Haunani-kay Trask was a native Hawaiian whose main passion was her activist work opposing the continued colonialism of Hawaii by the United States. This passion drove her to teach at the University of Hawaii, where she helped establish the Center for Hawaiian Studies, and to write both scholarly books and poetry. She never minced her words as she spoke out against Americans and the tourism that overwhelmed her home. She lifted her voice across the world, representing native Hawaiians in various global forums, including the United Nations.

A former student of hers, who also became a professor at the University of Hawaii, described Haunani-kay as “one of the most influential, prominent, and internationally renowned Hawaiian scholars and activists of the 20th and early 21st centuries.”

In Honolulu in 1993, she gave a powerful speech where she spoke out strongly against Americans to her fellow protestors. At one point, she said, “I am so proud to be angry. I am so proud to be a Hawaiian.”