Haunani-Kay Trask
#womenshistoryProfiles
Haunani-Kay Trask was a highly respected Native Hawaiian activist, scholar, poet, and author known for her advocacy for Native Hawaiian rights, sovereignty, and the preservation of Hawaiian culture. Born in San Francisco, she was raised in Hawai’i and is of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, and Caucasian descent. Her multicultural background deeply influenced her identity and activism.
Trask received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and went on to pursue graduate studies in political science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees.
Throughout her career, Trask was a vocal critic of the United States’ colonial occupation of Hawai’i and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about issues affecting Native Hawaiians. She was involved in various social and political movements, advocating for land rights, environmental conservation, and indigenous sovereignty. Trask also served on numerous boards and committees dedicated to advancing the rights and interests of Native Hawaiians and indigenous peoples globally.
As a professor emerita of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Trask contributed significantly to the academic discourse on colonialism, nationalism, feminism, and indigenous rights. Her writings often blended personal experiences with rigorous academic analysis, reflecting her commitment to decolonization and social justice. Some of her notable works include From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai’i and Lovely Hula Hands: Corporate Tourism and the Prostitution of Hawaiian Culture.
In addition to her scholarly work, Trask was a celebrated poet and performer. Her poetry explores themes of identity, resistance, and the enduring spirit of indigenous cultures. Trask’s poetry collections, including Light in the Crevice Never Seen and Night Is a Sharkskin Drum, have received acclaim for their powerful and evocative expression of the Native Hawaiian experience.
Trask passed away from cancer in 2021. She is remembered as a highly respected voice for Native Hawaiian sovereignty and cultural preservation, inspiring future generations of activists, scholars, and artists.