HAWAIIAN SOVEREIGNTY (a historical approach) I am Hawaiian. Many people think of "Hawaiian" as a statement of racial identity or geographic origin; i.e. anyone who comes from or lives in Hawaii is Hawaiian. For me, it is much more. Hawaiian is a state of mind and being; it is a statement of historical, cultural and political identity. Ultimately, it defines my loyalty and citizenship in the sovereign nation of Hawaii. To understand how and why I pledge my allegiance to Hawaii only and not to the United States, you will need to know the history of Hawaii, particularly that part dealing with the "annexation" of Hawaii to the United States. You will also have to understand something about growing up in Hawaii and the sense of betrayal and anger one feels at learning the true history of Hawaii. This understanding of history coupled with an understanding of how Hawaii's people were betrayed by being consciously and systematically colonized, brainwashed and killed by the so-called benevolent United States, has led today's movement in Hawaii to restore Hawaii to its status as a free and independent nation. For me, the movement began with the awakening of my spirit when I read Queen Liliuokalani's Hawaii's Story. I read first with curiosity followed by confusion, then much anger and finally resolve of what needed to be done. Here is what I discovered of Hawaii's history. On January 16, 1893, over 160 American marines landed in peaceful Honolulu armed with Gatling gun, Howitzer cannons, double cartridge belts filled with ammunition, carbines and other instruments of war. The protest by Hawaii's Queen that such landing was a breach of treaty and international law was simply ignored. The troops marched along the streets of Honolulu, rifles facing the Queen's palace. The following day, the resident conspirators numbering 18, mostly Americans, sneaked to a government building a few yards from where the American troops lodged the nigh-Yt before. There, an American lawyer who had been a resident of Hawaii less than a year previous proclaimed they were now the government of Hawaii. Calling themselves the "provisional government" and selecting Sanford Dole president, they were to exist for the explicit purpose and until terms could be arranged with the U.S. for annexation. Before the full declaration had been read, the U.S. marines marched into the building to protect and support them. American Minister Plenipotentiary and commander of all U.S. forces in Hawaii, John L. Stevens, gave them immediate recognition as the government of Hawaii as had been planned. He than joined in their demand that the Queen surrender under threat of war with the U.S. To place these events in the proper perspective, one should have a brief background of the nation of Hawaii. Hawaii's story as it appears on these pages is a condensed version of a century of human activities. It is not a substitute for in-depth study but merely a selection and generalization of important points. Direct contact with the writer is encouraged for greater details. Prior to 1892, Hawaii was recognized in the international community as a sovereign nation. As early as the reign of Kamehameha I, (1779 - 1819) Hawaii was among the first to salute Argentina's independence, was trading with China, England and the United States and was generally dealing with nations of the world on a regular basis. These international activities increased and resulted in the signing of treaties and executive agreements with many nations: Italy, France, Russia, Spain, the United States, Japan, England, China and others. By 1882, Hawaii was a member of the International Postal Union and had established as many as 94 diplomatic and consular posts around the world. Immigrants from all parts of the world came to Hawaii, many of whom renounced their former national allegiance and took up Hawaiian citizenship. By 1892, Hawaii was a multi-racial multi-cultural nation of Hawaiians. Early in its exposure to the western world, Hawaii became the focus of Christian zeal. The first flock of missionaries arrived from Boston in 1820, many remained in Hawaii and established homes and families. They were welcomed into Hawaiian society and established a strong hold over the people. As time passed many of these families saw their children leaving the pulpits of the church and entering those of business and politics. After several decades a "missionary" party consisting of an alliance of missionary offsprings and developing business interests arose. Growing and selling sugar developed as the principal business of that party. The missionary party made drastic changes in the traditional form of land tenure. Formerly land was under the trusteeship of the Moi, (ruling chief) of each island. He allotted the lands to his chiefs who reallotted the remaining lands to their followers and supporters. These distributions were revocable but not often done. Under the influence of the missionary party, however, land was parceled out in fee simple estates along the traditions of England and the United States. The Hawaiians, most of whom were unfamiliar with these new laws suffered and lost land. Less than 1% of the land went to 99% of the population. Significantly, foreigners could be landowners in Hawaii. The missionary party was also able to influence immigration policies, importing many laborers to perform the exhausting sugar plantation