Declaration

 

Be it known that I, Edmund Keli’i Silva, Jr. King of the

Kingdom of Hawai’i hereby declare that the entire archipelago

and surrounding seas of the archipelago belong to the Kingdom of Hawai’i.

 That all peoples throughout the world are served notice that Hawai’i

is an independent sovereign nation ordained and sustained by

the Hand and Might of a Just God in our Heavenly Father.

 

 Document Signed by:  His Royal Majesty on September 25, 2007

 

 

King’s Message Regarding the Superferry

 

I have heard the voice of my people in desiring to right a substantial wrong against the beautiful and pristine islands of Hawai’i—more specifically the islands of Kaua’i, Maui and Hawai’i—by capitalists pretending to be environmentally conscience.  If the guiding minds of the Superferry had followed the direction of the Hawai’i State Supreme Court and waited until all the environmental studies were final and complete, things would have been different. 

 

The situation called for wisdom to bring about a peaceful solution; thus, I have asked my most devoted council, Ali’i Mana’o Nui Lanny Sinkin to assist me in bringing this problem to a successful conclusion. 

 

My people’s right to challenge a government not acting pono is an inherent right that can not be denied.

 

            The restored Kingdom has put a great deal of energy and resources into preventing the operation of the Hawai′i Superferry, and I want to share why we took that position and held our ground.

  

            The matter of Superferry first came to my attention when Ali′i Mana′o Nui Lanny Sinkin began preparing federal litigation to challenge the United States Coast Guard’s plan to create a security zone in the Nawiliwili harbor at Kaua′i.

 

            When I heard that twelve-year-old children were jumping into the water to stop the Superferry from entering the harbor, I became very concerned.

           

Like many people, I had initially thought the Superferry was a good idea, primarily because it would make it possible for ‘ohana to visit each other more easily.  I soon learned, however, that the public use and benefit of this ferry was a façade that hid a more sinister and truer use of the ferry.  See the following link: http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/%20Year%202006/03-environment/0603-20SuperFerryMilitary.html

 

            The fact is the Superferry was designed as a military vehicle to carry the Stryker Brigade.  The large capacity and high speed make this boat a mobile platform for moving United States troops to any island in a short period of time.  As I realized that the controlling minds behind the Superferry purposefully pushed the project through despite a clear environmental restriction, I understood that what I was witnessing was a military response to the growing strength of the sovereignty movement.

 

            As more and more people came to understand the profound contradictions within the Akaka Bill and the likelihood that the bill would never pass, support for the independence option grew stronger.

 

            That growing strength took place in islands that are considered important by the United States military as a forward base to challenge the resurgence of Polynesia and to confront the growing strength of China.  We can see the militarization of the islands increasing rapidly as the aggressive political group in power in the United States moves to establish global domination.

 

            For the United States Department of Defense, the political movement to restore our independent nation represents an unacceptable goal.  As part of their long-range planning process, the DOD had to develop a plan to prevent realization of that goal.

 

            When Superferry showed up, we understood that the plan was being made to have a mobile platform for moving the Stryker or other military force to any island where the sovereignty movement might be on the verge of success.

 

            As the Ali′i Mana′o Nui pointed out, the DOD could not openly bring in a military transportation vehicle and show its intent to suppress the sovereignty movement because such a plan would violate the First Amendment protection given to political movements.  So the Superferry came disguised as a private project to make inter-island travel convenient.

 

            The political survival of the independence option brought us into the effort.  We also wanted to do everything we could to prevent another confrontation in the harbor waters, particularly to protect the children.

 

            As we came to understand the many environmental effects Superferry would have on the whales, introduction of invasive species, overloading the infrastructure of the outer islands, and all the other harmful impacts identified so far, our original decision to oppose this project made even more sense.

 

            When the restored Kingdom has the resources, I will propose that we offer the inter-island option for ‘ohana, Kupuna, handicapped, and others for whom such an alternative would be appreciated.  Whatever transportation vehicle is developed will have to be environmentally friendly and avoid all the adverse impacts that Superferry would have caused.  I am sure we will have the creativity to find a way to provide the service without all the negatives associated with the Superferry.

 

            In Closing –

 

            I am King and I do not take this position lightly.  I have no foolish arrogance or pride.  As King, I stand at the door to protect my people and our islands from those who would destroy the peace and harmony of our nation and the integrity of the natural world.   I have no wisdom without the voices of the people and my counsel to guide me.  I have no strength without the unity of my people beside me.  And, I have no joy without the love and aloha of my people.  Together, we are the Kingdom.

 

 

Aloha pomaika’i,

 

/s/

Edmund Keli’i Silva, Jr.