Hawaii-Piha-Statement
Native Hawaiian is a race.
They are the indigenous astronomers, navigators, farmers, fisherman, artisans, warriors and royals who have populated the Hawaiian archipelago for over one thousand years.
There were an estimated half a million pure Hawaiians when Westerners first visited Hawaiʻi in 1778.
It is estimated that fewer than 4,000 pure Hawaiians now remain.
It is estimated that there will be no Pure Hawaiians left by the year 2050.
In Olelo Hawai'i, Hawaiʻi Piha translates to "full Hawaiian".
There is an estimated 400,000 people left of partial Native Hawaiian descent. I am one of them.
This is my ongoing kuleana, or responsibility, to document, preserve and celebrate my heritage, my ancestors, my people.
These are Hawaiʻi Piha.
Aloha.