work upon the lands now controlled by the missionary party. Hawaiians refused to work at the low plantation wages. Now that the missionary party had the land and labor problems overcome, it still had to pin down the last step in this commercial circle - obtaining a secure market for their sugar. The U.S. was the logical market. It was geographically closer to Hawaii than any other major power. Most in the missionary party were citizens of the U.S. and had been in constant communication and trade with the U.S. previously. The problem, however, was the inability to control the Hawaiian government in its foreign affairs. To secure the American market, the missionary party saw only two alternative solutions; reciprocity or annexation. Annexation was preferred however because Reciprocity was tempo- rary and could be revoked at any time. Reciprocity with the United States would permit Hawaiian sugar importation into the U.S. duty free and in return, U.S. products would be imported into Hawaii duty free. As the years passed, the U.S. wanted more than just an exchange of trade rights, it wanted sovereignty over Pearl Harbor to extend its commercial and military arm into the Pacific. The missionary party was unable to control Hawaii's foreign dealings. Kalakaua, the Moi during the period 1874 - 1891, refused to cede Pearl Harbor to another nation. The missionary party, in order to control Hawaii's foreign affairs, began a campaign to discredit Kalakaua through attacks on his character and his lineage. They accused him of being a drunk and a lover of heathenism because he attempted to revitalize the hula and preserve the religious practices of his ancestors. They also branded him a womanizer. His character and his activities were continually berated in the press. But the people rallied around him and remained loyal in the face of these attacks. A second campaign denounced him as a bastard child, fathered by a black barber who had (conveniently for the missionary party) already left Hawaii, claiming Kalakaua was thus not deserving to be a high alii (chief) or a Moi. Hawaiians did not believe them and this rumor was later exposed when the person hired to witness this "fact" admitted missionary party members hired him to spread these rumors. The missionary party, unable to obtain the downfall of Kalakaua through other means secretly formed a league to arm themselves and force the King at gun point if necessary to turn the powers of government over to them. In 1887, under force of arms and threat of death to himself, his supporters and his family, Kalakaua signed the "bayonet" constitution, the name reflecting the method of adoption. This constitution stripped Kalakaua of power. Now with the missionary party in power, they granted the U.S. exclusive right to use Pearl Harbor, receiving in return an extension of 7 years the existing reciprocity treaty which was soon to have expired. The sugar market was temporarily secure. Kalakaua died in 1891 in San Francisco on a trip to recuperate from an illness advanced by the activities in Hawaii. Rumors still abound in Hawaii that his death was assisted by the missionary party's agents in the United States. His sister, Liliuokalani, succeeded him. Upon the accession of Queen Liliuokalani, she received a petition of two-thirds of the voters, imploring her to do away with the bayonet constitution and return the powers of government to the Hawaiian citizens. By January 14, 1893, she completed a secret draft of a new constitution and informed her cabinet of her intention to put it into effect immediately. Begging her to put off this act for a short time, the cabinet, which was now controlled by the missionary party as a result of the bayonet constitution, rushed to report the Queen's intentions to leaders of the missionary party. It is important to identify two men in particular who were at the head of the missionary party. Lorrin Thurston was the grandson of one of the first missionary, Asa Thurston. Sanford Dole was the son of Daniel Dole, another missionary. These two men were prime conspirators against the Hawaiians. As early as 1882, Lorrin Thurston had already exchanged confidences with leading American officials on the matter of Hawaii's take- over. In fact the U.S. Secretary of the Navy assured Thurston that the administration of Chester A. Arthur would look with favor upon a takeover in Hawaii. Ten years later in another visit to the United States, he again received the same assurance from the administration of Benjamin Harrison. When Thurston received word of the Queen's intention, he, along with eleven other annexationists formed a "Committee of Public Safety" and arranged an immediate visit to the American Minister in Hawaii, John L. Stevens. Little convincing was necessary for Stevens to join in the conspiracy to overthrow the Queen for he was already one of the foremost advocate for America's takeover of Hawaii. In writing to his superiors in 1892, he asks how far may he "deviate from established international rules and precedents" in the event of an attempted overthrow. He argues that the vast future interest of the U.S. in the Pacific clearly indicated taking Hawaii and binding her "to the care of American destiny," warning "the golden hour is near at hand." The promise of Pearl Harbor permanently ceded to the U.S. and the use of all Hawaii as a major military and commercial