A Struggle for Sovereignty: Rice v. Cayetano & the Ongoing Hawaiian Ea Movement

A Struggle for Sovereignty: Rice v. Cayetano & the Ongoing Hawaiian Ea Movement

In this lesson, students will explore the history of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, unearthing the long and ongoing struggle for ea (sovereignty) through the lens of Hawai'ian activists. Students will also engage in a thorough analysis of federal attempts to suppress Hawai'ian sovereignty through the Rice v. Cayetano Supreme Court Case.

Lesson Objectives:

1. Take a dive into the history of Hawai'ian sovereignty movements by looking at the writings of Hawai'ian activists

2. Analyze the Rice v. Cayetano Supreme Court case to excavate attempts to suppress Hawai'ian sovereignty.

This lesson plan kit includes:

• Background Reading for Educator

• Glossary of Terms

• PowerPoint Slides

• Video Links: How Native Hawaiians Fought the US Navy, and won

• Activities

  • Rice v. Cayetano Note-taking Document

  • "The Colonizer's Story" reading

  • Final Response Paper Sample Assignment

  • Hawai'i - EA Activism Movements 1960 to 2010

  • Rice v. Cayetano Oral Arguments

Essential Questions:

1. What is the history of the U.S. overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai’i and annexation of Hawai’i? How does this history fit into themes related to the Gilded Age?

2. How has colonialism impacted the Native Hawaiian community?

3. What resistance movements have arisen for Native Hawaiian sovereignty? How do these movements relate to the history of American Civil Rights movements?

4. What is Rice v. Cayetano? How has it impacted Native Hawaiian sovereignty movements?

Slideshow Preview

The standards covered in this lesson: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1 , CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.8, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7; APUSH Topics: 6.2, 6.5, 6.6, 8.10, 8.11, 8.14

Lesson plan created by Endiya Griffin in partnership with OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates

Taught this lesson plan? We’d love your thoughts! Click here to give feedback.