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From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'I
Book by Trask, Haunani-Kay
Paperback
First published April 1, 1999
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About the author
Haunani-Kay Trask
16 books92 followersHaunani-Kay Trask was a Hawaiian activist, educator, author, and poet. She served as leader of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and was professor emeritus at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 3, 2018
When I told my mom I was reading this book, her response was, "Eww. Why?" Literally. Verbatim.
I was born and raised in Hawaii. I have a child's memory of the struggle for Native sovereignty: rallies, protests and sit-ins obstructing traffic, getting headlines in the newspaper, irritating my mother and other haole grown-ups in my family's social-circle. In school, our Kupuna explained that haoles don't belong in the islands and that the native Hawaiians want sovereignty from the US; want their islands back. When I'd return home and ask my mom about these things, she'd reply, "You're native. You were born here." Somehow that never seemed right. "I'm a haole," I'd reply. "Just because I was born here doesn't make me Hawaiian."
I enjoyed this book. Though I'm familiar with the history of Hawaii (I lived in the islands for the first 17 years of my life and learned about Hawaiian history every year in school), it was incredibly enriching to read a radical Native perspective on the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Haunani-Kay Trask is fierce and powerful.
I was born and raised in Hawaii. I have a child's memory of the struggle for Native sovereignty: rallies, protests and sit-ins obstructing traffic, getting headlines in the newspaper, irritating my mother and other haole grown-ups in my family's social-circle. In school, our Kupuna explained that haoles don't belong in the islands and that the native Hawaiians want sovereignty from the US; want their islands back. When I'd return home and ask my mom about these things, she'd reply, "You're native. You were born here." Somehow that never seemed right. "I'm a haole," I'd reply. "Just because I was born here doesn't make me Hawaiian."
I enjoyed this book. Though I'm familiar with the history of Hawaii (I lived in the islands for the first 17 years of my life and learned about Hawaiian history every year in school), it was incredibly enriching to read a radical Native perspective on the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Haunani-Kay Trask is fierce and powerful.
October 2, 2012
Well. That was eye-opening, even for a Native like me. Prior to picking up this book, I had a general awareness of my ignorance of Hawaiian history, but that pertained to the time before the Westerners' arrival in the islands. After reading this, I now know that there is a huge hole in the native coverage and publishing of Hawaiian history, and I'm not sure if we will have our full and complete history for everyone to read. It is sad, but I think it's important for everyone to learn that Hawaii is not the paradise it's perceived to be.
My island home has its own share of social, economic, and educational problems. What sets it apart, however, is the fact that indigenous people have occupied the island for over 2,000 years, and had established its own systems that successfully governed the people and managed the land. The arrival of Westerners suddenly changed the peaceful unity between land and people, and what's written about us by non-Natives has produced a bias that has not been challenged or discussed....until now.
If you want to hear one Native's view on colonialism and sovereignty in Hawai'i, this is your book. Happy to share the book with anyone interested, and engage in conversation with anyone who decides to read it.
My island home has its own share of social, economic, and educational problems. What sets it apart, however, is the fact that indigenous people have occupied the island for over 2,000 years, and had established its own systems that successfully governed the people and managed the land. The arrival of Westerners suddenly changed the peaceful unity between land and people, and what's written about us by non-Natives has produced a bias that has not been challenged or discussed....until now.
If you want to hear one Native's view on colonialism and sovereignty in Hawai'i, this is your book. Happy to share the book with anyone interested, and engage in conversation with anyone who decides to read it.
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September 4, 2023I'd read portions of this years ago, but never cover-to-cover in one go. An absolutely singular political and cultural achievement; one of the greatest books about Hawai'i ever written. In my reading, it rang me like a bell, resonating with notes and tones similar to 'The Black Panthers Speak' and 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X'.
February 18, 2008
haunani kay trask is such a rock star.
May 9, 2018
Eye-opening, life changing book. Will make you think twice about visiting Hawai'i as a non-Indigenous person and teach a critical people's history you probably won't learn anywhere else. Highly, HIGHLY recommend.
November 22, 2022
You have to read this if you exist.
April 13, 2020
Didn't make it all the way through this, as I was borrowing it from a friend and didn't get through it before other reading demanded my attention.