outpost in the Pacific was tempting indeed. Thus, when Thurston met with Stevens on January 15, 1893 to plot the overthrow of Liliuokalani, the "golden hour" was at hand. The conspiracy against Hawaii was quickly sealed. The U.S. marines would be landed under the guise of protecting American lives (the missionary parties'). Hawaii would then be taken by U.S. forces and given to Thurston's party who would call themselves the "provisional government." This "government" would immediately turn Hawaii over to the U.S. in an annexation treaty. Thurston's missionary party would be appointed rulers of Hawaii with a complete reign to build their empires as a reward. The troops did land and Liliuokalani forced to surrender. Protesting the U.S.'s role in this conspiracy and receiving promises of an immediate and fair investigation, the Queen, on January 17, 1893, trusting in the "enlightened justice" of the United States "surrendered" to the U.S. forces until the investigation could be completed and she restored. The conspirators, acting now as the "provisional government" rushed off to Washington, forbidding any of the Queen's supporters from boarding the only ship leaving Hawaii. Attempting to evade the investigation, in less than a month, a treaty of annexation was hurriedly negotiated, signed and presented by President Harrison to the U.S. Senate for approval. However, Grover Cleveland replaced Harrison before the Senate voted. Meanwhile, the Queen's emissaries managed to sneak to the United States and plead with Cleveland to conduct the promised investigation. James H. Blount, formerly the Cha*Yirman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, was appointed special investigator by Cleveland. Following several months of investigation, Blount exposed the conspiracy. The President, upon receipt of Blount's report addressed Congress declaring: By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown. A substantial wrong has thus been done which a due regard for our national character as well as the rights of the injured people requires we should endeavor to repair. . . . [Liliuokalani] knew that she could not withstand the power of the United States, but believed that she might safely trust to its justice. [S]he surrendered not to the provisional government, but to the United States. She surrendered not absolutely and permanently, but temporarily and conditionally until such time as the facts could be considered by the United States [and it can] undo the action of its representative and reinstate her in the authority she claimed as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands. In summarizing the events, Cleveland wrote: The lawful Government of Hawaii was overthrown without the drawing of a sword or the firing of a shot by a process every step of which, it may be safely asserted, is directly traceable to and dependent for its success upon the agency of the United States acting through its diplomatic and naval representatives. But for the notorious predilections of the United States Minister for annexation, the Committee of Safety, which should be called the Committee of Annexation, would never have existed. But for the landing of the United States forces upon false pretexts respecting the danger to life and property the committee would never have exposed themselves to the pains and penalties of treason by undertaking the subversion of the Queen's Government. But for the presence of the United States forces in the immediate vicinity and in position to afford all needed protection and support the committee would not have proclaimed the provisional government from the steps of the Government building. And finally, but for the lawless occupation of Honolulu under false pretexts by the United States forces, and but for Minister Stevens' recognition of the provisional government when the United States forces were its sole support and constituted its only military strength, the Queen and her Government would never have yielded to the provisional government, even for a time and for the sole purpose of submitting her case to the enlightened justice of the United States. [T]he law of nations is founded upon reason and justice, and the rules of conduct governing individual relations between citizens or subjects of a civilized state are equally applicable as between enlightened nations. The considerations that international law is without a court for its enforcement, and that obedience to its commands practically depends upon good faith, instead of upon the mandate of a superior tribunal, only give additional sanction to the law itself and brand any deliberate infraction of it not merely as a wrong but as a disgrace. Cleveland refused to forward the treaty to the Senate as long as he remained President and instructed the conspirators to restore the Queen to her constitutional authority. These Americans rejected the President's instruction now denying their American citizenship and declaring themselves citizens of the Provisional Government, thus beyond Cleveland's authority. The conspirators, faced with the predicament of an administration which would not condone the conspiracy, devised an alternate plan. The plan was to restructure this government to appear as a permanent rather than a provisional government. Hopefully, when a new president was elected, the "permanent" government would be able to give Hawaii