Although Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States of America, there are some within the state of Hawaii who want to have the right to self- determination.

President and Head of State, Independent and Sovereign Nation State of Hawaii Pu’uhonua D K B Kanahele seeks Nepal’s cooperation in its efforts to forge understanding with world communities for peace and friendship.

Kanahele who is currently touring Nepal said that there is legal basis for the Native Hawaiian people to exercise their right to self-determination and self government under international law.

“You can impede justice, you can suppress justice, but you cannot hide from justice”, he said, adding that the US Congress urges the President of the United States, through its joint resolution passed in 1993 also known as US Public Law 103-150 to reconcile with the natives of Hawaii. “But they still con-tinue selling our lands,” he added.

Kanahele said prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1778, the Native Hawaiian lived in a highly organised, self-sufficient, subsistent social system based on communal land tenure, with a sophisticated language, culture and religion before it came under US occupation.

He said before the Kingdom of Hawaii was occupied by the US, Hawaii had treaties of perpetual peace, constant friendship, trade and commerce with 30 countries of the world. The US Public law recognises the fact that Native Hawaii people had the right to restore independent nation. “We care about our right to self-determination,” he added.

Kanahele said Americans violated treaties signed with Hawaii.

“We are looking for peace and friendly relations with the international community.”

He said his country had established honorary consuls in more than 10 coun-tries, including Nepal and India. “We want to do business with other countries to promote trade and investment so that development efforts can be accelerated in Hawaii. We are trying to open up international relations of peace and friendship with the international community. I talked about these things with leaders in India and I will do the same here during my stay,” he added.

Kanahele said he would meet civil society members in Nepal to explore economic and business relations.

Kanahele has appointed Tejendra Poudel as Honorary Consul of independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawaii to Nepal.

Poudel said that Independent and Sovereign Nation of Hawaii had sent congratulatory message to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal when he was appointed the PM.

US Congress had jointly adopted a resolution in 1993 apologising for the overthrow and deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination and self-governance under international law.

The resolution declared that the Congress urges: - On the 100th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on 17 January 1893, the US acknowledges the historical significance of this event which resulted in the suppression of the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people. Commends efforts of reconciliation initiated by Hawaii and the United Church of Christ with Native Hawaiians Apologizes for the overthrow and the deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination - Expresses its commitment to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow in order to provide a foundation for reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people - Urges the president to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow and to support reconciliation efforts