America is currently undergoing a “revisionist history” revolution. Statues of Christopher Columbus or Italian Cristoforo Colombo or Spanish Cristóbal Colón are being removed, while Columbus Day is replaced with Indigenous People’s Day. America’s bloody and imperfect past is being “white washed” by a Millennial Generation that believes none should be offended. Of course, none of the Millennials are willing to leave the United States of America and return the stolen land to the indigenous people. Removing statues and holidays clears their collective guilt apparently.
A similar movement is gaining momentum in America’s 50th state, Hawai’i. My Facebook friend, Heidi Gillette, shared a Really American’s video that asked, “Don’t you think the truth about America’s 50th state should be taught injustice our schools?
Here’s the truth: in 1893, a group of Hawaiians who partnered with American business men convinced Republican President Benjamin Harrison to push Queen Lili’uokalani off her rightful throne. It was a coup; it was theft of a kingdom.
Might Makes Right
So, YES, let’s tell the truth about Hawaiian history. Each year on June 11th, we celebrate King Kamehameha I, also called Kamehameha the Great. He is considered the Founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Kamehameha was not a pacifist. Hawaiians were fierce warriors and Kamehameha “unified the islands” using force — AGAINST the WILL of the people.
In 1795, Kamehameha set sail with an armada of 960 war canoes and 10,000 soldiers. He quickly secured the lightly defended islands of Maui and Molokaʻi at the Battle of Kawela. He moved on to the island of Oʻahu, landing his troops at Waiʻalae and Waikīkī … on Oahu a fierce battle ensued, with Kamehameha’s forces forming an enclosing wall. Using traditional Hawaiian spears, as well as muskets and cannon, they killed most of Kalanikūpule’s forces. Over 400 men were forced over the Pali’s cliff, a drop of 1,000 feet. Kaʻiana was killed during the action; Kalanikūpule was later captured and sacrificed to Kūkāʻilimoku. In April 1810, King Kaumualiʻi of Kaua’i became a vassal of Kamehameha, choosing not to fight the powerful ruler.
This is the history of most of the world. As civilization moved forward, big fish conquered smaller fish. And larger fish conquered the big fish.
In 1893, US Marines and pro-American forces surrounded Queen Lili’uokalani. She chose not to fight, as she preferred not to shed Hawaiian blood. She abdicated her thrown. Likely the fierce Hawaiians could have repelled Marines, who had long supply lines back to the US. Queen Lili’uokalani was the Hawaiian leader. She made the decision not to fight. The rest now is history.
Keep in mind many nations wanted the Hawaiian islands — for strategic purposes. Hawaiians were not capable of defending the islands. Had the US not absorbed the kingdom, maybe it would have been the Russians. There are remnants of a Russian fort on Kauai’s west side near Waimea town.
Or it might have been the Japanese. They were brutal to islanders in the Pacific — engaging in genocide as they dominated the waters. Or it might have been the British, or the Chinese, or the Dutch, or the Spanish.
I believe Hawaiians got the best deal they could. America is not perfect but has offered native Hawaiians more opportunity than they likely would have received from other nations in a power hungry world.
History is violent and unfair. Big fish gobbled up small fish; larger fish gobbled up the big fish. This is the history of King Kamehameha the Great. This is also the lesson of Hawaiian and world history. Those who were pacifist or peaceful didn’t seem to have made it to the 21st century. On June 11th each year, remember Kamehameha and the Kingdom of Hawai’i. This is a beautiful and wise culture. Being part of America doesn’t mean principles such as acting pono, living kuleana or treating each other with aloha should be forgotten. They should become part of the national fabric that binds us together.
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well, atleast for this one you were accurate until “Or it might have been the Japanese.” Hawai’i was a strong alliance with japan and was the first country to recognize Japan too. also, you should of put “hawai’i born citizens” . instead of “hawaiian who partnered with american buisnessmen”atleast this is your more genuin article with more truth. I do need you to wonder “what if hawai’i was never actually conquered by another state and managed to hold as a world power). yes, we were a pretty good world power and pretty advanced as well.
Aloha e Keao ~ you wrote, “I do need you to wonder “what if hawai’i was never actually conquered by another state and managed to hold as a world power).” LOLOLOL
My young padawan … you truly do not understand history. Remove the USA. What would have happened. Imperial Japan beginning in the 1930s started taking over islands in the Pacific. You should visit Punchbowl and see the murals depicting the campaigns to stop their aggression. Japanese committed genocide — wiping out island people. They turned Korean women into sex slaves. They murdered over 25 MILLION Chinese. They ravaged the Philippines. Ever read about the Bataan Death March? The Japanese wanted these islands. They had ZERO use for Kanaka. They would have wiped out your ancestors. