🌺Hawaiian Studies Unit 11 – Hawaiian Renaissance: Cultural Revival

Historical Context

• The Hawaiian Renaissance emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s as a cultural and political movement
• Aimed to revitalize and celebrate Hawaiian culture, language, and identity after decades of suppression and marginalization
• Influenced by the civil rights movement and the broader global decolonization efforts of the time
• Responded to the negative impacts of U.S. annexation in 1898 and the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893
  • These events led to the loss of Hawaiian sovereignty and the suppression of Hawaiian language and cultural practices
• The renaissance sought to reclaim and reassert Hawaiian cultural identity and pride
• Coincided with the growing environmental movement and concerns over land rights and development in Hawaii
• Drew inspiration from other indigenous cultural revivals, such as the Maori Renaissance in New Zealand

Key Figures and Movements

• The Hawaiian Renaissance involved a diverse range of individuals, organizations, and grassroots movements
• George Helm and Kimo Mitchell were influential activists who fought for Hawaiian land rights and sovereignty
  • Helm and Mitchell were leaders of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, which opposed the U.S. Navy's use of Kahoolawe island for bombing practice
• The Polynesian Voyaging Society, founded by Herb Kawainui Kane, played a crucial role in reviving traditional Hawaiian navigation and voyaging practices
  • The society's double-hulled canoe, Hokulea, completed historic voyages using traditional wayfinding methods
• Haunani-Kay Trask, a professor and activist, was a prominent voice for Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination
• The Hawaiian language immersion schools, known as Punana Leo, were established to revive the Hawaiian language and provide education in a Hawaiian cultural context
• The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) was created in 1978 to advocate for Hawaiian interests and manage Hawaiian trust assets
• The Hawaiian Music Foundation and the Merrie Monarch Festival promoted the resurgence of Hawaiian music and hula

Cultural Practices Revived

• The Hawaiian Renaissance led to a resurgence of various traditional cultural practices
• Hula, the traditional Hawaiian dance, experienced a significant revival
  • The Merrie Monarch Festival, established in 1963, became a major showcase for hula and Hawaiian culture
  • Hula halau (schools) and competitions flourished, attracting participants from around the world
• Traditional Hawaiian music, including slack-key guitar and ukulele, gained renewed popularity
  • Musicians like Gabby Pahinui, Eddie Kamae, and the Sons of Hawaii played a key role in preserving and promoting Hawaiian music
• Hawaiian language immersion schools, such as Aha Punana Leo, were established to revive the Hawaiian language
  • These schools provided education entirely in Hawaiian, from preschool through high school
• Traditional Hawaiian navigation and voyaging practices were revived through the efforts of the Polynesian Voyaging Society
  • The construction and sailing of the Hokulea canoe using traditional methods inspired pride in Hawaiian maritime heritage
• Loi kalo (taro patches) and other traditional agricultural practices were restored and promoted
• Hawaiian martial arts, such as lua, experienced a resurgence of interest and practice

Language Resurgence

• The Hawaiian language, olelo Hawaii, was a central focus of the Hawaiian Renaissance
• Prior to the renaissance, the Hawaiian language had been suppressed and marginalized
  • The use of Hawaiian in schools was banned in 1896, leading to a rapid decline in the number of native speakers
• The renaissance sparked a renewed interest in learning and speaking Hawaiian
• Hawaiian language immersion schools, known as Punana Leo, were established in the 1980s
  • These schools provided education entirely in Hawaiian, from preschool through high school
  • The first Punana Leo school opened in Kekaha, Kauai, in 1984
• The University of Hawaii at Hilo and the University of Hawaii at Manoa established Hawaiian language degree programs
• The Hawaiian language became an official language of the state of Hawaii in 1978
• Hawaiian language immersion programs and the use of Hawaiian in public spaces and media have contributed to a growing number of Hawaiian speakers
  • As of 2016, there were an estimated 18,000 native Hawaiian speakers

