Renationalization of the Hawaiian Islands through the historical law of aloha, Hawaiian national laws, and international law

Pre- and post-colonial laws governing First Nations indigenous people occupying islands and continents throughout the world prior to European discovery have been generally overlooked in the renationalization processes occurring today. In South Africa, for example, Nelson Mandela used only western governance and promised government-generated solutions. Sovereignty movements in Hawai'i have utilized western governance forms. This form of government disregards indigenous values and has two major problems. First, it creates social and financial dependency on government. Second, it gives decision-making power to only a few.; In August 1994, the United Nations Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities adopted a draft declaration covering the rights and freedoms of indigenous people (UN The Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Fact Sheet No. 9 (Rev. 1) p. 8). However, if First Nations Indigenous people give up their rights through acculturation to western colonial values, they give up these freedoms.; The real question is: How, in this ever-evolving global economy, can a people survive socially and economically while maintaining the integrity of their "cultural characteristics and distinct identities"? Is it even possible? The aim of this dissertation is to attempt to answer this question by showing how cultural integrity and the use of existing laws can provide a solid social and economic foundation for the renationalization of first nation people in this global society, using the Hawaiian Island government, and its present problems, as an example.; Methodology included the extrapolation and definition of ancient and modern laws through a study of history. Thereafter, the application of these laws were used to formulate a theory for renationalization. Included were ideas for responsible internal social and economic self-rule; reclamation of land through the use of ancient and Hawaiian Islands national laws; and equitable international relationships between both the Hawaiian Islands, the US, and their citizens.