Papers by Susan Shay
Technology has become a transformative medium for the transmission of information within the indi... more Technology has become a transformative medium for the transmission of information within the indigenous, post-colonial Native Hawaiian land control movement. The movement has harnessed the power of the Internet to convey traditional knowledge and heritage values, and to disseminate information on Native Hawaiian political movements for self-determination and land control of heritage sites. Previous efforts to develop coordinated and effective movements were impacted by geographic distances in this Pacific Island state. The volcanic island landscapes posed difficulties in the dissemination of information and the ability of communities to respond in a timely manner to threats to heritage sites. However, with the introduction of advanced communication networks and technologies these difficulties have been overcome. Communication among community members is now instantaneous as technological developments, such as cell phones, computers and other personal technologies have become the primary means of communication. Information for community involvement in Native Hawaiian land control efforts to encourage, protect and preserve threatened heritage sites and practices now reaches not only the Native Hawaiian community on the eight major islands of Hawai'i, but also extends to Hawaiian diaspora enclaves within the continental United States, and indigenous communities throughout the world. Local concerns are now global discussions, with potential political impacts on Native Hawaiian heritage issues from communities of interest throughout the world.
Conference Presentations by Susan Shay
The Indigenous Native Hawaiians have survived in their Pacific Island homelands through generatio... more The Indigenous Native Hawaiians have survived in their Pacific Island homelands through generational transmission of traditional knowledge, values, and practices, and by emphasizing collective responsibility over personal achievement. They are a post-colonial people who have been historically disenfranchised from traditional lands, yet have survived with limited economic resources and minimal social and political capital. Statehood in 1959 created a second level of Westphalian sovereignty challenge as the Native Hawaiians were now subject to a sovereign state, the United States. This initially compounded their struggle to form an effective, coordinated movement for sovereignty and land control. Ironically, the arrival of the Internet in Hawai'i was transformative on a local, national and international scale. It allowed the Native Hawaiians to forge relationships over large distances and build alliances with other groups to achieve common goals. Locally, the Internet provided opportunities to strengthen the community through educational programming, to encourage and coordinate community activities across islands, and to effectively engage, encourage and inspire a younger generation for activism. Nationally, the Internet fostered initiatives with other minority groups for greater representation and promotion of civil rights. Internationally, the Internet encouraged and supported the creation of new trans-global networks of Indigenous and minority activism, inspiring cooperative programs to achieve common goals of national representation and recognition. Such collective actions have the potential for economic or political change. In Hawai'i, the development of Native Hawaiian Internet networks, linkages and associations beyond conventional geographical territorial limits is transforming Indigenous identity. For as Native Hawaiians redefine themselves a part of a broader ʻotherʻ of those disenfranchised by Westphalian sovereignty, they are in the process challenging notions of Indigineity, Westphalian sovereignty and nationhood. .
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Papers by Susan Shay
Conference Presentations by Susan Shay