I meant to post this in December. It’s from Simba Russeau’s blog, Witnessing Life.

Simba’s a remarkably talented producer, journalist and photographer. She produced many of the stories I filed with Free Speech Radio News back when I was reporting on Hawaiian resistance.

The article is about how the Nature Conservancy and African Wildlife Foundation partnered up to buy Samburu land, then violently evicted the Samburu from the land and then gifted the land to the Kenyan government. Here’s the link: http://www.simbarusseau.com/kenya-indigenous-samburu-land/

This type of story is really important to track because so much of what goes on with indigenous peoples, with Hawaiians, is via the non-profit industrial complex or the NGO industrial complex. And so many of these organizations have agendas that are not in the best interests of the people of the land.

Jay Smooth has a powerful, honest and thoughtful take on the OWS protests.  It’s been great to be in Northern California during these weeks because I’ve witnessed diverse, passionate and determined activism. The only other Hawaiian I encountered here is Kealoha Blake in Berkeley and he’s quite an inspiration.  He brings such aloha to his work with these activists…  it’s easy to get a contact high off people like these OWS folks!  When I saw this YouTube post I thought it captured a lot of what I’ve seen and felt here in Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco.  If only Us Guyz in Hawaii Nei would get our minds around self determination… oh my brudahz and sistaz, how so much of this world we inhabit would stand with us in solidarity!

Anywayz, this is a nice piece.  Have a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zkQcLi4Yo&feature=player_embedded

Mahalo nui to the UC Berkeley’s Department of History for sponsoring the screening and to Lauren Hirshberg who organized this very last minute, but well attended event.  The Q&A was excellent and the students and community members who attended asked tough, but important questions and gave equally important and insightful comments about the political and cultural matters the film addresses.

Mahalo nui to the Berkeley Video & Film Festival for awarding “Noho Hewa” in the documentary category.  This is a gem of a local fest and they go out of their way to make sure independent film has a venue in their community.  Truly appreciated the experience.  Also at the festival screening and as part of the talk-story afterward, was an inspiring African-American scholar and all around prolific author, Gerald Horne.  He has written about 20 books, one of which is about the Pacific– “The White Pacific — U.S. Imperialism and Black Slavery in the South Seas after the Civil War”.

Big aloha and mahalo to Ku Ching for twisting my arm about this festival, and to Amy Marsh who made sure festival organizers received a copy of the film for consideration.  If it had been left up to me none of this would have happened.

Also, mahalo nui to Tia Ballantine who hosted part of my stay.  During my time here 3 young black men were gunned down within a few blocks of her home and 2 of them died.  The federal government is considering taking control of the Oakland PD.    Anywayz, Tia’s blog about Oakland is part reportage, part homage– […]

Mahalo nui to the Guam International Film Festival for a special screening of “Noho Hewa” on October 2nd.  The film was represented during the Q&A that followed the screening by local activists and advocates for their homeland.  Here is an excerpt from an email they sent to me after the event:

Hafa Adai Keala:

“Words cannot fully express the feeling that resonated within us with your message. We are very thankful for the opportunity we have had to represent for Noho Hewa here on island. What a completely different experience to see the film on big screen! It is unfortunate that there was not much time allotted for after-film discussion, and we were bound by a 10-minute time constraint. We are hoping to get the film screened here in other venues….”

Guinaiya-ta
i famalao’an gi tano’-ta (the women of our land)

Also, mahalo to Tina DeLisle and Vince Diaz at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, for their thoughtful support and for hooking me up with the courageous women of Guam.  This was the first time the film was shown at a festival with only local representation.

Guam Legislation Would Support Indigenous Rights, Oppose Military Build-up

Vice Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz introduced Resolution 420-30 (LS) to support the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The new Oiwi Journal is available now!  Go to www.hawaii.edu/oiwi/ for information.  My essay, “The Virtual Hawaiian,” is included, along with the work of about sixty other Hawaiian artists, writers and poets.  The theme of volume 4 is sovereignty.

Esther Figueroa, Producer/Director of Jamaica For Sale (jamaicaforsale.net), has an important short film on YouTube about a new Falmouth cruise ship development in Jamaica.  Owned by Royal Caribbean, paid for by the heavily indebted Jamaican government (it’s like the Super Ferry debacle times a thousand), the project is death for the environment and small businesses.  Why is it that wherever the tropical paradise fantasy of tourists is accommodated, the land and sea is decimated and the people who depend on that land and sea for survival are being erased?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGYWI7Iy5Pc

Amnesty International is calling on President Obama to reverse the U.S. position on this very important declaration.  Please click on the link and show your support.

Mahalo nui!

Urge the President to endorse the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples now!