This article was first published in Small World Ezine on 9 September 2002 with author's permision.
| HAWAI`I: OUR STRUGGLE CONTINUES by Susan Rosier As I sit this morning listening to the music of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Brudda IZ), I cannot help but think about the injustices done to the Nation of Hawai`i in the unlawful acquisition of the islands as a 'territory of the United States". You didn't know Pae`aina o Hawai`i Loa (Hawaiian nation) was forced to become a part of the United States? Well, it happened over a hundred years ago. Let me tell you the shocking story: It is said the the love of money is the root of all evil. Evil is what happened in Honolulu in the 1893 overthrow by a small group of greedy non-Hawaiian residents with the aid of the U.S. minister and American troops. Sugar!! It is strange that sugar was at the bottom of it all. One hundred years later, sugar is also at the heart of the economic demise of Hawai`i Nei. The only island that still processes sugar is Maui. All other island mills have been shut down leaving the poorest of poor without means of support other than relying on the land or the illegal U.S. government....most have chosen the land! Chosing to be without a house they live on the beaches. People call them homeless; but they adamantly declare that Hawai`i is their 'home'; it a house and their land that they lack. While the haole (foreigners) today profit in Hawai`i, most native citizens still suffer economically and emotionally from the overthrow of their Queen. A group of 'businessmen' sought to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawai`i so the should profit from the sale of sugar. These men held Queen Liliuokalani captive for days. Under the threat of the US military and the frightful thought of the bloodshed of her people, she wrote the following statement: "I, Liliuokalani, by the grace of God and under the constitution of the Hawai`ian Kingdom, Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself and the constitutional Government of the Hawai`ian Kingdom by certain persons claiming to have established a Provisional Government of and for this Kingdom. That I yield to the superior force of the United States of America, whose minister plenipotentiary, his excellency John L. Stevens, has caused United States troops to be landed at Honolulu and declared that he would support the Provisional Government. Now, to avoid and collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do, under this protest, and impelled by said force, yield my authority until such time as the Government of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo the action of its representative and reinstate me and the authority which I claim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawai`ian Islands." One can only imagine what went through the mind of Queen Liliokalani as this group of greedy men held her captive. Afraid for the lives of her people, she surrendered. And thus Hawai`i came under the jurisdiction of the United States of America. In a message to Congress on December 18, 1893, President Grover Cleveland reported fully and accurately on the illegal acts of the conspirators, described such acts as an "act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress". http://www.hawaii-nation.org/cleveland.html He appealed to congress to reinstate the Hawai`ian Monarchy. Yet the illegal occupation of the Sovereign Nation continued. The events that followed were even sadder! These power hungry aliens with the continued threat of the US Navy were now free to take whatever they wanted; and they did. As an example: You may have heard of Waikiki and thought of a vast bay of white sand and gentle waves. Waikiki is a family name. The land belonged to a family. It was taken by United States citizens....the family of Waikiki was thrown off their land; some forced to work in the sugar cane fields. Field workers were recruited from other nations....China, Japan, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and more sent their workers to the land of prosperity - the islands of Hawaii which were now a part of the United States. They came accepting an opportunity for the freedoms that living in the US is supposed to bring. Hawai`ians had no such freedoms. They were not even allowed to speak in their native tongue (a very basic freedom in the United States - freedom of speech). The Hawai`ian language and ancient ways are alive today because they were handed down by the Kapuna (elders) through the chants and dances the world finds fascinating. Under the disguise of Christianity, they were forced to live in the white man's way. Missionaries came to 'convert' them. When in reality Hawai`ian Spirituality supercedes Christianity, and the basic tenants of both belief systems are the same. These same first missionary families are multimillionaires today....money made by the sweat of the poor people of Hawai`i (and others who now came from many nations to make them rich.) You've heard the name of Dole as it relates to pineapple. Samuel Dole was one of the key figures who held our Queen captive. Now you know how Dole Pineapple made it's money - through thievery and deceit. He is not the only one. It is no wonder Hawai`i cries for it's independence! You can hear it in the music. You can feel it in the attitudes of our youth. You can see it in the apology of the United States issued by President Clinton in 1993. Excerpts from Apology Resolution - Public Law (103-150), S. J. Res. 19: "To acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai`i, and to offer an apology to Native Hawai`ians on behalf of the United States for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai`i. Whereas, prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1778, the Native Hawai`ian people lived in a highly organized, self- sufficient, subsistent social system based on communal land tenure with a sophisticated language, culture, and religion; Whereas, from 1826 until 1893, the United States recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Hawai`i, extended full and complete diplomatic recognition to the Hawai`ian Government, and entered into treaties and conventions with the Hawai`ian monarchs to govern commerce and navigation... Whereas, on January 14, 1893... the United States Minister assigned to the sovereign and independent Kingdom of Hawai`i conspired with a small group of non-Hawai`ian residents of the Kingdom of Hawai`i, including citizens of the United States, to overthrow the indigenous and lawful Government of Hawai`i;..." http://www.hawaii-nation.org/united-independence.html Yet the apology is only a piece of paper; nothing has been acted upon. I suppose because it would be 'unprofitable' to allow Hawai`i to once again become an independent nation. Slowly the world is coming to know the truth. Many countries have recognized Pae`aina o Hawai`i Loa (Hawaiian nation). Although not recognized by the American government, the Kingdom of Hawai`i still has it's King, Majesty Akahi Nui (a direct decendant of the Monarchy), reigning over this 'nation within the US'. Aloha means hello; Aloha means goodbye; but most of all, Aloha means love. We extend our Aloha to the people of this earth, can you extend your love back to us in accepting Hawai'i as the sovereign nation that it actually is? The next time you hear the word Aloha, please remember Hawai`ians in your thoughts and prayers. As our flag so aptly puts it: "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka `Aina I Ka Pono" The Life/Sovereignty of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness! And so our struggle continues.... ~~~~********~~~~********~~~~******** Susan Rosier is a resident of the island of Maui, Kingdom of Hawai`i. Although not Hawai`ian by birth, she understands the need of indigenous Hawai`ians to reclaim their birthright. You may contact her with your questions: mailto:_Susan@mynahnews.com For a lighter view of Hawai`i, try her newsletter written by a Mynah Bird named Hugo: mailto:_mynahnewsfrommaui-subscribe@mynahnews.com
Nucha's Notes: Surprised me, though, that the cry for independence is this |
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