Hawaii, Palestine, and the Shared Pain of Occupation

Hawaii and Palestine: A Shared Story of Occupation In a recent video posted online, Hiililylani, a Hawaiian resident, passionately voiced her frustration with the perceived trivialization of the Palestinian struggle. Her video highlights the hypocrisy of focusing on proper pronunciation of "Israel" while ignoring the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. Hiililylani draws a direct parallel between this situation and the ongoing effects of the US occupation of Hawaii. "It's Palestine at the end of the day," she states in the video, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the larger geopolitical context. She further underscores her point by stating, "Hawaii is occupied by the United States, Palestine is occupied by Israel. So why should I care about how you pronounce Israel's name?" Her video serves as a powerful reminder of the shared experiences of colonized peoples worldwide, urging viewers to consider the broader implications of political conflicts and the importance of recognizing historical injustices. The video's stark comparison between two seemingly disparate situations creates a compelling narrative, prompting reflection on the complexities of political power and its impact on marginalized communities.