Hawaiian Woman Confronts White People Setting Up Event On Sacred Beach

September 17, 2021, 8:26 am

A Hawaiian woman identified as Megan Wong recently confronted a group of white people who were illegally setting up a barbecue on the sacred Hawaiian grounds of Hanakapi’ai Beach, located on Kaua’i Island.

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Although the trespassers left in the end, they put up a lot of argument and resistance before that. Video of the interaction went viral.

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It’s difficult to imagine the mindset of someone who knowingly comes onto land they don’t own and then completely ignores the rules of the community that lives there. And, in the context of Western history, it’s really not a great look for white people. Especially when the land in question belongs to Indigenous people.

In the video, Wong approaches the group from the yacht named “just b,” telling them their setup is illegal without a permit. They try to persuade Wong to stop recording them. Wong responds that she’s allowed to record in a public space and that their trespassing is disrespectful.

The people she is speaking to, it turns out, are employees of people who are still on the yacht. Once given this information, Wong says, she reached out to the yacht owners.

“They say they really respect our culture and our people,” she says, “but this is not respectful.”

“How is it not respectful?” someone asks her.

“Because it’s illegal,” Wong says. “You need permits to do any kind of activities [here].”

The employees tell Wong that they’ll make some calls to verify whether or not they need a permit.

“Yeah,” Wong replies, “Make some calls and pack it up.”

A bit later in the video, as the contentious interaction continues, Wong explains to the white folx point-blank: “These are sacred places, you don’t just do this.”

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The male employee Wong has been speaking with then refuses to start packing up their belongings without calling the yacht first. Wong calls out to people near the water to call Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the government office that fines beach trespassers. The drama continues into a second video.

PART II: Illegal Event at Hanakapi’ai Beach Kaua’iThis shows the interaction between the bosses and the koa wahine – Megan – from Kaua’i. These Malihini we’re trying to set up a party on Hānakapi’ai beach. Their yacht is called “just b”. The Malihini tried a slew of lies and tactics luckily the Kia’i knew her stuff:1. They wanted to pretend they have a permit. 2. They said they would lose their jobs.3. They wanted to speak to the “real” rangers as they packed up their stuff.4. They questioned the kia’i’s authority.5. They tried to pretend their hands were tied.Information IS power.HOW IT ENDED: They did leave. They had agreed to meet with kupuna but then backed out and said they couldn’t and left at 6am this morning.

Posted by Healani Sonoda-Pale on Thursday, September 2, 2021

In the second video, the man tells Wong, “If I pack all this up, I lose my job.”

Wong warns him at that point that it would be better for the company and his employers to pack up their things and leave now, rather than be given a citation by DLNR for their unauthorized presence on the sacred ground.

The employees respond that it would actually be better for them to deal with DLNR because they’re an “official” establishment. At this point, Wong explains that she runs a community non-profit organization that protects indigenous sacred lands.

“I was born and raised here, and we have generations from here,” Wong explains, as one of the employees turns and walks away from her. Still, Wong continues, “We are the eyes and ears that watch out for things like this.”

Unable to reach the yacht, allegedly due to lack of signal, the employees decide to continue their event setup.

“What’s the damage we’re going to do here?” the man asks Wong, as though she hasn’t already explained they’re on sacred ground, protected by the government, without a permit.

“Being here,” Wong says forcefully. “No one can do this, it’s illegal to have weddings here, to set up tables, chairs—all of it is illegal. But you’re completely disrespecting our rules.”

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According to social media posts of those who were involved, the company ultimately did leave, and the event did not take place. They also agreed to meet with custodial representatives of the sacred ground; then, ultimately, reneged without explanation and left at 6 AM the next day.

The internet was unimpressed.

Some said that the yacht’s flag was suggestive of people with money and power who feel entitled to what isn’t theirs.

Most commenters expressed support, even gratitude, for the stand that the women took—and to express disgust with the behavior of the people trespassing on hallowed ground.

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Eventually, Wong herself weighed in. After she provided details, people continued to make comments thanking her for her efforts to protect the sacred land.

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*First Published: September 17, 2021, 8:26 am