Native Hawaiians in Maui have spent decades fighting for their water rights as the state has diverted water for special interests. After the devastating fires ripped through Maui, Native Hawaiians say they are being blamed for the spread of the fire .
One of the deadliest wildfires of the 21st century devastated the island of Maui, Hawai‘i this month. Many fear that this is the beginning of a land grab that will not only displace families, but also erase Hawaiian culture. For many Native Hawaiians, the fear over the land grab is deeply rooted in their history, dating at least to 1893, when the independent Kingdom of Hawai‘i was overthrown for political and financial gain by American and foreign businessmen.