Hawaiians Protest Navy Research Plans

[chlamor]

Hawaiians Protest Navy Research Plans


Tuesday May 3, 2005 4:16 PM

By RON STATON

Associated Press Writer

HONOLULU (AP) - The seven Hawaii state flags outside the University of Hawaii administration building are flying upside down in a symbol of distress. But the flags raised on temporary poles outside Bachman Hall only hint at the frustration some students, faculty and community members feel about plans for a proposed Navy research center on campus.

Protesters have occupied the office of the university's interim President David McClain and delivered new demands on Monday, asking him to take immediate action that would stall or stop the project.

Citing Native Hawaiian concerns, protesters say the proposed University Affiliated Research Center, which would be the Navy's fifth on a U.S. college campus and the first in 58 years, would further militarize a state that is home to several military bases, including the Navy's Pearl Harbor and headquarters for the U.S. military's Pacific Command.

``They forget that living in harmony with the land is one of the most important tenets of the Hawaiian culture,'' said Lilikala Kameeleihiwa, a professor and former director of the university's Center for Hawaiian Studies. ``Many bad things have been done to our lands by the military.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4979519,00.html

[dArKeR]

1. Thanks UK for news about our home!

[Chicken George]

2. Hawaiians need to take a long, hard look at Vieques Puerto Rico

to see the US Navy's legacy there. Hope a firing range is not in their future as well.

[KamaAina]

6. It's in our past: the island of Kaho'olawe.

Hope a firing range is not in their future as well.

One of the eight major Hawaiian islands, Kaho'olawe (ka-hoe-oh-LAH-vay), was used as a Navy bombing range for decades. Yes, the entire island (45 sq. mi.). It's just off Maui and is visible from Lahaina, Kihei, Wailea etc.

Only now, after years of cleanup, are Native Hawaiians granted even limited access to the island.

http://www.kahoolawe.org/

Meanwhile the all-new Stryker Brigade will soon be tearing up the 'aina (land) on crowded O'ahu: yes, the same Strykers that are failing in Iraq because they aren't heavily armored enough...

[newyawker99]

7. Hi Chicken George!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[goodhue]

3. same AP story in NYT . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Defense-Research-Protest.html?

[keopeli]

4. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin has been covering this for days

A sit-in went on all weekend in the President's office.

Hawaiians are progressive people and they know the legacy of the military. They are very proud of the US military and, at the same time, they know their limits.

The shame is that the MSM has not covered this story. Instead, it's some runaway bride in Georgia.

[goodhue]

5. Protesters issue 4 demands

http://starbulletin.com/2005/05/03/news/index.html

Protesters issue 4 demands

A sit-in continues at UH over a proposed Navy research site

Protesters were expected to reach their sixth day of occupation of Bachman Hall today as they oppose plans to establish a military-affiliated research center at the University of Hawaii.

"What we're dealing here with the UARC (University Affiliated Research Center) is not standard military research," said Ikaika Hussey, a member of the Save UH/Stop the UARC Coalition, yesterday.

"There's no moral ambiguity when it comes to UARC because we know that the research will be done for the military. The military have a very clear, stated goal which is very different than the goal of academia," Hussey added.

More than 35 protesters held a news conference in UH interim President David McClain's office at Bachman Hall yesterday to announce their new four-point proposal relating to the University Affiliated Research Center.

* * *

[goodhue]

8. kick

eom

[struggle4progress]

10. kick

[Lexingtonian]

9. good move

The whole American portion of Hawai'ian history is about military use and occupation, a really militarized colonial episode until recently, according to the likes of Joan Didion and James Jones ('From Here to Eternity').

Well, the colonial era and its aftermath wars will come to an end eventually. I hope the wind-down in Hawai'i does begin, this thing would be a good start.

[keopeli]

11. kick

[goodhue]

12. Wed kick

[yorkiemommie1]

13. as a witness to the 1968 UH sit-in

I salute you and send positive vibes your way! Aloha!

[dArKeR]

14. Waimea Falls "Park". Which actually is sacred Hawaiian land but given to

haoli business people to take and make a park and charge all Hawaiians entry fees. Waimea Valley was the craddle of civilization on the island of Oahu.