DR. DAVID KEANU SAI
COURSES TAUGHT:
POLS 110-"Introduction to Political Science"
The main objective of this course will be to help the student better understand the political world. The course attempts to link the central analytic concepts of political science that have emerged over decades of research to the realities of the political world in the early twenty-first century. Using contemporary and some historical evidence, the book emphasizes empirical research that illuminates the processes and structures of politics. The level of analysis ranges from the individual's political beliefs and actions through the politics of groups and states to the dynamics of the international system. This course asks the student to assess whether it is possible and useful to develop generalizations about political phenomena. It combines attention to systematic descriptive analysis—the what questions—with efforts to explain underlying patterns—the why and how questions. And students are continually reminded that they must consider the important normative questions that are embedded in most issues about politics. Many topics are also presented in a manner that encourages the student to think like a political scientist—to structure questions and assess evidence in order to make inferences.
POLS 120-"Introduction to World Politics"
In this course you will be introduced to the politics of the world from Hawai`i's view. Contemporary courses taught on this subject have not viewed Hawai`i as part of world politics, rather it has been subsumed in U.S. politics. What many people fail to realize is that Hawai`i has a history of being an internationally recognized player in world politics since 1843. By 1893, Hawai`i had over 90 Legations and Consulates throughout the world, and is presently reemerging as an international player. But before we engage world politics from this view we need to have a basic understanding of international law and theory. International laws helps to clarify what are the institutions and who are the players in world politics, while theory helps us understand the behavior of these players and their interaction with one another. With this backdrop we will then look at world politics through Hawai`i's view from the 19th century to the present.
POLS 130-"Introduction to American Politics"
The objective of this course is to explore the political conditions under which the United States government was able to come into existence and sustain itself to date. We will cover the development of American political history and governance through sources that have helped construct a conventional American foundational and ideological narrative providing us with a uniquely American form of governance.
HWST 107-"Hawai`i Center of the Pacific"
Hawaiian Studies is a survey of the Pacific Island areas of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, their various origins, geography, languages, religions, histories, and modern development as seen through the cultural lens of the Hawaiian people. This course, however, will center around Hawaiʻi and its own internal historical and cultural complexity. Hawaiʻi is one of the most unique places in the world today. There are a multitude of people living in Hawaiʻi with a multitude of interests and influences, resulting in a multitude of expropriations. However, there remains a singular root reaching back to time immemorial who are the life blood of this ʻāina (land), the Kānaka or aboriginal Hawaiians. Therefore, the overarching focus of this course will be on preserving the perspective of the Hawaiian people, and is through this perspective that we will be learning, or relearning, all of the intricate facets that make up Hawaiian history. Hawaiian Studies, then, is the study of things Hawaiian through the eyes of the Hawaiian people.
Book, "Brief History of the Hawaiian People." Hawaiian Kingdom Board of Education, 1891.
Book, "American Occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom: Beginning the Transition from Occupied to Restored State." Doctoral dissertation, University of Hawai`i at Manoa (Political Scienc), 2008.
Article, "Establishing an Acting Regency." November 28, 2009 (unpublished).
Federal Complaint, "Sai v. Obama, et al." June 1, 2010 (U.S. District Court, Washington, D.C.)
HWST 297-"Introduction to the Hawaiian Kingdom"
A legal and political analysis of the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom reveals that Hawai`i existed as an independent and sovereign State since 1842, and has been illegally occupied by the United States of America for over a century. Despite the occupation and seemingly incorporation of Hawai'i as the 50th State of the American Union in 1959, Hawai`i continues to remain an independent and sovereign State under international law. In this course we will be applying the science of politics approach in order to understand the domestic and international relations of the Hawaiian Kingdom, especially those events that transpired between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the United States of America since January 16, 1893. We will be incorporating appropriate political and legal theories as well as recognized principles of international relations and law that existed in the 19th century to the present so that we will be able to critically analyze and revisit those political and legal events that have drastically altered present day understandings of Hawai`i
ANTH 399/699-"Hawaiian Land Titles"
This course will provide the student a working knowledge of Hawaiian land tenure in 19th century Hawai`i. Crucial to this knowledge is an understanding of real property, in particular, the common law. Knowing terminology, laws and customs as they relate to real property are vital and it provides a theoretical framework before delving into the function and role of the Board of Commissioners to Quiet Land Titles, the 1848 Great Mahele, and the 1850 Kuleana Act. The student will also develop a working knowledge of the Bureau of Conveyances, the Archives, Land Court and other repositories concerning landed property. By the end of the course the student should be able to do a basic title abstract that can trace property today to the original title under Kamehameha I.
ANTH 750D-"Introduction to the Hawaiian State"
A legal and political analysis of the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom reveals that Hawai'i existed as an independent state since 1842, and has been illegally occupied by the United States of America for over a century. Notwithstanding the occupation and seemingly incorporation of Hawai'i as the 50th federal state of the American Union in 1959, Hawai'i continues to remain an independent state under international law. In this course we will be applying the science of politics approach in order to understand the domestic and international relations of the Hawaiian Kingdom, especially those events that transpired between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the United States of America since January 16, 1893. We will be incorporating appropriate political theories and recognized principles of international relations and law that existed in the 19th century to date so that we will be able to critically analyze and revisit those political events that have drastically altered present day understandings of Hawai`i.