Notes Regarding Difficult Knowledge, from One Settler to Other Settlers (On US Imperialism and Settler Colonialism in Hawai‘i)*

Abstract

This article, presented at Leeward Community College, explores U.S. imperialism and settler colonialism in Hawai‘i, urging settler faculty and staff to confront and "unlearn" the narrative of the U.S. as a democratic nation of immigrants. It emphasizes the historical context of the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, highlighting the need for settlers to recognize their roles in "Indigenizing the college." By addressing concepts such as "empty land" and "manifest destiny," the article advocates for education that engages with difficult historical knowledge, promoting meaningful dialogue and action towards equity and justice for Indigenous peoples in Hawai‘i.