PROCLAMATION OF RESTORATION OF THE
INDEPENDENCE OF THE SOVEREIGN NATION
STATE OF HAWAI`I
January 16, 1994
`Iolani Palace
Honolulu, O`ahu, Hawai`i
[Official English Version]
Today, We, the Kanaka Maoli, proclaim our Right of self-determination as a People in accordance
with Article 1 (2) of the United Nations Charter, and join the World Community of States as an
Independent and Sovereign Nation. We hereby reestablish our Independent and Sovereign Nation
of Hawai`i, that was illegally taken from the Kanaka Maoli on January 17, 1893.
By virtue of our Right to self-determination, the Kanaka Maoli claim this Right to freely determine
our political status and freely pursue our economic, social and cultural development in accordance
with common Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil, and Political Rights and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, claim our Right for our own ends, to freely control and dispose of our
natural wealth and resources, including our lands and our waters, without prejudice to any
obligations arising out of international economic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual
benefit and international law.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, claim all our Land, Natural Wealth, Resources, Minerals, and Waters,
which have always resided and will always reside within the hands of the Kanaka Maoli, to be ours
forever, originally under communal land tenure.
Ka Pae `Aina O Hawai`i (the Hawaiian Archipelago) comprises 132 islands, reefs and shoals,
stretching 1,523 miles (2,451 kilometers) southeast to northwest across the Tropic of Cancer
between 154 40' to 178 25' W longitude and 18 54' to 28 15' N latitude, consisting approximately
of a total land area of 6,425 square miles (16,642 square kilometers), including 1 percent of less
than six square miles of land area made up of islands off the shores of the main islands and the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from Kure Atoll in the North to Nihoa in the South, also Palmyra
Island, Midway and Wake Islands, and all Lands that have resided with the Kanaka Maoli since
time immemorial. The Hawaiian Islands form an Archipelago, which extends over a vast area of the
Pacific Ocean, possessing a 12 mile Territorial Sea, and the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone, in
accordance with generally recognized Standards of International Law.
In the Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i lives the Kanaka Maoli. We have resided here
forever, from time immemorial. We have displaced no other people. We, the Kanaka Maoli, are the
original inhabitants and occupants of these Islands. We have always been in possession of our Land
and are entitled to re-establish our Independent and Sovereign Nation.
The current citizens of the Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i consist of all those who
are descendants of the Kanaka Maoli prior to the arrival of the first westerners in 1778, and those
persons, and their descendants who have lived in Hawai`i prior to the illegal overthrow, invasion and
occupation of January 17, 1893, in the area which now constitutes the Archipelago of the
Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i.
The Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i will establish procedures for according
citizenship by means of naturalization to all people who are habitual residents of Hawai`i as of
today's date.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, fully support and subscribe to all of the Rights of the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights for all of the people living in our Independent and Sovereign Nation of
Hawai`i, and hereby adopt these protocols on behalf of the citizens of the Independent and
Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i.
The Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i adheres to the generally recognized principles of
International Law, including the terms of the United Nations Charter. We will apply for membership
in the United Nations Organization. We will conclude other international treaties and agreements at
the appropriate time. In the meantime, we call upon the foreign military occupation forces in the
Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i to withdraw from our Sovereign Territory
immediately.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, have maintained our close relationship to the `aina (land) and its natural
surroundings, through practices spiritual and wholistic in nature and in harmony with natural law. The
`aina is sacred to us. It sustains us.
Prior to the first European invasion of 1778, Hawai`i was known to have an unique culture and
system of government. Through customs and traditional practices, the Kupuna (Elders), were highly
regarded and respected as the Keepers of Wisdom and Knowledge, in a highly organized
self-sufficient and sustainable social system, based on a communal land tenure system. The Kupuna
were always consulted to maintain order and ho`oponopono.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, today embody within our governmental structure traditional customs and
culture of the `Aha Kuka O Na Kupuna (Council of Elders), based on mutual respect, traditional
practice, and family order. Their consultation on many decisions is highly regarded as the basis of all
authority and principle, as handed down through generations of teachings. The Kanaka Maoli's
natural ability and practice of Natural Law, commonly known and exercised, due to our deep
spiritual connection to nature, and by the use, application and practice of the Laws of Nature, then
as now. We, the Kanaka Maoli, believe that all things have life, be they animate or inanimate, as
everything has been derived and created from one Source, the Creator.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, respectfully continue to seek the guidance and consultation of our Kupuna,
be it Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Socially or Politically, in consultation and decisions that affect
our lives, to restore and protect the customs and teachings of our culture, language and knowledge
from being exploited, desecrated and driven to eventual extinction. For all these reasons, the
Kupuna Council will serve as the Provisional Government of the Independent and Sovereign Nation
of Hawai`i, to provide measures of development, until such time when the Kanaka Maoli will
convene a Constitutional Convention.
