A powerful live talk with Brandon Maka’awa’awa, the Vice President of the independent Nation of Hawaii.

Brandon came to visit our land for a few days and we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to meet him and experience his wisdom.

In this live discussion, we explore the Indigenous Nation Sovereignty of Hawai and the Hawaiian people by exploring the consequences of colonialism on the culture and ecology of the island. In this powerful discussion with Brandon Maka’awa’awa we aim to better understand the complexities and opportunities of sovereignty restoration and the unique project of Pu’uhonua O Waimanalo.

What can we learn from this particular project for the general goal of restoring Native sovereignty, how to navigate the complexity of the capitalistic and political systems, and how this ecological, social, and political project can be a frame for the general modeling of different ways to grow together in the midst of climate collapse and the restoration of social & economical justice.

Brandon Maka’awa’awa is the Vice President of the independent Nation of Hawaii.  He assists President Dennis Bumpy Kanahele in the day-to-day operations of Pu’uhonua O Waimanalo, the Nation’s sovereign land base in which they are restoring the ancient and modern technology-enabled Ahupua’a ecosystem.  Brandon also leads the Nation of Hawaii’s delegation to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where he has given many interventions on Hawaiian National Sovereignty, peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, indigenous economic development, and innovation.  

Brandon is also President of Na Po’e Kokua, a non-profit organization that advocates for the development of more affordable housing options for Hawaiians.  Brandon advocates on behalf of the Nation of Hawai’i at all levels of government on different issues impacting Hawaiians and their rights.,