4.4: Social and Environmental Justice in Hawai'i

Millions of visitors come to Hawai'i to experience the spirit of "aloha" each year. Unfortunately, these visitors experience the "commercialized aloha" that has no real spirit or cultural relevance. The "commercialized aloha" is a creation by the U.S. government which is used to benefit the government monetarily while lying to millions of tourists each year that they have experienced the true nature of aloha. After the occupation and annexation of the original Hawaiian government, the U.S. forcefully banned the culture. Hawai'i had a prosperous, sustainable lifestyle where human-environmental interaction was balanced. Soon, Hawaiians were banned from spiritual practices, their language and their previous lifestyle, and they had to adapt to the westernization of Hawai'i.

The land was not viewed as something to own, it was viewed as an essential source of life that was and is sacred. The military occupation of Hawaiian lands has been disrespectful and dangerous. Dangerous to the health and spiritual well being of the Hawaiian people. The levels of uranium in the environment due to military bombings is hazardous to the environment and to ecological ecosystems, and to the health of the people who live in surrounding areas.

The displacement of the Hawaiian people and their culture has had a detrimental effect on their lifestyle, and they are still in the process of adapting to the western culture. Fortunately, there are many movements across the islands that encourage Hawaiians to become aware of how their ancestors lived and to incorporate that indigenous lifestyle to live a more sustainable life. The concept of aloha is not lost, it is apparent that native Hawaiians who are spiritual understand the importance of living a life that is relative to sustainability, because that is what worked for thousands of years. Living with people and nature in love has been a part of their culture for centuries, and that is what the western culture is not aware of, but will learn to incorporate in order to survive in the future.