Aloha Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea: Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day

The diagram above is an adaptation from Dr. Rupa Marya's graphic, shared to her Instagram Account on November 3, 2023, which focuses on Colonization's effects, specifically regarding Inflammation. Dr. Rupa Maryaʻs graphic conceptualizes important issues and connections she makes in her book, Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice, also co-authored by Raj Matel. Here in this diagram, I have altered the text to be specific to Colonization in Hawaiʻi.

Introduction:

As a Native Hawaiian mental health therapist, I believe in the power of our stories, our resilience, and our journey toward healing. Today, I want to speak directly to us, the Lāhui Hawaiʻi, about the profound impacts of colonization on our well-being, our sense of Ea (sovereignty), and the path to healing from intergenerational trauma.

Understanding Colonization and Its Legacy:

Colonization reshaped our islands, our culture, and our identity. For generations, our ancestors lived in harmony with our land and each other, embodying a deep connection to our traditions and values. However, foreign powers disrupted this harmony, imposing their systems, laws, and beliefs upon us. The loss of our sovereignty—the right to govern ourselves—left wounds that continue to affect us today.

Arrival of Captain Cook: This event marks the beginning of Western influence in Hawai'i. The arrival introduced new elements and ideologies that significantly altered the indigenous way of life.

Western Influence: Western influence led to several cultural, social, and economic changes, impacting the traditional Hawaiian society.

Mahele: The Mahele (land division) was a pivotal event where land ownership was restructured, leading to a "resource grab." This allowed Westerners and corporations to acquire large portions of land, drastically altering land use and ownership patterns.

Committee of Safety/Hawai'i Becoming a "State": The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by the Committee of Safety, a group of American businessmen and residents, led to Hawai'i's eventual annexation as a U.S. state. This event symbolized the loss of political sovereignty and further cultural suppression.

Slavery, Sugar, and Pineapple Plantations: The Mahele facilitated the establishment of plantations, which relied heavily on enslaved labor. This system exploited workers and contributed to the economic and social disenfranchisement of Native Hawaiians.

Near Genocide (Disease/STDs): The introduction of diseases by Westerners resulted in a near-genocidal impact on the Native Hawaiian population, who had no immunity to these new illnesses. This population decline weakened the community and disrupted traditional practices.

Male Supremacy aka Patriarchy: Western patriarchy clashed with traditional Hawaiian social structures, which often valued gender balance and matrilineal descent. This shift contributed to gender-based inequalities and the marginalization of Hawaiian women.

"Invisible Labor": The term "invisible labor" refers to the exploitation of Native Hawaiian women who were often underpaid and overworked on plantations and other enterprises

Femicide/Domestic Violence/Child Abuse: The combined effects of social, economic, and cultural disruption have contributed to increased rates of domestic violence, child abuse, and femicide within the Native Hawaiian community.

Tourism/Cultural Suppression: The development of the tourism industry commodified Hawaiian culture, leading to its distortion and suppression. The focus on tourism prioritized Western perceptions and narratives, often sidelining authentic Hawaiian traditions.

Non-Ahupua'a Oriented Development: Western land management practices ignored the traditional ahupua'a system, a sustainable way of managing land and resources. This led to environmental degradation, including stream diversions, deforestation, mono-crop agriculture, and overfishing.

Mental Illness + Trauma: The collective trauma from all of the factors above, namely exploitation, loss of land and community, and cultural suppression contributed to widespread mental health issues among Native Hawaiians that continue till today; depression, anxiety, suicide, addiction, substance abuse, violence, neglect and other challenges.

Physical Illness: The conditions and stresses of said mental illness and trauma also manifests as various physical illnesses within the community; obesity, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, kidney and liver disease, cancer, and greater vulnerability to other infectious diseases.

The graphic above highlights the interconnectedness of historical events and their lasting impacts on Native Hawaiian society, illustrating a pattern of exploitation, cultural suppression, and trauma that continues to affect the community today.

The Concept of Ea (Sovereignty):

Ea, or sovereignty, is not just a political concept but a deeply spiritual and cultural one for us. It encompasses our right to self-determination, to live according to our own values and traditions, and to steward our land with wisdom and care. Colonization stripped us of this inherent right, leaving us to navigate a world where our voices are often silenced or ignored.

Reclaiming Ea means reclaiming our mindset, attitudes, beliefs, identity, our cultural ways of living and related, and our agency. It means recognizing the strengths within our community and advocating for our rights as Kanaka Maoli. Healing begins when we affirm our Ea—when we honor our ancestors' struggles and resilience in the face of adversity.

Trauma and Healing:

The impact of colonization on our mental health cannot be overstated. Generations of trauma have been passed down through our families—a legacy of loss, displacement, and cultural erasure. This trauma manifests in various ways: from substance abuse and domestic violence to depression and anxiety.

As a therapist, I see the importance of addressing this trauma with compassion and cultural sensitivity. Healing involves reconnecting with our cultural roots by strengthening pilina with each other, with ʻāina (land) and Akua (spirituality). Itʻs reclaiming cultural ways of living that organically nurture our well-being and holistic health. It means creating spaces where we can openly discuss our pain and support one another in our journeys toward reclaiming our peace, joy, and wellbeing.

Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.