This session will provide an orientation to the US Social Forum movement about the situation in Hawaii, and its impacts on the global struggle against neoliberalism and empire.

Since 1893, the people of Hawaii have resisted the US overthrow and occupation of our nation. Under US rule, Hawaii has been perverted into a major hub of US imperial militarism in the Asia-Pacific region. 1/6 of our land base is utilized by the military, including 1/4 of the metropolitan area of Oahu.

US militarism and occupation have created a number of political, economic, health, and environmental crises – rampant homelessness, underemployment, high cancer and asthma rates, and spiritual impoverishment.

This workshop will examine the current situation in Hawaii, and will invite solidarity efforts from the US progressive community. In particular, the panel will discuss the campaigns of the demiitarization movement, and the threat of federal recognition legislation (the "Akaka Bill") on right of self-determination.