Difficult Knowledge: U.S. Imperialism and Settler Colonialism in Hawaiʻi

“As the saying goes, “ignorance is bliss,” and indeed, the ignorance of the colonization and continued occupation of Hawaiʻi has been a privilege to settlers in Hawaiʻi.” S. Matsuda and K. Komeiji https://www.uproot.space/komeiiji-matsuda

In Leeward’s new mission, the college affirms its “special commitment to Native Hawaiians.” One of the pillars of the new strategic plan is Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. The stated vision of this pillar is to “[c]reate a visible and celebrated connection to the ʻāina (land) for the betterment of Hawai‘i’s indigenous people and all campus community members.” 

• Why does Leeward have a special commitment to Native Hawaiians?
• What is the role of non-indigenous people (settlers) in supporting indigenization and Native Hawaiians?

The panelists (Eiko Kosasa, Annemarie Paikai, and Wayde Oshiro) will discuss difficult knowledge, i.e., U.S. imperialism and settler colonialism in Hawaiʻi, and connect these forms of conquest and domination to present-day Leeward Community College. The panelists will describe their experiences participating in an ad hoc learning community last summer. They will share their plan to create a learning community that will bring together faculty and staff in a safe and supportive environment where they can educate themselves on the legacy of settler colonialism and identify ways to support indigenization efforts at Leeward.

Join session via Zoom.