On April 2, 2026, Ka Huli Ao hosted Maoli Thursday Ua Ao Hawaiʻi: Paths of Resistance at the Intersection of ʻĀina and Racial Justice. The event brought together poet and climate envoy Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner of the Marshall Islands and legal scholar Professor Emeritus Charles Lawrence III for a conversation that moved fluidly between personal narrative, structural critique, and cultural resilience.

A key theme throughout the event was the enduring impact of U.S. nuclear weapons testing in the Marshall Islands, an ongoing legacy of displacement, environmental devastation, and profound injustice. These histories are inseparable from contemporary conversations about climate change, migration, underscoring how colonial and military actions continue to reverberate across generations.

Some of the poetry shared addressed discrimination faced by Micronesian communities, particularly in Hawaiʻi. The discussion challenged common misconceptions about Micronesian communities, particularly around resource use and migration. Such prejudicial narratives often ignore the broader political context, such as the Compact of Free Association, which shapes migration patterns and access to federal support. By isolating blame onto specific communities, larger systemic issues are obscured. From harmful stereotypes to dismissive attitudes, these experiences shape how communities see themselves. When a group is repeatedly told they are “too small” or insignificant, that narrative can begin to take hold internally, reinforcing cycles of marginalization rather than breaking them.

Jetñil-Kijiner’s reflections offered her perspective on her role as a global climate negotiator. She introduced the idea of using a “nice voice”—a deliberate, calm mode of communication that centers clarity and purpose rather than anger. This approach doesn’t ignore urgency or injustice; instead, it simply reframes how those truths are delivered. It becomes a strategy for survival and advocacy to accomplish securing the needs of the Marshall Islands.

At the same time, she acknowledged the emotional toll of this work. Negotiating climate policy on the world stage while witnessing ongoing environmental and cultural loss can feel dehumanizing. Yet, despite these challenges, there always remains a commitment to community. Whether speaking at international forums or organizing local relief efforts during floods, the work always continues

Even in the face of loss of land, language, and life there must be a persistent thread of hope. Cultural knowledge, poetry, and storytelling remain tools for resistance and renewal. As Jetñil-Kijiner suggested, not everything is gone. There are always strands to pick up, lessons to carry forward, and futures still worth fighting for.