A debate has sparked over singing Hawai'i Pono'i, the Pledge of Allegiance, or neither. /Creative Commons 

On January 17, 1893, the U.S. military overthrew the Kingdom of Hawai’i with the help of the Committee of Safety, which was created by Sanford Dole. Stanford Dole's family were missionaries who came to Hawaii to spread Christianity and ended up staying. In Stanford Dole's upbringing, he wanted to trade sugar with the U.S which ultimately caused the overthrow and loss of the Hawaiian language. The overthrow didn’t just discourage the Hawaiian people; it caused a loss in language, practices, and lifestyles. Therefore Hawai’i Pono’i today is sung and holds lots of emotions for the Hawaiian people.

On September 8, 1893, Francis Bellamy published the Pledge of Allegiance in “The Youth Companion”. Francis Bellamy wanted and believed that this would unite the nation and help kids have a better understanding of what our nation is about. Later in 1954, President Eisenhower changed the Pledge of Allegiance; that was to add “under God”. This created the Pledge of Allegiance that we know and sing today.

In the Hawaii News Now Op-Ed, it talks about a Hawaii island mother who stirs up a conversation on whether students have to sing the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawai'i Pono’i or be able to sit out. This article states, “It was pretty upsetting because, for me, it’s a type of indoctrination that I don’t take part in, and it should be a choice. And parents should be advised during the enrollment process that it is something that the school participates in, Kihoi said”. “The school has respected their decision to sit out. In a statement, the Hawaii State Department of Education said: "Students cannot be compelled to take part in the pledge or anthem if they or their parents object on religious, political or other grounds."

In the Liberty Flagpoles Op-Ed, it talks about why students should sing the Pledge of Allegiance in school and the importance. This article states, "One of the reason why students should partake in saying the pledge is that it helps them gain a deeper respect for the American Flag".

I feel like students shouldn’t be forced to sing the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawai’I Pono’i, but to have the option of whether to sing it if they want to. I feel this way because people's religion and beliefs could be affected in some ways because of the long history and tension between the Hawaiian people and America. Even though lots of people can disagree with this, people should be able to express their opinion freely without being judged in school or other places. I also disagree a little with the Liberty Flagpoles article because i feel as though, yes, it can give people a deeper respect for the American Flag, but students should be taught the history of why we sing the Pledge of allegiance,.

In conclusion, students shouldn't be forced to sing the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawai’i Pono’i. This is because of the beliefs and respect of others. Being forced to sing something can cause problems within your state, nation, or even within yourself.