The political message underlying last week's Hawaii celebration outside the White House was clear: The island state wants out of the union.

A handful of activists kept the mood light as they passed out literature about the island's unique heritage and past independence. They celebrated Restoration Day — a Hawaiian holiday that celebrates Great Britain's departure and, for some, suggests the U.S. do the same — in good spirit.

But their movement to free Hawaii is a serious one, albeit unlikely. They opposeefforts by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to get native Hawaiians the same legal status as Native Americans, seeking complete independence instead.

"I don't think it will happen in my lifetime, but those of us who feel so passionate about the wrong that was done will keep working to educate others," said Al Ku'ahi Wong, director of East Coast operations for the advocacy group Koani Foundation.

Hawaii isn't the only state whose citizens believe the U.S. is occupying it unfairly. Secession movements persist to this day in border states like Texas, Vermont, Alaska, and parts of New York.

The Supreme Court ruled in the years following the Civil War that it is illegal for states to secede from the union, but that hasn't stopped people from trying it.

The town of Kinney, Minnesota , deflected in 1977 to protest Washington's growing foreign aid – and try to secure some for itself. Residents marked three decades of independence in 2007. Activists in Missouri and Wisconsinmade similar announcements in the '60s to draw attention to their causes.

Much more common is the call to create a new state or move a region from one state to the other. The coastal cities of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia have proposed a 51st state called "Delmarva."

The gripe is often the same – that the government hasn't fairly represented the interests of the local population – but the various groups demanding secession run across the political spectrum.

Vermont's push for independence stems from opposition to war policies that began under President Bush, while Texan secessionists complained last year about having to pay for the health care overhaul.

The motivation differs slightly in Alaska and Hawaii, which have always had a secessionist impulse driven by their distances from Washington and local cultures.

"The idea is, 'We're so remote from the mainland that we should really be doing things our way,'" Paul Starobin, author of "After America: Narratives for the Next Global Age," said.

Starobin takes the threat of secession seriously, and believes that the nation-state model is becoming less relevant.

"There's a lot of signs in the post-Industrial world that small can work quite well. Look at Singapore or some of the small states in Europe," he said. "It's often the large and the big that breaks down."

His writing on the topic has sparked interest in Arizona, where some citizens are upset that the federal government is interfering with a local immigration enforcement law.

Starobin admits that the chance of any state seceding is slim, but he says it's important to note the growing spirit of independence.

On New York's Long Island, one man has been leading the effort to inculcate that spirit in his community.

Cesidio Tallini officially declared his sovereignty movement for the entire island, including future capital Brooklyn, three years ago. He flies a blue and orange flagthat he hopes at least 10 percent of his neighbors will one day recognize.

"I'm realistic. I realize we don't really have a country here," Tallini said. "But if they start seeing that flag as their flag, we have started a national culture that doesn't exist."

Tallini began his efforts to separate from the "unholy trinity" of New York City, the state government, and the federal forces in D.C. online.

He laid claim to the ".ili" domain for Independent Long Island – much like British users can get a ".uk" address instead of the usual ".com." The group has since tried to set up banking institutions and wind and solar energy projects to become more self-sufficient.

"Once upon a time it was 'We the people,'" Tallini said of the United States. "Now basically the entities that control the process are corporations."

Like most of the secessionist movements, the effort remains small. Tallini recently signed on his 30th member – a 13-year-old girl he isn't sure should count since she doesn't meet his nation's definition of an adult for another year.

Long Island may never be its own country, but the Hawaiians who celebrated Restoration Day outside the White House believe their goals are achievable.

"We're reclaiming our national identity and, in turn, hoping that others will recognize it too," activist Kris Kato said.

Ambreen Ali writes for Congress.org.

Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.