away. Thus a constitution giving permanence and validity to these conspirators had to be drafted. Dole announced a Constitutional Convention of thirty seven delegates, the majority, nineteen, selected by him, and eighteen elected. But even for these elected positions, the candidates and voters would first have to renounce the Queen and swear allegiance to the provisional government. Less than 15% of the voters participated in the election, the vast majority refusing to dignify this sham by their participation. The "Constitutional Convention" was held. A "Constitution," substantially as submitted by Dole and Thurston was adopted. The constitution of the "Republic of Hawaii" claimed dominion over all lands and waters of Hawaii. It claimed all citizens of Hawaii automatically its citizen. Foreigners who supported the new regime could vote; citizens loyal to the Queen could not; and because the Japanese and especially the Chinese supported Liliuokalani, they were, as a group disenfranchised. Further, only those who could speak, read and write in English or Hawaii and explain the constitution, written in English, to the satisfaction of Dole's supporters could vote. The right to vote was tightly guarded. On July 4, 1894 while the Americans were celebrating their independence day by firing their cÛYannons from their war ships in Honolulu Harbor, Dole, without placing the document before the Hawaiian people, simply proclaimed the Constitution and thus the "Republic of Hawaii" into existence; at the same time making himself President. The Republic of Hawaii remained in control with the continued presence of U.S. war ships. Liliuokalani, remembering the warning of Minister Blount not to take up arms lest the marines land and forever squash the hopes of returning Hawaii to the Hawaiians and believing in the enlightened justice of the U.S., waited in patience. A number of her supporters attempted to restore justice by arms but were discovered before they could make serious advances. When William McKinley replaced Cleveland as President, Dole's group rushed to Washington to complete the conspiracy. A "treaty of annexation" was signed. Realizing the "treaty" would not get the 2/3 Senate approval required of the U.S. Constitution, the conspirators decided to circumvent that requirement and settle for only a joint resolution of Congress, which it obtained. The pay-off followed. The U.S. set up a territorial government making Dole governor. The United States had thus made a door for it to walk into Hawaii. It now began rewarding the missionary party for stealing Hawaii for it. Two points should be made clear here. First, history records no event in which the Hawaiians were given the opportunity to determine whether or not to become annexed to the United States. Where we were once a free nation, the U.S. connived through a combination of diplomatic promisses, force of arms and economic and political payoff to extinguish that freedom and replace it with rule by a handful of American residents of Hawaii. Having placed the powers of government in this handful, it was a simple matter to then turn Hawaii over to the U.S. The "Treaty of Annexation" between Hawaii and the U.S. pretends to be an agreement between proper parties. Yet, the Republic of Hawaii was nothing more than a cover for the Annexation fever of the missionary party. Its formative document, the Constitution of 1894, was the product of a handful. The Constitution was a self-serving instrument declaring all Hawaii under its rule. It was never ratified by the people, the Queen or in any other form legitimized. Sanford Dole merely proclaimed it one day. If I proclaimed ownership of San Francisco tomorrow and than deeded it to another nation, that nation would have no greater right to it than I. Second, the McKinley administration, in its fever to annex Hawaii ignored the U.S. Constitutional requirement of 2/3 Senate consent. Thus, this "Treaty of Annexation" was never adopted by the U.S. in accordance with its own Constitutional mandate. As the conspiracy reached its peak, Liliuokalani engraved her plea to the American people in writing: Oh, honest Americans, as Christians hear me for my down-trodden people! Their form of government is as dear to them as yours is precious to you. Quite as warmly as you love your country, so they love theirs. [D]o not covet the little vineyards of Naboth's so far from your shores, lest the punishment of Ahab fall upon you, if not in your day in that of your children, for "be not deceived, God is not mocked." The people to whom your fathers told of the living God, and taught to call "Father," and whom the sons now seek to despoil and destroy, are crying aloud to Him in their time of trouble; and He will keep His promise, and will listen to the voices of His Hawaiian children lamenting for their homes. And so we find the closing of the chapter of Hawaii's existence as a free and unoccupied nation. Hawaii was now to undergo years of American brainwashing, colonization and military occupation. These were to be the pay-off years for the "giving" of Hawaii to the United States. Those tragic years can not be included here because to do so properly would be too lengthy. In conclusion, the demand for freedom of Hawaii, for the right to self determination, for the full control of Hawaii by Hawaiian citizens is rooted in the history just given, a history so