The Great Hawaiian Displacement: A Tragedy of Dispossession
Even Fortune magazine can’t ignore it:
https://fortune.com/2023/01/23/hawaiians-cannot-afford-to-live-in-hawaii-las-vegas-drawing-natives/
Beneath its postcard-perfect image, the Hawaiian Islands are grappling with a profound crisis – the displacement of Native Hawaiians from their ancestral lands. As luxury housing dominates the landscape and affordable housing remains scarce, a tragic chapter unfolds, threatening the very fabric of Hawaii's indigenous communities. This article delves into the heartbreaking phenomenon known as the "Great Hawaiian Displacement" and sheds light on the challenges faced by Native Hawaiians in their struggle for housing security.
A Legacy of Dispossession
The displacement of Native Hawaiians is not a recent phenomenon. It is rooted in a long history of colonization, land seizure, and forced assimilation. The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and subsequent land policies have significantly marginalized indigenous communities, exacerbating their vulnerability to housing inequality and loss of cultural heritage.
Luxury Housing Boom and the Native Hawaiian Exodus
In recent years, Hawaii has experienced a surge in luxury housing developments, catering primarily to wealthy investors and transplants. This influx of high-end real estate has contributed to skyrocketing property prices, making homeownership and rental housing unaffordable for many Native Hawaiians. As a result, families are forced to leave their ancestral lands, severing deep-rooted connections to their culture, traditions, and communities.
Lack of Affordable Housing
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/04/denby-fawcett-who-can-afford-affordable-housing-in-hawaii-certainly-not-low-income-families/
The scarcity of affordable housing exacerbates the displacement crisis. Native Hawaiians, along with other low-income residents, face an uphill battle in securing safe and affordable homes. Sky-high rents, limited public housing options, and an unbalanced housing market create a formidable barrier for those seeking stable housing, pushing many into homelessness or overcrowded living conditions.
Impact on Cultural Identity and Community
The Great Hawaiian Displacement not only threatens the physical well-being of Native Hawaiians but also erodes the cultural fabric of the islands. As families are uprooted and dispersed, the close-knit communities that have preserved indigenous traditions for generations begin to fracture. The loss of communal bonds, language, and practices further diminishes the vitality and resilience of Hawaiian culture.
Calls for Urgent Action
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, grassroots organizations, Native Hawaiian leaders, and advocates have been rallying for systemic change for many decades. Unfortunately, nothing gets done. A nod to “Affordable Housing" appears in every planning document from every department, but affordable housing for Hawaiians never gets built. People die waiting on lists. People move away from home, displaced by more luxury developments.
It is imperative that our government acts now to cap and tax luxury development to pay for affordable housing for Hawaiians, the preservation of culturally significant lands, and policies that prioritize the needs of the local community over profit-driven development.
Collaborative efforts between government agencies and indigenous groups are crucial in finding sustainable solutions and reversing the tide of displacement.
Preserving Native Hawaiian Heritage
The path forward lies in honoring the sovereignty and cultural rights of Native Hawaiians. This includes providing access to affordable housing, supporting community-led initiatives, and amplifying indigenous voices in decision-making processes. Efforts to restore and protect ancestral lands, strengthen education in Hawaiian history and language, and promote economic opportunities within the community can help foster a sense of belonging and revitalization.
Conclusion
Native Hawaiians, custodians of a rich cultural heritage, face an uphill battle against luxury housing dominance and a dearth of affordable housing options. As we witness the erosion of ancestral connections and the disruption of close-knit communities, we must recognize the immediate urgency of this crisis and work collectively to put an end to the systemic issues that perpetuate displacement.
~ Likeke, June 25, 2023