Very academic, illuminating read about the unjust history of the state of Hawaii.
Very convicting to me as a white amerikan who has visited Hawaii on vacation.
Prepare to have your eyes opened.
Very academic, illuminating read about the unjust history of the state of Hawaii.
Very convicting to me as a white amerikan who has visited Hawaii on vacation.
Prepare to have your eyes opened.
July 30, 2007
I read this for a Women of Color Feminism class. It's a great critique on the colonial relationship between the US and Hawaii--which includes the tourism industry in Hawaii.
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June 4, 2023One of the most engaging, concise, and lucidly written books of scholarship I've come across. This is my introduction to Trask's work and I feel a strong desire to seek out her various essays, poems, and other forms of writing now. She introduces some pre-haole Hawaiian social and historical details before spending extended time on the dynamics of settler power in contemporary Hawai'i, which makes the book a strong introduction for anyone unfamiliar with her geopolitical context. I especially appreciated the book's balance between larger cultural-political concerns and a particular emphasis on academic institutional contexts grounded by Trask's experiences at the University of Hawai'i. What emerges is a profound document of Trask's academic-activist positionality and the sobering precarity of minority critical discourse within institutionalized spaces.
One thing to add is that, unsurprisingly, the book is also especially of note for its extended treatment of mass tourism and what Trask calls the 'prostituting' of Hawaiian culture. In the present, and perhaps even at the time of writing, that may not have been the most productive metaphor, but that's my only critique and a minor one at that. In general, Trask's writing makes clear the relationship between racism and colonization--it also helpfully surveys examples of both student and non-student activism that begin to sketch out potential solution-strategies responsive to the damages of racialized colonialism. My edition featured a very useful appendix which includes relevant documents from the United Nations and Ka Lāhui Hawai’i, an pro-sovereignty organization.
One thing to add is that, unsurprisingly, the book is also especially of note for its extended treatment of mass tourism and what Trask calls the 'prostituting' of Hawaiian culture. In the present, and perhaps even at the time of writing, that may not have been the most productive metaphor, but that's my only critique and a minor one at that. In general, Trask's writing makes clear the relationship between racism and colonization--it also helpfully surveys examples of both student and non-student activism that begin to sketch out potential solution-strategies responsive to the damages of racialized colonialism. My edition featured a very useful appendix which includes relevant documents from the United Nations and Ka Lāhui Hawai’i, an pro-sovereignty organization.
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November 1, 2021I was especially fascinated by her stories about the Native men she knew who gave up on sovereignty and were drawn to advocate for statehood, believing that it was the only path to recognition, dignity, and power. Only to then be largely ignored and misrepresented once the state government was in place.
It forces me to look in the mirror and confront the ways I used to subconsciously think that my dignity would somehow be secured once I became a successful/assimilated Asian American.
Learning from indigenous people really upends my childish understandings of imperialism, land ownership, freedom, and “rights”.
A collection of essays and some parts read like memoir… different from what I was expecting but still challenged me and I learned a lot from it. Literally never questioned Hawaii as a state under U.S. rule until a couple years ago… it’s raising so many new questions for me.
It forces me to look in the mirror and confront the ways I used to subconsciously think that my dignity would somehow be secured once I became a successful/assimilated Asian American.
Learning from indigenous people really upends my childish understandings of imperialism, land ownership, freedom, and “rights”.
A collection of essays and some parts read like memoir… different from what I was expecting but still challenged me and I learned a lot from it. Literally never questioned Hawaii as a state under U.S. rule until a couple years ago… it’s raising so many new questions for me.
December 11, 2017
To preface my review of this book, I’d saying that brushing up on Hawaii's discovery and annexation before reading this collection of essays would definitely be helpful. Trask alludes to this history numerous times but never gives a historical overview herself, and it would be difficult to understand her arguments without this knowledge.
In terms of Hawaiian nationalism and sovereignty, I would say that Trask falls pretty close to the extreme end of the spectrum. She is very much anti-haole, which is perhaps understandable, especially given the terrible effects of white imperialism in Hawaii (which few white tourists, and even residents, know). She also seems to disapprove of Asian immigrants and visitors, who actually outnumber whites and make up the majority of both residents in and tourists to Hawaii. However, most of her criticism is reserved for the white outsiders who originally subjugated the native Hawaiians and now control the economic, political, and military power bases in the state.