contrary to the principles of liberty and justice for all that Cleveland remarked, "I am ashamed of this whole affair." "I am Hawaiian, not American. Americans stole our nation and threw our Queen in jail. I refuse to pledge allegiance to the American flag." a first grader, Waianae Elementary School, 1979 "You have no jurisdiction over us. We are citizens of the nation of Hawaii. We will not dignify this American court by entering pleas" three brothers charged with interfering with governmental operations on Moku Anuenue, 1980 "Your contempt citation and threat of disbarment is a small price to pay for my Hawaiian citizenship." an attorney replies to a Federal District Judge, Hawaii, 1979 The Hawaiian renaissance is taking on new dimensions through education and action. The nation is awakening: the sleeping giant is stirring. STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP PAU Following his appointment as territorial governor, Dole then provided for his fellow traitors government positions and lucrative government contracts, monopolies in shipping, finance and communications. The Big Five, a coalition of five business entities, all finding their roots in the missionary party controlled every aspect of business, media and politics in Hawaii. When they teamed up with the Republican Party and the United States Navy, there was virtually nothing left unexploited. A massive brainwashing program began to convince Hawaiians that the U.S. was the legitimate ruler and that the Hawaiians were no longer Hawaiians but Americans. The term Hawaiian became a racial rather than a national term. Large numbers of citizens of Hawaii were identified no longer as Hawaiians but as Chinese, Korean, English Samoan, Filipino, etc. Even among the Hawaii race, division was forged when Congress defined some as "native Hawaiians" (at least 50% of the aboriginal blood), entitled to special privileges and depriving the others. Children were forced to attend school and there taught to pledge their allegiance to the United States, trained in the foreign laws, told to adopt foreign morality, to speak no language but the English and adopt the American lifestyle. We were punished, ridiculed and coaxed into putting aside our customs and traditions and even our cultural names. Hawaii, that melting pot of cultures, races, languages and lores changed from a reality to an advertisement slogan for politicians and business people. Colonization took place. Thousands of Americans invaded Hawaii, taking choice jobs with government agencies or management positions with business interests. These Americans, bought up or stole through the manipulation of laws familiar to them much of the lands and resources of Hawaii. They gained power in Hawaii, controlled greater chunks of the economy, controlled the public media, entrenched themselves in politics, and joined in the brainwashing of the Hawaiians to believe we were Americans. The military turned Hawaii into their pacific fortress turning Pearl Harbor from a coaling and fueling station to a major naval port. They bombed valleys and took one of the eight major islands for their exclusive use as a target range. At will they tossed families out of homes, destroying sacred Hawaii heirlooms and built instead naval communication towers emitting radiation and ammunition depots hiding nuclear weapons. They declared martial law at will and imposed military conscription over the Hawaiian citizens. They killed Hawaiians in open contempt of the very laws of the United States and when tried and found guilty, managed through the agency of a territorial governor appointed by the U.S. president, to obtain sentences as light as imprisonment for a few hours at the Queen's palace before sailing back to the U.S. on military cruises. Freedom of trade was stopped. Congress took over foreign relations. We were forced to buy only American goods or foreign goods they approved (if we could ship it in, but the Big 5 controlled all shipping!). Every aspect of Hawaii was Americanized. Military show of strength was constant. Trade was totally controlled. Education and media was regulated. The secret ballot was a farce. STATEHOOD Finally, after three generations of brainwashing, we were told we had the chance to be equal Americans! The U.S. placed the following question to the "qualified" (Americans who were residents of Hawaii for at least 1 year) voters in Hawaii: Shall Hawaii immediately be admitted into the Union as a State? A "yes" meant Statehood. A "no" meant continuing Territorial government. The question, "Should the United States release Hawaii to determine its own destiny?" was never put to the Hawaiian citizens. The Americans voted for Hawaii's Statehood, not the Hawaiians. Now Hawaii was opened in a free for all, "grab what ever you can get" attitude. New economic interests poured into Hawaii to play the American financial game. Land become the play toy. Selling, trading, leasing, mortgaging, subdividing, etc. became the craze. Construction industries changed much of Hawaii from a lush green to a cancerous white concrete jungle stringed together by roadways of concrete and asphalt. But saddest of all was the continuing recycling our people were going through, a process so complete that the vast majority of our people are themselves believers in the American propaganda that they did no wrong and we had welcomed them to enslave us.