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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The legal/official name of the organization is Hui Kānaka Kālaiʻāina (HKK), the Hawaiian term for People’s Political Party. The HKK will simply be known as the Kānaka Party (registered trade name) or the People’s Party. Note: Kānaka is the Hawaiian word for people, all people.
IS THE KĀNAKA PARTY A HAWAIIAN POLITICAL PARTY?
The Kānaka Party (KP) was founded by a small racially-diverse group including several Native Hawaiians. The KP adheres to and promotes traditional Hawaiian values such as living Aloha and being Pono. The KP is also advised by a Kūpuna Council that is tasked with the kuleana to ensure that the KP remains culture-based and culturally competent. In addition, one of the 5-principles of the KP is to ho‘oponopono (make right what is wrong) regarding the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. In this context, the KP may be considered a Hawaiian political party. However, it is important to understand that the KP is not only for Hawaiians and is not limited to Hawaiian issues. The KP is inclusive, welcomes all, and address the needs and concerns of all the people of Hawaiʻi.
WHAT IS THE KĀNAKA PARTY AND WHAT ARE ITS GOALS?
The Kānaka Party (KP) is not simply a political party, it is a movement for change, a new dawn for politics in Hawaiʻi. Founded on traditional Hawaiian values, the KP will advocate and promote policies and governmental operations that reflect Hawaiian cultural principles such as: Aloha for all People; Mālama the ʻĀina and all Creatures; Demand for government Accountability and Transparency; Advocate for Hoʻoponopono (making right what is wrong) regarding the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi; and recognition of ke Akua (the divine). KP values include being inclusive, unifying, and celebrating diversity. KP’s goal is to bring about needed transformative change, through a grassroots democratic political process, from the inside out, by fielding pono candidate who will in turn advocate for needed change as elected officials.
WHO CREATED THE KĀNAKA PARTY?
The Kānaka Party was established by a racially-diverse group (Maori, Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, and Haole) from Moku o Keawe. Bobbi Cuttance, Gloria (Duvauchelle) Ishibashi, Pua Ishibashi, Nawahine Kahoʻopiʻi, Ipolani Murphy, and Kaleopono Norris, are recognized as the founding members of the Kānaka Party.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE KĀNAKA PARTY FROM EVERY OTHER POLITCAL PARTY IN HAWAIʻI?
The Kānaka Party (KP) is unique among political parties. The five foundational principles of the KP sets it apart:
We Aloha all people
We Mālama the ʻĀina and all Creatures
We demand government Accountability and Transparency
We advocate for Ho‘oponopono (to make right what is wrong)
regarding the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1893
We recognize and acknowledge ke Akua (the divine).
WHAT DOES THE TERM “HO‘OPONOPONO REGARDING THE OVERTHROW” MEAN?
Ho‘oponopono refers to a process to make right what is wrong. The Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 was an illegal and immoral act that disenfranchised Native Hawaiians from their Nation, inheritance, culture, and identity; an event which they continue to suffer from today (Generational and Cultural Trauma). The Kānaka Party believes that for the good of all the people of Hawai‘i, this wrong must be addressed and made right (ho‘oponopono). Only then will pono (balance and righteousness) return to the people and land allowing both to prosper, Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka ʻĀina I Ka Pono.
WHAT DOES THE TERM “RECOGNIZE KE AKUA” MEAN?
The divine in us, may be an invaluable source of mana (power), inspiration, and guidance. Whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, or any other creed, we invite all to embrace their divine, and be humbled and benefited by it.
IS THE KĀNAKA PARTY A SOVEREIGNTY PARTY/MOVEMENT?
Ho‘oponopono (make right what is wrong) regarding the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi includes restitution for what was loss and restoration of what was taken. While ho‘oponopono is a foundational principle of the Kānaka Party (KP), it is not its sole or primary focus. The KP is dedicated to address the needs and concerns of all the people of Hawaiʻi.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE KĀNAKA PARTY AND THE ALOHA ʻĀINA PARTY?
The founding members of the Kānaka Party (KP) are former members and leaders of the Aloha ʻĀina Party (AAP - Est 2020). Pua Ishibashi, one of the 3-cofounders of the AAP, is also one of the 6-cofounders of the KP. However, though the KP and AAP may share a similar genealogy, the KP has evolved from the AAP and is a separate and distinct legal entity and political organization. The KP believes that providing the people of Hawaiʻi with options is a good thing and that great things can happen when people and organizations work together.
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