Trask is not interested in partnering with other groups (feminists, environmental activists, different native communities, or otherwise) and devotes an entire essay to explaining why coalitions with outside groups must be short-term and focused on an immediate goal. If you’re a non-Hawaiian hoping to learn how you can help, you’ll probably be disappointed; Trask is of the opinion that there’s really nothing they can do besides 1) stop visiting Hawaii and contributing to the destructive tourism industry, and 2) reach out to other people of their race and try to convince them why Hawaiian nationalism and sovereignty is justified.
I read the original 1993 edition of this essay collection, not the updated 1999 edition. Even so, given the huge political and cultural shifts that have occurred in the past few years — much less since 1993 and 1999 — I'm not sure that reading the updated version would have made that much of a difference. Reading this book in 2017, when there is so much discussion of how various groups can be allies to different minorities (for example, African-Americans or the LGBTQI+ community) made Trask’s views seem dated, although I don’t think she has changed her convictions in the intervening years.
I also wanted more evidence for her strong claims, and felt like the footnotes and citations should have been more robust, given that these were critical essays. She frequently makes sweeping generalizations and judgments with little to no evidence. Part of this may be cultural; Trask actually talks about how Hawaiians tend to be more emotionally compelling in their appeals, whereas Westerners tend to focus on cold hard reason. I tried to set aside my cultural bias as much as possible, but there were still moments when I just couldn't accept what she was saying without more proof. There were also some places where I felt like she overstepped the line on emotional appeals: for example, when she compares the shame she experienced at the University of Hawaii to that of a rape victim, or described a professor as being "on the edge of insanity" with no medical evidence whatsoever.
I think reading this book is important to understand the perspective of native Hawaiians who are in favor of sovereignty, even though the essays are 25+ years old. I’d be interested in tracking down more contemporary scholarship to see if opinions and approaches have changed, as well as reading critical essays from more moderate activists. Trask is very influential figure, but she’s only one person, and there’s an entire spectrum of opinions out there.
In terms of Hawaiian nationalism and sovereignty, I would say that Trask falls pretty close to the extreme end of the spectrum. She is very much anti-haole, which is perhaps understandable, especially given the terrible effects of white imperialism in Hawaii (which few white tourists, and even residents, know). She also seems to disapprove of Asian immigrants and visitors, who actually outnumber whites and make up the majority of both residents in and tourists to Hawaii. However, most of her criticism is reserved for the white outsiders who originally subjugated the native Hawaiians and now control the economic, political, and military power bases in the state.
Trask is not interested in partnering with other groups (feminists, environmental activists, different native communities, or otherwise) and devotes an entire essay to explaining why coalitions with outside groups must be short-term and focused on an immediate goal. If you’re a non-Hawaiian hoping to learn how you can help, you’ll probably be disappointed; Trask is of the opinion that there’s really nothing they can do besides 1) stop visiting Hawaii and contributing to the destructive tourism industry, and 2) reach out to other people of their race and try to convince them why Hawaiian nationalism and sovereignty is justified.
I read the original 1993 edition of this essay collection, not the updated 1999 edition. Even so, given the huge political and cultural shifts that have occurred in the past few years — much less since 1993 and 1999 — I'm not sure that reading the updated version would have made that much of a difference. Reading this book in 2017, when there is so much discussion of how various groups can be allies to different minorities (for example, African-Americans or the LGBTQI+ community) made Trask’s views seem dated, although I don’t think she has changed her convictions in the intervening years.
I also wanted more evidence for her strong claims, and felt like the footnotes and citations should have been more robust, given that these were critical essays. She frequently makes sweeping generalizations and judgments with little to no evidence. Part of this may be cultural; Trask actually talks about how Hawaiians tend to be more emotionally compelling in their appeals, whereas Westerners tend to focus on cold hard reason. I tried to set aside my cultural bias as much as possible, but there were still moments when I just couldn't accept what she was saying without more proof. There were also some places where I felt like she overstepped the line on emotional appeals: for example, when she compares the shame she experienced at the University of Hawaii to that of a rape victim, or described a professor as being "on the edge of insanity" with no medical evidence whatsoever.
