What do Native Hawaiians and Palestinians have in common? A lot more than you might think. Even though they live on opposite sides of the world, their stories share many of the same struggles—stories of stolen land, erased culture, and powerful people trying to silence their voices.

Both Had Their Lands Taken
Hawai‘i used to be its own kingdom with a queen, its own laws, and even its own flag. But in 1893, the U.S. helped a small group of businessmen overthrow the Hawaiian government. Later, they illegally took the land and made Hawaiʻi a U.S. state—without Native Hawaiian permission.

Palestinians faced a similar situation in 1948 when Israel was created. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families were forced to leave their homes. Today, many still live in exile or under military control.

Land Was Taken. And Then More Was Taken
In both places, most of the land once cared for by Native people is now owned by governments, militaries, or big corporations. In Hawai‘i, beaches, sacred mountains, and farmland are being sold to billionaires and developers. In Palestine, homes are destroyed and replaced with Israeli settlements.

The Military Is Everywhere
The U.S. military bombs and tests weapons in Hawai‘i. Sacred places like Pōhakuloa and Kahoʻolawe have been damaged. Palestinian communities face checkpoints, surveillance, and sometimes bombs, too. For both, the military isn’t about safety—it’s about control.

But the People Are Rising
Native Hawaiians stood up to protect Mauna Kea from a giant telescope on their sacred mountain. Palestinians continue to protest for freedom and the right to return to their land. Both are fighting not just for survival—but for dignity, culture, and justice.

What Can You Do?
Learn. Speak up. Don’t believe everything the government or big media tells you. These aren’t just “foreign” stories—they’re human stories. And they’re connected.

Hawaiians and Palestinians are showing the world what real courage looks like: protecting their homelands, practicing their cultures, and refusing to disappear.

Their fight is about truth, love, and land. It’s a fight worth joining.

“When you know your story, no one can erase you.”