Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Dr. Kalamaoka'aina Niheu is a Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Caucus at the United Nations, here holding the Hawaiian Royal Flag. The Kanaka Maoli or "native Hawaiian" is said to have been King Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

"Free Hawaii" says Leon Kaulahao Siu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

"Free Hawaii" says Leon Kaulahao Siu (left), the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom, and songwriter activist Laulani Teale. A small but dedicated group of Hawai'i independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

"Free Hawaii" says Leon Kaulahao Siu (left), the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom, and songwriter activist Laulani Teale. A small but dedicated group of Hawai'i independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Laulani Teale

"Free Hawaii" says songwriter activist Laulani Teale. A small but dedicated group of Hawai'i independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

"Free Hawaii" says Leon Kaulahao Siu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii

Waving the historic Hawaiian National Flag. A small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawai'i by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin

"Free Hawaii" says songwriter activist Liko Martin. A small but dedicated group of Hawai'i independence activists arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin, Laulani Teale

Songwriter activists Liko Martin and Laulani Teale were part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin

Songwriter activist Liko Martin was part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin, Laulani Teale

Songwriter activists Liko Martin and Laulani Teale were part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin, Laulani Teale

Songwriter activists Liko Martin and Laulani Teale were part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin, Laulani Teale

Songwriter activists Liko Martin and Laulani Teale were part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin

Songwriter activist Liko Martin was part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Hawaii, Liko Martin

Songwriter activist Liko Martin pauses pauses beside the Hawaiian Kane Po rock on the west side of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Martin was part of a small but dedicated group of Hawaii independence activists that arrived in Washington D.C. to protest against the " U.S. Illegal Annexation of Hawaii" at a rally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and march to the U.S. Capitol on June 17, 2016. On this date in 1897, Hawaii Queen Lili'uokalani filed a formal protest letter against the Illegal Annexation of Hawaiii by the U.S. government (the "Red Ribbon" letter). Her letter was never answered. The activists began the day by refiling Queen Lil''uokalani's protest at the U.S. State Department. Legendary songwriter Liko Martin is known as Hawaii's "Chief Bard of Aloha 'Aina (love for the land)." Martin has been a front-line activist for nearly 50 years as well as the composer of many anthems of this century. Kane Po is the name given the basalt bolder presented by the Hawaiians. The volcanic eruption that produced Kane Po is an important part of the oral chant history of Hawaiii. (Photo by Jeff Malet)