I think reading this book is important to understand the perspective of native Hawaiians who are in favor of sovereignty, even though the essays are 25+ years old. I’d be interested in tracking down more contemporary scholarship to see if opinions and approaches have changed, as well as reading critical essays from more moderate activists. Trask is very influential figure, but she’s only one person, and there’s an entire spectrum of opinions out there.
October 28, 2013
Opinionated, biased reflection appears no different than ANY or ALL of the displaced and annihilated Native American tribes on the mainland. Some are compensated--because there's no way to ignore yet another "treaty"--but alcoholism and territorial subjugation continues to take its toll. Alaska included.
I can't relate; I don't have any deep-rooted claims to anything, though I have Cherokee in my background. I'm sure I didn't get hatched but I have no such lands or deep-seated culture that I can lay claim to (feeling cheated).
So-called Imperialism has been appropriating territories, customs and whole populations for thousands of years. Tibet is a recent example: a whole country, gobbled up by the big bad wolf.
I can't relate; I don't have any deep-rooted claims to anything, though I have Cherokee in my background. I'm sure I didn't get hatched but I have no such lands or deep-seated culture that I can lay claim to (feeling cheated).
So-called Imperialism has been appropriating territories, customs and whole populations for thousands of years. Tibet is a recent example: a whole country, gobbled up by the big bad wolf.
December 29, 2008
This book is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement. Haunani holds nothing back, an effect that is both emotional and a bit frightening for a haole like me (but as someone in complete support of her cause, I think I'm in an ok spot). The book gets a little repetetive because it's actually a complilation of essays and speeches, however if you stick through it you'll come across a lot of new information in each essay that helps to put the full picture together. A powerful piece of work.
March 9, 2008
Infuriating. Outrageous. Sloppy-- but earnest! I couldn't restrain myself and jotted outraged marginalia: cascades of exclamation marks. There are moments of lovely observation, of precise insight into issues of Hawaiian culture and sovereignty. But those are tarnished by her bile and inaccuracy throughout the rest.
June 20, 2013
Raw reading. Haulani-Kay Trask is an engaging writer and activist. The rawness of the book calls out all the forms of US Imperialism’s bloodshed nature upon the Hawaiian people. I highly recommend this book for its analysis of Hawaiian history, the need for sovereignty and the steps to obtain that for and by the Native Hawaiian people.
March 9, 2011
Every American should read this book and consider how the "Westward Expansion" of "free territory" affected other culture groups like the Native Americans and Native Hawaiians. Parts are quite shocking. The author doesn't try to avoid offending folks.
March 7, 2019
Would be interesting to see how much had changed or not changed since 1993 especially at the University
December 5, 2024
AaahhhHhhhhhh!!!!!!
Holy crap, this was powerful and poetic and soul crushing and inspiring. I knew that Queen Lili’uokalani has been overthrown and that native Hawaiians don’t want tourists coming to their lands and participating in the degradation of their home. But WOOF I did not know the bulk of the haunting and all too common colonial rape of Hawai’i.
Trask was a fantastic and captivating writer. Her words engraved themselves on my skin and seeped into my flesh. Women are so fucking awesome. And America is so horribly evil.
I want to learn more about the 2000 years pre colonizers, and just more in general.
This book rocks!
Holy crap, this was powerful and poetic and soul crushing and inspiring. I knew that Queen Lili’uokalani has been overthrown and that native Hawaiians don’t want tourists coming to their lands and participating in the degradation of their home. But WOOF I did not know the bulk of the haunting and all too common colonial rape of Hawai’i.
Trask was a fantastic and captivating writer. Her words engraved themselves on my skin and seeped into my flesh. Women are so fucking awesome. And America is so horribly evil.
I want to learn more about the 2000 years pre colonizers, and just more in general.
This book rocks!
