Courtesy of Jairus Rhoades
Under the soft glow of a projector, students gathered Monday evening to watch “Act of War,” a documentary chronicling the overthrow of Hawaiʻi’s monarchy. The event kicked off a weeklong celebration hosted by Yale’s Indigenous Peoples of Oceania cultural group, centering on the 181st anniversary of Lā Kūʻokoʻa, or Hawaiian Independence Day.
The group’s events, which include film screenings, panel discussions, and a showcase of cultural dishes, aim to deepen the Yale community’s understanding of Hawaiian sovereignty and resistance to colonial legacies. President Joshua Ching ’26 (Kanaka Maoli) described the week as a “celebration of the survivance of our people, our ʻāina and our sovereignty.”
“We’re working to push the boundaries of how sovereignty, independence and self-determination are traditionally thought of, both on this campus and in our communities,” Ching said.
Lā Kūʻokoʻa commemorates the 1843 recognition of Hawaiʻi’s independence from Great Britain and France. It also serves as a rejection of the illegal annexation of Hawaiʻi by the United States in 1898. This is the second year the event has been celebrated on campus, reflecting the growing presence of the Pasifika community at Yale.
Monday’s screening of “Act of War” was followed by a discussion with James Pakele (Kanaka Maoli), who spoke about Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae, a Hawaiian refuge for unhoused people. He framed the refuge as a modern-day example of sovereignty and community-driven security.
“The key is a behavior,” Pakele said. “If you’re kicking people out … really, all you’re doing is trying to treat the lowest hanging fruit. But … the hard-to-get ones … still get [left behind].”
He emphasized the need for long-term thinking and multi-generational efforts in rebuilding and maintaining sovereignty.
“We never get to where we are in one generation,” Pakele said. “What can we get done offensively in this generation and then prep the next generation to take over?”
Amber Nobriga ’27 (Kanaka Maoli), treasurer of the Indigenous Peoples of Oceania — or IPO — elaborated on the deeper significance of the event, noting that Lā Kūʻokoʻa is often celebrated through Western lenses of sovereignty but that the work of Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae offers an Indigenous conception of sovereignty.
“This approach to activism that James Pakele and Twinkle Borge have showcased throughout their lives and careers is one that needs to inform our own actions as we operate within the Yale community and our communities back home,” Nobriga said. “We need to hold this care and love for each other at the center of everything we do.”
On Thursday, the group will host a panel with ʻIhilani Lasconia to explore sovereignty’s intersections with gender and sexuality, addressing the challenges faced by women, māhū and queer Native Hawaiians. The panel will also draw connections between Native Hawaiian struggles and global movements for self-determination, such as in Palestine.
Since its founding last year, IPO has expanded its presence on campus, fostering a space for the Pasifika community and its allies.
“It’s been so encouraging to see how much our organization has grown,” Ching said. “The Pasifika community is growing and reaching all parts of campus — in ways that are meaningful, politically engaged, and true to our homelands.”
As he prepares to step down from his role as president, Ching expressed pride in the organization’s accomplishments and optimism for its future.
“This being my last term as president, I’m so proud of the work our organization has done and the community we’ve built,” Ching said. “I’m excited to ‘elder out’ and cheer them all on.”
IPO’s Lā Kūʻokoʻa celebration continues this week, culminating in a cultural showcase that promises to leave a lasting impression of Hawaiian resilience and the power of solidarity.