05/30/2022
Senator Alice Kamokilaikawai Campbell was a notable force in Hawai‘i and the strongest Hawaiian opponent of statehood. In these difficult territorial years, Kamokila's actions continued to breathe life in the spirit of aloha ‘āina. Her statements against statehood would foretell Kanaka voices today seeking greater rights and autonomy for Kanaka Maoli who -- through historical injustices -- have been forced to live in the construct of the State of Hawai‘i and the United States.
Kamokila Campbell served as a territorial senator representing Maui County from 1942 – 1946, and became Democratic national committeewoman.
In January 1948, Campbell filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Hawaiʻi Statehood Commission's financing (Campbell v. Stainback et al.).[8] The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled unanimously in her favor saying that public funds could not be used for lobbying and publicity for statehood.
Her political career suffered because of her outspoken criticism of the powerful corporations of the Big Five. She unsuccessfully ran for reelection in 1948, 1954, and 1958. In February 1960 Campbell reported to the Hawaiʻi State Senate that Pele had appeared to her in a vision, and that the goddess had asked, "Now that we are at the crisis of our destiny are we to fall into oblivion?"; the remarks were entered into the official Hawaiʻi State Senate record.
—kamakakoi.org