Free speech forum at the University of Hawai‘i-Manoa

In 1990-91, a huge controversy erupted at the University of Hawai‘i-Manoa regarding an article I wrote to the campus newspaper chiding a white male student who had complained in the same paper that our word for white people, haole, was a racist term. Pointing out that “haole” was an ancient Hawaiian word which translated as “foreigner,” I told the student that if he didn't like our language, he should leave Hawai‘i. The student's home Department of Philosophy decided to call for my removal as director of the Center for Hawaiian Studies. The President of the University supported the Philosophy Department, triggering a huge struggle pitting Hawaiian students, staff and, eventually, the entire Hawaiian community against the University administration and the Philosophy department.

The chair of the Philosophy Department, who had publicly urged my removal, left the University, and the controversy was eventually resolved in my favor. I remained the Director of Hawaiian Studies. In less than a year, the President of the University also left. Our state-wide resistance had prevailed, confirming the value of fighting back. Today, no administrator dares to attack Hawaiian students or faculty. And speech, particularly political speech, is absolutely protected.