Given that we are approaching Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, we need to learn to balance the need to compete in Western/European sense for resources of land, home, and career with our Native values and identities, to protect the future of our Lāhui. We can accomplish this through unity and equality. Modern challenges and struggles we face are unlike any other. On many occasions, they have turned society against each other, inciting dangerous conflicts. Tensions across the world continue to escalate because of the impact of these global issues. However, through unity and equality, we can address these problems on a multilateral scale. As a united front, our Native people, in particular, have the power to become a formidable force. People of color and ethnic minorities, like Native Hawaiians, have experienced first-hand the devastating effects of modernization. By using our struggles to uplift and empower other marginalized communities, we can collectively collaborate, cooperate, and communicate. Some people have already begun to adopt unity as a tool, as displayed in Protect Mauna Kea, the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, and many more. Secondly, we need to promote equality. Unity is merely a group of people without equality. Unity establishes alliances, while equality creates connections. In our modern-day society, we continue to face inequality, class stratification, and social dichotomies, even if our political leaders are too ignorant to recognize it. Therefore, we need to combat these injustices through equality. Equality promotes a fair society, where rights and opportunities are respected. A great example of the integration of unity and equality can be seen in the Black Lives Matter movement, a fight for freedom, liberation, and justice. Not only can unity and equality create balance, but they can also protect us in this modern globalized world. Additionally, I can use the gift and privilege of my education at Kamehameha to ensure that the native identities of our Lāhui and other people of color remain steadfast in the 21st-century through leadership and action. As Kamehameha students, we are taught to be leaders in our communities. We are provided with opportunities to engage with community members, and address problems our people are facing. We are also taught to recognize and be aware of the situations in our environment and society. Through my education and privilege, I can become a leader for our Lāhui and future generations of Native Hawaiians. Our people, and other colored populations, need to take a stand against the oppression we are experiencing in our modernized world. Therefore, I will be able to lead our people in these modern revolutions and inspire other young Hawaiians to use their voices. Secondly, I can use my privilege and education to take action. In order for change to occur, we need to create it. By taking action in my community, I will be able to incite and encourage beneficial change. Whether this is through Kapua Aloha and peaceful protests or civil disobedience, the actions I take have the power and ability to impact many others. Akana, H. (2020, July 08). Facing the Impacts of Empirical Globalization in the 21st Century. Lecture presented at Kamehameha Kapālama Summer School 2020. Retrieved July 08, 2020, from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/160gaH0AUNcrgJu_XvLCEzv9KhxuSInRdilPk94292Ng/edit#slide=id.p
Black Lives Matter. (2019). About. Retrieved from Black Lives Matter website: https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/ Kealoha, D. (2020). Google Docs - create and edit documents online, for free. Retrieved July 9, 2020, from accounts.google.com website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1luTkAYoTftM7SsQNqF4S7ujLm0cm98fDjsCBUoPbG_o/edit La Hoihoi Ea. (n.d.). HISTORY – La Hoihoi Ea. Retrieved July 9, 2020, from La Hoihoi Ea website: http://lahoihoiea.org/history/ Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. (n.d.). Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana. Retrieved July 9, 2020, from Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana website: http://www.protectkahoolaweohana.org/index.html Protect Mauna Kea. (2019). Protocols for Kapu Aloha | protect-mauna-kea. Retrieved from protect-mauna-kea website: https://www.protectmaunakea.net/protocols-for-kapu-aloha Kapālama Kamehameha Schools. (n.d.). Kapālama. Retrieved July 9, 2020, from www.ksbe.edu website: https://www.ksbe.edu/education/kapalama/ Staff, H. N. N. (2019). TMT protesters brace for possibility of more law enforcement action. Retrieved July 9, 2020, from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com website: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/07/17/new-victory-protesters-police-back-away-mauna-kea-second-straight-day/
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