Ep 8. Native Hawaii

The show United Shades of America season 3 episode 8 takes the audience on a journey to the beautiful state of Hawaii, with a specific focus on the indigenous peoples of the islands. Host W. Kamau Bell explores the complex and nuanced history of the Hawaiian people, who have faced displacement and cultural erasure since the arrival of western colonizers centuries ago.

The episode begins with Bell meeting with indigenous Hawaiian activists who are fighting to protect their sacred lands from development. They explain how their culture and way of life are deeply connected to the land, and how the ongoing destruction of their sacred sites is a form of cultural genocide. Bell listens empathetically as they describe their struggles, and offers a thoughtful analysis of the ways in which settler colonialism has affected Hawaii.

Throughout the episode, Bell also explores the rich cultural traditions of Hawaiian people, including hula and other forms of dance and music. He meets with a group of young people who are learning the ancient art of Hawaiian navigation, which involves reading the stars and currents to guide their canoes across vast distances. This segment highlights the resilience and creativity of Hawaiian people in the face of ongoing cultural oppression.

As the episode progresses, Bell digs deeper into the history of Hawaii, including the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by American colonizers in the late 19th century. He speaks with descendants of Native Hawaiian royalty who recount the trauma of their ancestors' forced removal from power, and the ongoing struggles to gain recognition and reparations for that injustice.

Throughout the episode, Bell also grapples with his own identity as a black man in Hawaii, and the complex dynamics at play between different marginalized groups on the islands. He speaks with local activists who are fighting for greater representation and autonomy for Native Hawaiians, as well as African American residents who are navigating their own experiences of racism and displacement in a state that is often romanticized as a "racial paradise".

The episode culminates in a powerful moment of solidarity, as Bell joins a group of Native Hawaiian activists in a protest against the desecration of their sacred lands. He bears witness to their grief and anger, and offers a strong critique of the ongoing oppression and dispossession that is suffered by indigenous peoples around the world.

Overall, the episode offers a nuanced and compassionate look at the complex history and ongoing struggles of Native Hawaiians. It highlights the resilience and creativity of Hawaiian people in the face of cultural oppression, while also acknowledging the trauma and injustices that they have endured. Bell's thoughtful and insightful analysis adds depth and complexity to an often-simplified narrative and encourages viewers to grapple with the ongoing legacy of colonialism and its effects on marginalized communities.