Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and Alexis by Kamalani Hanuna-Siqueira
For my leaders I chose Israel and Alexis. Israel was a hawaiian musician from Kaimuki (his background) and gained worldwide fame from his album Facing Future in 1993. Alexis was a russian tsar that ruled Moscow. His background is the Russian Orthodox Church, after death his people put him to rest and celebrated him here. He was known for being the quietest one out of his family. Israelʻs quote is "Ive seen itall, done it all, known it all", behind his picture is his statue located on the island of Oʻahu in Waiʻanae. Behind Alexis is a portrait of the Poland and Sweden vs Russia war. He was reigning during this time and was able to lead his country through rough times. He also created a set of rules, the Sobornoye Ulozheniye. Their common traits are Kuleana, Aloha, and Kaulana. I chose Kuleana because they both reshaped their economy. Israel reshaped his economy by spreading the native tongue through his music. Alexis reshaped his country economically and politically. As a leader, he listened to his people and also took heavy part in western trade which gave them more resources. I chose Aloha because they are both known as kind and warm-hearted people. Israel spread positivity through his songs. For example, what a wonderful world is a very happy song. Alexis was known to be very warm-hearted with his people and they were devastated when he passed. Kaulana means famous or popular. I chose this trait because of the way they used their popularity and platform. Alexis was very popular in his time because of his great achievements. He did anything for his people. For example, his brother in law was a threat to the country and the people were scared of his temper so he exiled him. Israel is one of the most famous hawaiian singers to ever live. He had a wide platform and used it to advocate for the hawaiian culture. When he wasnʻt making music, he was spreading aloha towards others.
Maiden. (n.d.). RUSSIAN DOLLS (Matryoshka). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://maiden.bigcartel.com/product/russian-doll-matryoshka
What does the Russian flag mean. (2020, March 12). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.youngpioneertours.com/russian-flag-meaning/
Russia - United States Department of State. (2020, April 02). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/russia/
Massey, M. (2017, September 16). Russian Sacred Art: Connecting Heaven and Earth – Opening Reception. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://tmora.org/event/russian-sacred-art-connecting-heaven-and-earth-opening-reception/
The Moscow Times. (2020, June 29). Russia Eyes 'World's Biggest' Orthodox Church – Reports. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/01/21/russia-plans-worlds-biggest-orthodox-church-reports-a6897
Alexis of Russia. (2020, June 24). Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_of_Russia
What does the Russian flag mean. (2020, March 12). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.youngpioneertours.com/russian-flag-meaning/
Russia - United States Department of State. (2020, April 02). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/russia/
Massey, M. (2017, September 16). Russian Sacred Art: Connecting Heaven and Earth – Opening Reception. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://tmora.org/event/russian-sacred-art-connecting-heaven-and-earth-opening-reception/
The Moscow Times. (2020, June 29). Russia Eyes 'World's Biggest' Orthodox Church – Reports. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/01/21/russia-plans-worlds-biggest-orthodox-church-reports-a6897
Alexis of Russia. (2020, June 24). Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_of_Russia
Queen Lili'uokalani & Ivan the First by Auli'i Medeiros
Although his birth date isn’t confirmed, Ivan Ⅰ was born around the year 1304. He lived in Russia and was the grand Prince of Moscow (1328-40) and the grand Prince of Vladimir (1331-40). He then died in Moscow on March 31st, 1340. Queen Lili‘uokalani was born in 1838 in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. She was the last ruler of the Hawaiian kingdom and reigned from 1891-1894. Queen Lili’uokalani later died in 1917.
Both Ivan Ⅰ and Queen Lili’uokalani were great leaders who shared similar traits. They both showed loyalty and perseverance when leading their kingdoms. Ivan Ⅰ showed these traits by convincing the overlord of all Russian princes (Khan of the Golden Horde) to make him grand Prince of Vladimir. After he was made prince, he earned the nickname Kalita (“Moneybag”) because he made his kingdom very wealthy and successful. Queen Lili‘uokalani showed her traits by leading her kingdom through a very rough time. The U.S. government was trying to overtake the Hawaiian kingdom and practically forced her to sign it over. Even after Hawai‘i was annexed, she still fought for her kingdom’s rights.
