May 1974. Two years before the first protest landing on Kahoolawe. George Ariyoshi was serving as governor but would not face election until later in the year. Hawaiians and part-Hawaiians were becoming increasing restive and politically active, with long-term problems of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands becoming key issues for many.

And then there was Sonny Kaniho, veteran and retired Pearl Harbor shipyard worker. Kaniho had been on the Hawaiian Homes waiting list for nearly two decades without being awarded any land, while watching large parcels being leased to some of the state's largest landowners.

Perhaps an unlikely activist, Kaniho began a campaign of civil disobedience. In April 1974, Kaniho issued a public statement claiming land that had been leased to Parker Ranch. That lease had lapsed, and Kaniho stepped up to oppose and used direct action to block its extension.

I was lucky enough to be invited to join Kaniho and supporters a month later when he moved to occupy this piece of pasture land in Waimea on the island of Hawaii. These are my photos of that day.