Kawaipuna Prejean
Encyclopedia
Gayle Kawaipuna Prejean (April 14, 1943 – April 14, 1992)
was a Hawaiian nationalist, activist and advocate for the Hawaiian sovereignty movement
. Prejean was founder of the Hawaiian Coalition of Native Claims.
A pioneer of sovereignty during the "Hawaiian Renaissance
" of the 1970s, Prejean was one of the first voices to advocate for Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiian) independence at the United Nations
in Geneva, Switzerland. He was involved in the formation of the movement to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe
by the U.S. Navy; this was an issue which catalyzed the formation of the modern "Hawaiian Movement".
Prejean was known for his music and "stand-up" comedy as well as for his unrelenting criticism of the U.S. military presence in Hawaii. It was Kawaipuna Prejean who originally proposed the convening of the 1993 Kanaka Maoli Tribunal, and other historical actions which were carried out after his death.
Kawaipuna Prejean died on his 49th birthday while fighting to stop the construction of Interstate H-3
, which destroyed many ancient Hawaiian sites and substantially impacted native species along its path on the island of Oahu, including several probable extinctions.
was a Hawaiian nationalist, activist and advocate for the Hawaiian sovereignty movement
Hawaiian sovereignty movement
The Hawaiian sovereignty movement is a political movement seeking some form of sovereignty for Hawai'i. Generally, the movement's focus is on self-determination and self-governance, either for Hawaiʻi as an independent nation, or for people of whole or part native Hawaiian ancestry, or for...
. Prejean was founder of the Hawaiian Coalition of Native Claims.
A pioneer of sovereignty during the "Hawaiian Renaissance
Hawaiian Renaissance
The First and Second Hawaiian Renaissance was the Hawaiian resurgence of a distinct cultural identity that draws upon traditional kānaka maoli culture, with a significant divergence from the tourism-based "culture" which Hawaii was previously known for worldwide .-First Hawaiian...
" of the 1970s, Prejean was one of the first voices to advocate for Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiian) independence at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in Geneva, Switzerland. He was involved in the formation of the movement to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe
Kahoolawe
Kahoolawe is the smallest of the eight main volcanic islands in the Hawaiian Islands. Kahoolawe is located about seven miles southwest of Maui and also southeast of Lanai, and it is long by wide, with a total land area of . The highest point on Kahoolawe is the crater of Lua Makika at the...
by the U.S. Navy; this was an issue which catalyzed the formation of the modern "Hawaiian Movement".
Prejean was known for his music and "stand-up" comedy as well as for his unrelenting criticism of the U.S. military presence in Hawaii. It was Kawaipuna Prejean who originally proposed the convening of the 1993 Kanaka Maoli Tribunal, and other historical actions which were carried out after his death.
Kawaipuna Prejean died on his 49th birthday while fighting to stop the construction of Interstate H-3
Interstate H-3
Interstate H-3 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located on the island of O'ahu in the state of Hawai'i in the United States. H-3 is also known as the John A. Burns Freeway...
, which destroyed many ancient Hawaiian sites and substantially impacted native species along its path on the island of Oahu, including several probable extinctions.
External links
- http://www.woodstocknation.org/aloha.htm
- http://www.namaka.com/catalog/misc/hookuokoa.html
- http://ilind.net/gallery_old/stand-together-1976/source/pko-rally_4-3.htm
- http://www.namaka.com/catalog/misc/funeral.html