Hawaiʻi Statehood

Celebrated on August 15

In 1897 the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi was illegally annexed by the United States.  This was a result of the coup by the United States in 1893 which led to the abdication of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the loss of Hawaiʻiʻs sovereignty.  While there were attempts to defend Hawaiʻiʻs independence there was a movement in Washington DC to annex Hawaiʻi to the United States.  Hawaiian patriotic leagues began a petition opposing the annexation of Hawaiʻi.  They collected over 38,000 signatures of Hawaiians, an estimated 95% of the population, opposing the annexation.  Presented with the facts of the illegal overthrow and the opposition of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi citizenry, including the Queen herself, President Grover Cleveland vowed to oppose any bill for annexation.  The bill for annexation was later overwhelmingly opposed and did not pass.

There has never been a legal treaty of annexation between the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.  Later, despite the lack of formal treaty, the US legislature passed a resolution annexing Hawaiʻi to the US. Queen Liliʻuokalani continued to advocate for the return of the Hawaiian kingdom throughout the rest of her life.  She died in 1917 after witnessing a sweeping change in the population, culture, economy and lifestyle of her kingdom.  The petition bearing the names of 38,000 Hawaiians that opposed the loss of kingdom status was buried in the US National archives until 1998 when it was returned to Hawaiʻi.

In 1959 Hawaiʻi became the 50th state, however, many native Hawaiians who believe that the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi should be restored continue to fight for sovereignty.  In 1993 a formal apology for the illegal overthrow was signed by President Clinton.  It acknowledges that Hawaiians never relinquished their land.  Despite this acknowledgment Hawaiians continue to struggle to maintain their language, culture and lifestyle.  As Hawaiʻiʻs statehood is celebrated on August 15, there must be an  acknowledgement of the history of loss and oppression.  There should also be appreciation for the successful efforts to restore Hawaiian as the language of the people and  reemergance of the brilliance of Hawaiian navigation, hula, lifestyle, and practices.