Political Implications

• The Hawaiian Renaissance had significant political implications for Hawaii and the Hawaiian people
• The movement raised awareness of Hawaiian sovereignty and the ongoing impacts of U.S. colonization
  • Activists called for the restoration of Hawaiian self-determination and the return of Hawaiian lands
• The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) was established in 1978 to advocate for Hawaiian interests and manage Hawaiian trust assets
• The Hawaiian sovereignty movement gained momentum, with various groups advocating for independence or greater autonomy within the U.S.
  • The Hawaiian Kingdom Government and the Nation of Hawaii are examples of sovereignty groups that emerged during this time
• The Protect Kahoolawe Ohana successfully campaigned to stop the U.S. Navy's use of Kahoolawe island for bombing practice
  • In 1990, President George H.W. Bush ordered the cessation of military activities on Kahoolawe
• The Hawaiian Renaissance contributed to the passage of the Apology Resolution in 1993
  • This joint resolution of Congress acknowledged and apologized for the U.S. role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy
• The renaissance also led to increased efforts to protect Hawaiian cultural sites and sacred places, such as Mauna Kea and Haleakala

Artistic Expressions

• The Hawaiian Renaissance found powerful expression through various artistic mediums
• Hawaiian music experienced a significant revival and transformation
  • Musicians like Gabby Pahinui, Eddie Kamae, and the Sons of Hawaii helped to preserve and popularize traditional Hawaiian music
  • The Hawaiian Music Foundation was established to support and promote Hawaiian music and musicians
• Hula, the traditional Hawaiian dance, flourished during the renaissance
  • The Merrie Monarch Festival, established in 1963, became a major showcase for hula and Hawaiian culture
  • Hula halau (schools) and competitions attracted participants from around the world
• Hawaiian visual arts, including painting, sculpture, and printmaking, experienced a resurgence
  • Artists like Herb Kawainui Kane, Satoru Abe, and Rocky Jensen incorporated Hawaiian themes and motifs into their work
• Hawaiian literature and poetry gained new prominence and recognition
  • Poets like Dana Naone Hall and Imaikalani Kalahele explored themes of Hawaiian identity, history, and politics
• Hawaiian theater and performance art also thrived during the renaissance
  • The Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu focused on producing plays by and about Hawaiians
• The renaissance also saw a revival of traditional Hawaiian crafts, such as kapa (bark cloth) making and feather work

Impact on Modern Hawaii

• The Hawaiian Renaissance has had a lasting impact on modern Hawaiian society and culture
• Hawaiian language education has continued to grow and expand
  • As of 2016, there were over 3,000 students enrolled in Hawaiian language immersion programs across the state
  • The Hawaiian language is now used in a variety of public spaces, including government documents, street signs, and media
• Hawaiian cultural practices, such as hula and traditional navigation, have become more widely practiced and celebrated
  • The Merrie Monarch Festival continues to be a major cultural event, attracting thousands of participants and spectators each year
• The renaissance has contributed to a greater sense of Hawaiian pride and identity
  • More Hawaiians are embracing their cultural heritage and incorporating Hawaiian values and practices into their daily lives
• The political legacy of the renaissance continues to shape discussions around Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination
  • The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) remains a key advocate for Hawaiian interests and rights
• Hawaiian artists and musicians continue to draw inspiration from the renaissance and incorporate Hawaiian themes and language into their work
• The renaissance has also influenced Hawaii's tourism industry, with a greater emphasis on cultural tourism and the promotion of authentic Hawaiian experiences
• The renaissance has inspired other indigenous cultural revivals around the world, serving as a model for cultural preservation and revitalization

Challenges and Controversies

• Despite the many successes of the Hawaiian Renaissance, the movement has also faced challenges and controversies
• Some have criticized the renaissance for promoting a romanticized or essentialist view of Hawaiian culture
  • There are concerns that the focus on traditional practices and values may overlook the diversity and complexity of modern Hawaiian identities
• The Hawaiian sovereignty movement remains a contentious issue, with disagreements over the best path forward for Hawaiian self-determination
  • Some advocate for full independence, while others seek greater autonomy within the U.S. federal system
• There are ongoing disputes over the management and development of Hawaiian lands and resources
  • The proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea has sparked protests and debates over the balance between scientific research and cultural preservation
• The commercialization of Hawaiian culture, particularly in the tourism industry, has been a source of concern
  • Some worry that the commodification of Hawaiian culture may lead to the loss of authenticity and the exploitation of Hawaiian heritage
• There are also challenges in ensuring that the benefits of the renaissance are accessible to all Hawaiians
  • Issues of poverty, education, and health disparities continue to affect many Hawaiian communities
• The renaissance has sometimes been criticized for its emphasis on Native Hawaiian identity and rights
  • Some argue that this focus may exclude or marginalize other ethnic groups in Hawaii's diverse society
• Despite these challenges and controversies, the Hawaiian Renaissance remains a powerful and transformative movement that has had a lasting impact on Hawaiian culture, politics, and society