Despite the historical injustices and abuse that have documented a dark chapter in the lives of the
Kanaka Maoli, so unimaginable to the conscience of humanity and to all human life as a whole, we
have come to realize that in the course of these modern times, we could never depart or separate
our undying love, our connection, or our sacred ties from the Spirit of this Land, Aloha `Aina, which
is the heart and life of all living things, as taught and handed down from the ancient wise ones
(Kupuna). We must protect our sacred `aina from such invasion and exploitation, to liberate it from
alien destructive forces, and preserve and protect our Cultural Heritage for future generations, from
the devastation of extinction.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, have continued to exercise, practice and occupy our lands, despite the
continued subjection, domination and exploitation by the forces of the occupying foreign powers,
denying us our inalienable rights to self-determination, Independence and Sovereignty. Thus have
well recognized principles of International Law been violated. Thus were our national identity, land,
resources, Right to Sovereignty over our Territory violated, and a peaceful people overthrown by
the invasion of foreign powers, who continue to occupy, exploit and destroy our way of life.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, have united at this very historic and symbolic place, the `Iolani Palace,
wherein we remember the last days and tragic moments in our history, that have affected the safety
and well-being of our people, to which our beloved Kupuna and Queen Liliuokalani and her
commitment to restore the rights of our people, have been stolen. Her dedicated endurance against
foreign powers who committed such acts of aggression and force, threats of fear and imprisonment,
knowingly in violation of numerous treaties, agreements and principles of international customs and
law, has never faltered, for the Love of her people, and those who stood on truth and justice, and
shall prevail here, now and forever.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, here today in flesh and in Spirit, share that same commitment. It is the duty
and obligation of every Kanaka Maoli, young and old, to stand ready to restore and defend our
national rights, territorial integrity and independence, without prejudice, and reject and resist
unlawful acts, injustice and complicity, violence and terrorism, against our political independence,
and do summarily reject such use of violence and force against the territorial integrity of other
peaceful states.
If not for those who have continued the struggle for peace, justice and honor, our beloved who have
passed in this life and continue standing in spirit beside us here today.
If not for those who have sacrificed their families and lives, who have desired to go to prison rather
than be forced to adhere to unjust principles and acts, and who have gone through the crossroads of
temptation.
If not for those of us who have awaited this day, who have considered the facts and evidence of
such acts of oppression, subjugation and fear, and the loss of their honor, dignity, pride and esteem.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, have historically been the victims of crimes against humanity and genocide,
as defined by the Nuremberg Charter and Genocide Convention.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, have the duty to heal our wounds and restore our integrity, for many have
given their lives for us to be here today, that all Kanaka Maoli can once again determine to protect
the future destiny of our children, our children's children and their heritage.
The Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i proclaims its commitment to the purposes and
principles of the United Nations Charter. The Kanaka Maoli have long been recognized as a
peaceful, loving Nation, choosing to live in peaceful co-existence with other peaceful Nation States,
based on liberty, equality, truth and justice, and for the respect of our undying Spirit of Aloha as
well as for the Inalienable Rights of Humanity.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, proclaim that despite continued interference of our rights to
self-determination, Rights of Sovereignty and Right of Independence by the foreign occupying
powers, we stand this day, in all honor, dignity and respect for this Sacred Land, to restore our
Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, pledge that our commitment will continue, until the illegal occupation ends,
the revival of the culture of our Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i has been fortified, the
Aloha Spirit is once again fully restored, and the Spirit of Justice, Freedom and Liberation shall once
again bring Peace on Earth for all Humanity.
We call upon our Kanaka Maoli people, and upon all Nations of the World, to unite and act this
day, to declare and proclaim our Inalienable Sovereignty of the Nation State of Hawai`i, fully
restored and functional, and to arise in the uniting of freedom and dignity in our homeland, which is
the homeland of the Kanaka Maoli, now and forever.
Therefore, the Kupuna, in General Council Assembled, by the Authority recognized and vested in
the Aha Kuka O Ka Ohana, in the name of the Kanaka Maoli people, to preserve and to
forevermore cultivate the Heritage and Culture of the Kanaka Maoli, do solemnly publish, declare
and proclaim that the Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawai`i, is free and absolved from any
other political connection with any other Nation State. Those who disregard the Principles and Rule
of the Law of Nations, Justice, Integrity, Morality of Character, and Humanity, by force and acts of
aggression, now illegally occupy our Territory.
We, the Kanaka Maoli, have therefore concluded that the facts are self-evident, that to continue
under any colonial regime would cause the destruction and extinction of our Culture and People.
We affirm our commitment to the protection of our Divine Heritage. We, the Kanaka Maoli,
mutually agree and pledge Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor, in the Spirit of Aloha.
Done this sixteenth day of January, nineteen hundred and ninety-four.