Hawaiian Diaspora was not involved in organizing the event mentioned below. This fireside chat was hosted by Hālau Hula Ke Ola O Kauaʻi, Loyola Marymount University’s (LMU) Asian & Asian American Studies Department, and Nā Kōlea (A student organization at LMU that fosters community and learning about Hawaiian culture.) We are sharing these insights because we believe Julian Ako’s mana‘o (wisdom) is deeply relevant to Hawaiians living away from home. Mahalo nut loa to the organizers of this event for hosting such a powerful session.
On February 22, 2025, Julian Keikilani Ako, a lifelong educator, composer, and respected Kanaka (Native Hawaiian), shared his thoughts on identity, cultural connection, and personal sovereignty during a fireside chat at Loyola Marymount University. His reflections were a powerful reminder of what it means to be Hawaiian, especially for those who live beyond the shores of Hawaiʻi.
Julian’s words were not just about history—they were a call to action. He urged us to think deeply about how we define ourselves, how we carry our culture, and how we stand in our own sovereignty, no matter where we are in the world.
Julian spoke about the power of self-naming, choosing to identify as Kanaka rather than "Native Hawaiian" to honor his language and ancestors. For him, identity is not just a label—it is a deliberate act of reclaiming and defining who we are.
“For most of my 82 years of life, I have accepted being referred to as a Native Hawaiian. I no longer accept that. My preference now is to be called something in the language of my people.”
He also emphasized that while political sovereignty was taken, personal sovereignty remains something we can all exercise:
“I feel that I still have personal sovereignty that I can exercise, and nobody’s going to take that away from me.”
His message was clear: we have the power to define ourselves, to speak our own truths, and to live our values, no matter where we are.
Julian acknowledged a truth that many of us in the diaspora feel deeply—there are more Kānaka living outside of Hawaiʻi than within it. Many of us have been displaced for economic reasons, but that does not make us any less Hawaiian.
“We have lots of Kānaka who don’t live in Hawaiʻi. In fact, today there are more Kānaka living elsewhere than there are in Hawaiʻi.”
Rather than seeing this as a loss, Julian encouraged us to recognize the strength in our shared experiences. He highlighted how Kānaka in the diaspora naturally seek each other out, building community and preserving culture in new ways.
“I see Kānaka in the diaspora seeking each other out for support in living the life of being Kānaka.”
His words remind us that being Hawaiian is not about proximity to Hawaiʻi—it is about how we choose to live our culture and support one another, no matter where we are.
Julian Ako’s wisdom is an invaluable resource for all of us navigating life in the diaspora. His words challenge us to reclaim our identity with pride, to stand in our sovereignty, and to strengthen the connections that keep our culture alive.
We encourage you to watch the full discussion and explore more insights here:
For more conversations about the Hawaiian diaspora experience, visit Hawaiian Diaspora or follow us on Instagram @HawaiianDiaspora. Mahalo for reading!