrought by development on a beautiful and fragile ecosystem, and on the ``cultural prostitution'' that occurs when native traditions become mere local color for swarms of tourists. Trask examines the claims of Hawaiians to human rights and self-determination before international tribunals. This issue is given a larger frame of reference by a similar discussion of other Pacific island nations. The author convincingly documents continued racism directed at Hawaii's native inhabitants, including at the University of Hawaii where she teaches Hawaiian studies. Uncompromising yet never shrill, this volume is a welcome addition to the growing body of literature on indigenism, the movement for the rights of native people around the world.