“He acquired a reputation for thrift and financial shrewdness that earned him the nickname Kalita (‘Moneybag’).” This quote about Ivan shows how he was successful in making his kingdom wealthy. A quote said by Queen Lili’uokalani is, “I could not turn back the time for political change, but there is still time to save our heritage. You must remember never to cease to act because you fear you may fail.” This shows how persistent she was when fighting for her kingdom. Both Ivan Ⅰ and Queen Lili’uokalani were loyal and persistent leaders for their kingdoms.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020, March 27). Ivan I. Retrieved June 3, 2020, from
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ivan-I
History.com Editors. (2009, December 2). Liliuokalani. Retrieved June 3, 2020, from
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/liliuokalani
Both Ivan Ⅰ and Queen Lili’uokalani were great leaders who shared similar traits. They both showed loyalty and perseverance when leading their kingdoms. Ivan Ⅰ showed these traits by convincing the overlord of all Russian princes (Khan of the Golden Horde) to make him grand Prince of Vladimir. After he was made prince, he earned the nickname Kalita (“Moneybag”) because he made his kingdom very wealthy and successful. Queen Lili‘uokalani showed her traits by leading her kingdom through a very rough time. The U.S. government was trying to overtake the Hawaiian kingdom and practically forced her to sign it over. Even after Hawai‘i was annexed, she still fought for her kingdom’s rights.
“He acquired a reputation for thrift and financial shrewdness that earned him the nickname Kalita (‘Moneybag’).” This quote about Ivan shows how he was successful in making his kingdom wealthy. A quote said by Queen Lili’uokalani is, “I could not turn back the time for political change, but there is still time to save our heritage. You must remember never to cease to act because you fear you may fail.” This shows how persistent she was when fighting for her kingdom. Both Ivan Ⅰ and Queen Lili’uokalani were loyal and persistent leaders for their kingdoms.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020, March 27). Ivan I. Retrieved June 3, 2020, from
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ivan-I
History.com Editors. (2009, December 2). Liliuokalani. Retrieved June 3, 2020, from
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/liliuokalani
Hina Wong-Kalu and Catherine the Great by Jake Lee
Catherine the Great was born on May 2, 1729, in Stettin, Prussia. She lived in Russia as an empress where she ruled from 1762 to 1796. She passed away on November 17, 1796. Hina Wong-Kalu was born in Nu’uanu, O’ahu. She is known as a film maker, hula teacher, and Hawaiian activist. She is currently is 47 years old.
Catherine the Great and Hina Wong-Kalu are leaders in their own respective ways but still share similar traits. They are both ambitious, intelligent, and confident. Catherine the Great exhibited ambition after Peter III, her husband, was uninterested in ruling. She made it her goal to dethrone him and govern Russia herself. She was intelligent because she was a German princess that was married into Russian royalty meaning that she frequently studied the Russian language, culture and writing. She was exceptionally good at all of these things. Catherine was also confident in being different as she ruled for 34 years, the longest ruling empress in Russia. This set an example of powerful women. She faced many uprisings questioning her validation to rule but stood up to them with this same confidence. Hina Wong-Kalu also displays ambition through her activism in things like protesting the building of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. She came together with many well-known Hawaiians to record her song, Ku Ha'aheo. A song which became the anthem of the protest and a call for unity. Wong-Kalu uses her intelligence and knowledge of the Hawaiian culture and language to teach others. She teachers hula, students of all ages, and even prisoners in correctional institutions. Hina Wong-Kalu stands out when advocating for the Hawaiian community as a transgender woman and although she is constantly faced with being different by Western terms, she feels she is Hawaiian first, and being māhū is accepted. She finds confidence in this and focuses on advocating for the Hawaiian community.
Catherine the Great said, "The title of Queen rang sweet to my ears, child though I was. This idea of a crown began running in my head than like a tune and has been running a lot in it ever since.” This shows her ambition to become the queen and rule Russia. Hina Wong-Kalu said to Yes Magazine, “It has everything to do with me being pro-Hawaiian. Aloha supersedes jealousy, it supersedes anger, and Aloha allows us to always have a commonality, regardless of our politics or gender expression.” This shows the confidence she has in herself to focus on her Hawaiian identity through values like aloha.
Oldenbourg-Idalie, Z. (2020, April 28). Catherine the Great. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-the-Great
Wu, Nina. “Top Hawaii Musicians Join Forces to Record Music Video in Support of Mauna Kea Protest.” Star-Advertiser, 4 Sept. 2019, www. staradvertiser.com/2019/09/03/breaking-news/top-hawaii-musicians-join-forces-to-record-music-video-in-support-of-mauna-kea/.
Catherine the Great.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 July 2012, www.history.com/news/8-things-you-didnt-know-about-catherine-the-great.
