Robert Lindsey

Sonny Kaniho Robert Lindsey

Sonny Kaniho: A Profile in Hawaiian Courage chronicles Sonny's labor of aloha (love) to bring about change and reform within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), an institution created by the US Congress in 1920 to return Hawaiians to the 'aina (land), 'aina stolen from us when our beloved Queen Lili'uokalani was overthrown by a coup instigated by US Minister Stevens and thirteen American businessmen with support from armed marines stationed aboard the USS Boston.

DHHL (past) rather than serve its primary beneficiaries on a burgeoning waiting list for homesteads instead served large, well-financed, politically connected corporations. And Sonny was a victim of that practice. Through his courageous protest, Sonny brought that practice to an end. DHHL (present) is a better institution because of Sonny's efforts.

This is a story about how this quiet, soft-spoken, peaceful, unassuming, gentle Hawaiian brought about the change he desired for the good of thousands. May we always remember Sonny Alohalani Kaniho.