Historical amnesia: The US–South Africa shift

The executive order, in the view of this blogger, therefore, dismisses the United States’ long history and the bonds we share with South Africa. It opts for quick fixes of things that are not seen as true on the ground or in analysis by those watching it from far away.

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Imperial echoes: Renaming and its forgotten consequences

While the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico may seem like a symbolic gesture, it reflects a broader pattern of asserting dominance through acts of rebranding. The reversion of Denali to Mount McKinley, however, strikes closer to home for Native Hawaiians, as it underscores the painful legacies of U.S. expansionism.

President McKinley’s legacy in Hawai‘i is inseparable from the annexation of the islands during the Spanish-American War, a land grab that also included the Philippines and Cuba. For many Native Hawaiians, McKinley is not a figure of greatness but a symbol of stolen sovereignty—a leader who absorbed their homeland into the United States without consent, perpetuating the broader narrative of American imperialism

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From holidays to headlines: Politics Hawaii talks 2025 with KHON

As Hawaii transitions out of the holiday season and into the new year, Politics Hawaii with Stan Fichtman was once again featured on KHON 2 News, sharing insights (or mana’o) on the key issues to watch in 2025.

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After the Election: A New Battle for the Nation’s Future

Beyond a single ad or one organization, there’s a broader, ongoing effort to hold the administration accountable—a watchdog that will continue to keep a close eye on the White House. The conflicts that divide this country, from civil rights to indigenous, religious, and federal land issues, won’t simply disappear just because the political landscape shifts.

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A quiet election with some big shifts – tidbits from the results

The 2024 General Election may have seemed like a typical, low-key local affair, but it delivered a few surprises that weren’t exactly on anyone’s radar before November 5.

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Financial Strain in Hawaiʻi : The SMS Update and Key Lessons for Local Businesses on Navigating Procurement Challenges

The key question emerging from the shutdown of SMS is whether Hawaiʻi’s government and private entities are helping or harming local firms through their procurement rules and procedures when hiring local firms for consulting and other work. Additionally, it raises the issue of whether the “buy local” philosophy is genuinely supported by these rules.

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