OHA Hawaii, director. Healing in Hālawa with Kumu Hina. YouTube, 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Np3nxJ9tOY.
“Catherine The Great Quotes That Still Have Relevance.” Inspirational Quotes To Fire You Up With Motivation Even When Taking A Single Step Seems Difficult., www.quotes.thefamouspeople.com/catherine-the-great-3707.php.
Wong-Kalu, Hinaleimoana. “‘I Am Hawaiian First.’” Yes! Magazine, 20 Apr. 2018, www.yesmagazine.org/issue/decolonize/2018/04/20/i-am-hawaiian-first/.
Haunani Kay Trask and Joseph Stalin by Wahine
Joseph Stalin was born on December 18th, 1878, in Gori Georgia, Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. He came from poverty, worked hard, and became General Secretary of the Communist Party In Russia. From there he rose to power and became the Premier of the Soviet Union. His reign lasted from 1941 till his death on March 5, 1953. He was known as being a Soviet Dictator (2019).
Haunani Kay Trask is one of the most inspirational Native Hawaiians there are. She is a Hawaiian Nationalist, educator, political scientist, author, and professor emeritus. Born on October 3rd, 1949 in San Fransico she then moved to Hawaiʻi not long after. She was born into a very politically active Hawaiian family. From childhood, she pursued her passion to fight for Hawaiʻi. She was a fellow from The Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and then continued her education at The University of Wisconson-Madison.
Both are known to have been very intelligent, determined, and strong, however, that is where the comparison ends. While some would argue that Joseph Stalin used his skills to better Russiaʻs position in the world politically and economically, it came at the cost of countless lives murdered due to Stalinʻs stern and cruel ruling (Biography, 2012). Haunani Kay Trask on the other hand fought for native Hawaiian and other indigenous peopleʻs rights and also advocated for anti-violence against women. Her influence inspired many young Native Hawaiians to join in “the modern Hawaiian movement.” (News U, 2019)
Joseph Stalin was definitely intelligent but used his intelligence mostly as a master manipulator. He used this skill to climb his way to the top only to be known eventually as cold-blooded. He used his strength to enforce unjust and terrible laws, and if you didnʻt willfully follow it would cost you your life, this was called The Great Purge. It was a political campaign lead by Stalin that eliminated the unloyal members of the communist party or anyone who posed as a threat. It was reported that about 750,000 people were killed, and over 1million were sent to labor camps(Biography, 2012).
Haunani Kay Trask on the other hand used her incredible ʻike to elevate the rights and quality of life for Hawaiians through fighting for our civil and land rights. A quote that she is very famous for is, “The people cannot exist without the land, and the land cannot exist without the people” (Editor, 2017). Haunani was not only strong in her actions but also in her words. Scholar Witi Ihimaera says, “She [Trask] does not simply write with a pen, she slashes with it” (Editor, 2017). Her use of words impacted and connected to many Native Hawaiians and indigenous people. She spent nearly four decades as a critical voice in the Modern Hawaiian Movement and continued to be throughout all of her extensive academic work and activism. She was the founding director of the UH Center of Hawaiian Studies named Kamakakūokalani. This venue has sparked the passion of Hawaiian culture and history for many Native Hawaiians (News, 2019). Many events are held there like college courses, hula classes, panel discussions, musical and educational events, and more. Haunani even has many books, documentaries, and poems that bring awareness to the issues she is advocating for. For example, The Promise of Feminist Theory (1984), and From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawaiʻi (1993). Haunani Kay Trask was also one of the key founders of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement in the 70ʻs and 80ʻs and played a major role in the first legal access to Kahoʻolawe.
Although Haunani Kay Trask and Joseph Stalin shared similar leadership traits and goals of independence for their countries, their values and sense of how to lead couldnʻt be more different. Joseph Stalin will forever be known as one of the most ruthless and coldest leaders in history, while Haunani Kay Trask will be honored and revered as a revolutionary advocate for women, Indigenous Nations, Native Hawaiians, and Native Hawaiian land rights being a shining inspiration to people around the world.