September 1, 2015
While the author brings up some very valid points, I find her arguments extremely one-sided and lacking actual evidence. I'm not saying her arguments are without merit, but it'd be nice to have some statistics or research to back things up. She covers up her lack of evidence by suggesting that Hawaiians pass on information through stories and not through statistics. Additionally, she makes a lot of blanket statements that seem too general. She uses terms like "intellectual colonization" to refer to haole historians, anthropologists, and archaeologists who have systematically suppressed Hawaii's true history in favor of a history that seeks to suppress Hawaiian culture. I find it hard to believe that all historians, anthropologists, and archaeologists seeking to study Hawaii wish to do so for malevolent purposes.
That being said, She does make some very valid points about the prostitution of Hawaiian culture by the tourism industry and she has some interesting things to say about the forced militarization of the Hawaiian islands by the United States as well as its exploitation of Hawaii's natural resources. Having traveled to Hawaii, I can recognize that there is definitely a "Renaissance Faire" aspect of certain supposedly "authentic" Hawaiian attractions, reducing the culture and ways of life of Hawaii's original inhabitants to something akin to side shows and circus performances.
That being said, She does make some very valid points about the prostitution of Hawaiian culture by the tourism industry and she has some interesting things to say about the forced militarization of the Hawaiian islands by the United States as well as its exploitation of Hawaii's natural resources. Having traveled to Hawaii, I can recognize that there is definitely a "Renaissance Faire" aspect of certain supposedly "authentic" Hawaiian attractions, reducing the culture and ways of life of Hawaii's original inhabitants to something akin to side shows and circus performances.
June 25, 2012
Haunani-Kay Trask raises some very important issues about the state of Hawaii and Hawaiian culture. The main problem with this book is it is founded upon the idea of Hawaiian sovereignty, which makes it very hard for many readers to approach, but the care and passion for the subject matter make her well-researched argument valid. The issues she touches on stem from the militarization of Hawaii, the ecology, tourism, and overall presence of America in the Pacific. Its worth a read, even if you don't fully agree with her politics.
January 22, 2012
I found this to be a good overview of Hawaiian history and activism, but found myself lost at times.[return]As an ignorant mainlander, I would have appreciated more background information, especially pre-Contact history of the islands and their people. It bogs down into tiny academic disputes at times and seems to lose sight of the big picture. If you are already familiar with the issues this would be a good read, otherwise I'd suggest reading some background first.
February 14, 2018
I've been wanting to read this forever and it definitely didn't disappoint. Trask is exactly the type of voice the native Hawaiian activists need and I'm so glad she has written this collection of essays on Hawai'i tourism, de-colonization, White Feminism and many other topics regarding native Hawaiians reclaiming the sovereignty of their country. Crucial reading for all those who are contemplating or have been to Hawai'i.
October 14, 2011
A classic. Everyone who is now or ever did live in Hawai'i should read this book. If you've ever visited Hawai'i and wondered at the impoverishment of the Hawaiian community, or felt the uncomfortable glares "locals" reserve for whites, especially tourists, From A Native Daughter will put these experiences in context.
March 3, 2021
F***ing fantastic in all the ways that matter. Trask tells it exactly like it is, and if you do not agree with her, well, then at least you know where you stand. I was actually most fascinated with all of the university BS they put her through (trying to fire her) because she had the nerve to *checks notes* tell a white male student the truth. Gasp.
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December 14, 2021Really enjoyed this. Writing felt a little repetitive at times but worth reading nonetheless. Great account of the horrific post-contact history of Hawaii, and the struggles which Hawaiians continue to face today.
April 13, 2022
OUTSTANDING!!! This mana wahine's work is just as relevant today to Hawai'i and our nā 'ōiwi as it was when published in 1993. This realistic and honest contribution should be required reading for everyone everywhere!
August 8, 2007
I learnt a lot from this book. Wasn't the most wonderful read but I do find her to be quite informative and provides a great critique of U.S imperialism in the Pacific.
September 16, 2007
I learned a lot about Hawai'i and the indigenous Hawai'ian movement.
March 4, 2008
The writing is very compelling; the author's anger is visible in every stroke. My remaining question is: What is the next step for independence or home rule?
December 4, 2008
This book explains how a little set of islands went from royal sovereignty to a British colony and last, to an American state. Rich in history, culture and politics.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews