“Hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders rose by almost 150 percent in America’s largest cities in 2020, according to a study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The surge was fueled by racist rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and others that sought to blame China for the […]

“As a part of Peace Week Delaware (October 3, 2021), UUFN sponsored a panel of various Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPIs) speakers who presented stories from their lives and experiences. Asian-American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) haven’t had it easy since the outbreak of COVID in China. Those, particularly of East and South-East Asian descent, have been the focus of public attention – […]

“No person from Asia shows up in the U.S. and automatically feels linked to people from other Asian countries. What binds us together? American racism. Racism is about dehumanizing us, but racial identity isn’t bad. Racism strips me of my humanity, and racial identity hands it right back. Racial identity is beautiful. Racial identity is powerful. God made us different […]

Queen Ka’ahumanu was instrumental in overthrowing the ancient Kapu system that included such traditions as human sacrifice and forbade women and men from eating together. Following Kamehameha I’s death, she publicly ate together with her son, Liholiho (Kamehameha II), thus breaking that kapu. This “overthrow” of the kapu system happened just a few years before the arrival of the first […]

In 1893, Liliuokalani, the Queen of Hawaii, was deposed and five years later her nation became an incorporated territory of the United States. Published shortly after these momentous events, her book, “Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen” is an incredibly personal history of the islands that she was born to rule. Liliuokalani covers from her birth in 1838 through the reigns […]

In 1893, when Queen Lili’uokalani tried to adopt a new constitution on behalf of her people, she was advised by her ministers to surrender to the United States under the threat of bloodshed. “I Liliʻuokalani, by the Grace of God, and under the constitution of the Kingdom, Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself […]

“Four years ago, at the request of Mr. [Lorrin A.] Thurston, then a Hawaiian Cabinet Minister, I was sent away to England to be educated privately and fitted to the position which by the constitution of Hawaii I was to inherit. For all these years, I have patiently and in exile striven to fit myself for my return this year […]

The islands were divided into parcels of land that went from the height of the mountains/volcanos to the ocean, usually along a stream, thereby ensuring that each parcel had access to a full range of resources and was self-sufficient. Many missionary families and businessmen persuaded the monarchy to give them various lands and water rights as gifts of favor (several […]