Biography [Biography]. 2012, October 16. Joseph Stalin - Dictator | Mini Bio | BIO. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_2of8pmHYU
News, U. (2019, November 12). Haunani-Kay Trask receives national recognition for scholarship for the public good. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/11/12/trask-awarded-davis-prize/
Joseph Stalin. (2019, September 04). Retrieved June 05, 2020, from https://www.biography.com/dictator/joseph-stalin
Joseph Stalin: National hero or cold-blooded murderer? (2019, November 12). Retrieved June 05, 2020, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/joseph-stalin-national-hero-or-cold-blooded-murderer/zhv747h
Editor. (2017, March 12). 31 Days of Revolutionary Women, #12: Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask. Retrieved June 05, 2020, from https://southseattleemerald.com/2017/03/12/31-days-of-revolutionary-women-12-dr-haunani-kay-trask/
History.com Editors. (2018, March 15). Great Purge. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/russia/great-purge
Haunani Kay Trask is one of the most inspirational Native Hawaiians there are. She is a Hawaiian Nationalist, educator, political scientist, author, and professor emeritus. Born on October 3rd, 1949 in San Fransico she then moved to Hawaiʻi not long after. She was born into a very politically active Hawaiian family. From childhood, she pursued her passion to fight for Hawaiʻi. She was a fellow from The Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and then continued her education at The University of Wisconson-Madison.
Both are known to have been very intelligent, determined, and strong, however, that is where the comparison ends. While some would argue that Joseph Stalin used his skills to better Russiaʻs position in the world politically and economically, it came at the cost of countless lives murdered due to Stalinʻs stern and cruel ruling (Biography, 2012). Haunani Kay Trask on the other hand fought for native Hawaiian and other indigenous peopleʻs rights and also advocated for anti-violence against women. Her influence inspired many young Native Hawaiians to join in “the modern Hawaiian movement.” (News U, 2019)
Joseph Stalin was definitely intelligent but used his intelligence mostly as a master manipulator. He used this skill to climb his way to the top only to be known eventually as cold-blooded. He used his strength to enforce unjust and terrible laws, and if you didnʻt willfully follow it would cost you your life, this was called The Great Purge. It was a political campaign lead by Stalin that eliminated the unloyal members of the communist party or anyone who posed as a threat. It was reported that about 750,000 people were killed, and over 1million were sent to labor camps(Biography, 2012).
Haunani Kay Trask on the other hand used her incredible ʻike to elevate the rights and quality of life for Hawaiians through fighting for our civil and land rights. A quote that she is very famous for is, “The people cannot exist without the land, and the land cannot exist without the people” (Editor, 2017). Haunani was not only strong in her actions but also in her words. Scholar Witi Ihimaera says, “She [Trask] does not simply write with a pen, she slashes with it” (Editor, 2017). Her use of words impacted and connected to many Native Hawaiians and indigenous people. She spent nearly four decades as a critical voice in the Modern Hawaiian Movement and continued to be throughout all of her extensive academic work and activism. She was the founding director of the UH Center of Hawaiian Studies named Kamakakūokalani. This venue has sparked the passion of Hawaiian culture and history for many Native Hawaiians (News, 2019). Many events are held there like college courses, hula classes, panel discussions, musical and educational events, and more. Haunani even has many books, documentaries, and poems that bring awareness to the issues she is advocating for. For example, The Promise of Feminist Theory (1984), and From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawaiʻi (1993). Haunani Kay Trask was also one of the key founders of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement in the 70ʻs and 80ʻs and played a major role in the first legal access to Kahoʻolawe.
Although Haunani Kay Trask and Joseph Stalin shared similar leadership traits and goals of independence for their countries, their values and sense of how to lead couldnʻt be more different. Joseph Stalin will forever be known as one of the most ruthless and coldest leaders in history, while Haunani Kay Trask will be honored and revered as a revolutionary advocate for women, Indigenous Nations, Native Hawaiians, and Native Hawaiian land rights being a shining inspiration to people around the world.
Biography [Biography]. 2012, October 16. Joseph Stalin - Dictator | Mini Bio | BIO. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_2of8pmHYU
News, U. (2019, November 12). Haunani-Kay Trask receives national recognition for scholarship for the public good. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/11/12/trask-awarded-davis-prize/
Joseph Stalin. (2019, September 04). Retrieved June 05, 2020, from https://www.biography.com/dictator/joseph-stalin
Joseph Stalin: National hero or cold-blooded murderer? (2019, November 12). Retrieved June 05, 2020, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/joseph-stalin-national-hero-or-cold-blooded-murderer/zhv747h
Editor. (2017, March 12). 31 Days of Revolutionary Women, #12: Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask. Retrieved June 05, 2020, from https://southseattleemerald.com/2017/03/12/31-days-of-revolutionary-women-12-dr-haunani-kay-trask/
History.com Editors. (2018, March 15). Great Purge. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/russia/great-purge