Hawaii plans quiet, sobering 50th anniversary

[CatWoman]

Guess they don't want to be overrun with nuts and loons, aka the "birthers".

Didn't they say that Hawaii wasn't a part of the U.S.? :rofl:

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/hawaii-plans-116722.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Probably, but even more, the sensitivity towards native Hawaiians

The history of American settlement of Hawaii paralleled our horrific treatment of Native Americans. There is a very unglorious imperialistic history that the State probably would prefer to underplay, particularly since there are still issues pending.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. That has little to do with anything in Hawaii

The Kanaka Maoli are like birthers and deathers. No one takes them serious, not should they.

If they want the old ways restored, they will be under the absolute rule of Princess Kekau Kawanakoa, who is quite active in Hawaiian issues.

[atreides1]

4. Maybe

But it's been reported that her claims are "questionable"?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Not by anyone credible. The Kawanakoas are the surviving royal family and she is the most direct

descendant.

The truth is the Kanaka Maoli and other groups want only part of Hawaii restored and they want it under their vision.

[ellisonz]

20. Not exactly...

You do realize Lunalilo and Kalakaua were elected by the Legislative Assembly who were in turn elected by plebiscite.

One does not have to presuppose selection by bloodline to advocate for some form of restoration.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

26. From a bloodline perspective, it is the Kawanakoas

From a political perspective the Hawaiian form of Government is murky. Prior to extensive western contact including missionaries, whalers, and plantations, it was feudal. There are those who claim the reforms, including the 1852 constitutions and the unofficial elections were attempts to mimic the UK monarchy and were somehow improper or at least not genuinely Hawaiian. Its a real problem for some of the Sovereignty bubbas. They want to reject anything not Hawaiian, but can not accept return to near feudal society or even one with constitutional monarchy. I asked one of their leaders about returning to the 1852 Constitution. He said there was no such thing.

[EFerrari]

6. It's not about the royal family but about the disrespect to the people. n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. In what way? The Kanaka Maoli are loons

[EFerrari]

8. When a foreign coup brings down your government

it doesn't make you happy, especially if it wasn't your idea in the first place. It's an insult to your autonomy.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. Few if any are alive and from that timeframe, certainly not the Kanaka Maoli

Having grown up there and being part Hawaiian, I am quite comfortable commenting on my people

[EFerrari]

10. We still celebrate our independence from the British

even though none of us "were there" either.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Whenyou have actual knowledge of the situation in Hawaii, get back to us

[EFerrari]

12. The issue was history, as you can see be rereading the post you responded to.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Actually it was a proffered opinion from atreides1, which while well meant is untrue

I am there, they are my people, and the nuts cases do not speak for me or my ohana

[EFerrari]

15. No one is claiming that nutcases speak for you or anyone.

:)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

23. For those of us from Hawaii its a pretty sensitive issue.

Its really a case of rich vs poor than rights and bloodline there. Very few pure blood Hawaiians left. What there are is a growing number of poorly educated people who will never have much at all. That in the presence of the opulence and abundance of others (locals and tourists) breeds understandably massive resentment. Some times it takes the form of "kill haoles" and other blatant forms of racism against those not considered sufficiently Hawaiian (sound familiar?). Even long standing Hawaiian set asides are now losing in the courts (Kam schools...).

The long term social situation is pretty grim. Dependent on sea and air cargo to feed the population, growing water issues, what remaining good farmland going for development, Hawaii can not be self sufficient at any time in the foreseeable future. The other observation is the brain drain. Obama went to Punahou, historically a top school nationwide. The overwhelming majority of graduates do not stay in Hawaii. Its a clue.

[billh58]

17. I am married

to a beautiful Hawaiian Kanaka Maoli, and in our youth we were both against Statehood in 1959. In the not too distant past, I would have been considered a Loyalist, and remain highly sympathetic to the Hawaiian people, and the rights they are entitled too.

I respect your disdain for the Kanaka Maoli, but if you are truly of Hawaiian descent, where is your aloha, and your sense of pono? Why are native Alaskans, and Native Americans entitled to special considerations that Hawaiians are not?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. Its hard to have aloha for those who have physically threatened and attacked members of my ohana

over this issue.

The status of native Hawaiians, including myself, does not seem to fit nicely into the same mold as Native Americans. Which tribe has Kam schools for education and Bishop Estate supporting them? Also the larger Hawaiian ohana is far from united. Just look at the fight over returned artifacts. I am not a royalist, but there are times I wonder is appointing the Princess as head of state would at least get things moving. If she was given the full power of the Kapu, we would not have to worry about the bully boys in the red shirts for long.

[billh58]

25. Thanks for the

clarification, and please don't get me wrong: neither my wife, nor I, agree with the Bumpy Kanahele approach, or the militancy of some in the Soverignty movement. What we would both like to see, however, is some sort of official cultural recognition, and a return of more homestead lands to OHA, or a similar Hawaiian representative agency. I remember many years ago during a conversation with Kahuanu Lake, as I was bemoaning the loss of Hawaiian lands to "missionaries," he told me: "Being Hawaiian is not in the aina, but in the heart." On the other hand, my son can not afford to buy a home on Maui, and will have to wait for me to die to get our property in Makawao...;-)

Princess Pauahi Bishop's will and legacy have indeed been a blessing for her people. Has Quentin Kawananakoa given up his claim to the throne? I remember there was a big stink when Abigail sat on the throne during a photo shoot.

Take care, and aloha no.

[AngryAmish]

27. It was a monarchy.

[KamaAina]

16. I thought "kanaka maoli" simply meant "native people"

The Kanaka Maoli are like birthers and deathers.

Is there a specific group using that name? Certainly some Hawaiian groups fall into the birther/deather category, like the ones who occupied 'Iolani Palace last year -- but many other native Hawaiians don't, up to and including Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka (D).

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. Its actually more than that...its used by the fringe elements and they really annoyed when the rest

of us point out exactly what you did. Da red shirts

[Taverner]

2. Of course Hawaii isn't part of the US to them!

It has too many brown skinned folks!

Unless they're military, they aren't real 'Muricans

[EFerrari]

14. We went on honeymoon there in 1976.

Then new hubby and I paid in cash for everything because we were kids with no credit card. lol

It would be nice to go back for a visit. It was so beautiful. :)

[ellisonz]

19. I just might have to go protest...

[Haole Girl]

21. It's no laughing matter to those who had their land stolen from them. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

22. No one is laughing, but no one should take much of the so called sovereignty movement seriously.

If you recall, the Hawaiian people had no land, it was all owned by the ali'i. If by some miracle the clock was rolled back and Hawaii was restored to its independent status and before Christian missionaries arrived, the Hawaiian people would have much less than they have today in terms of rights.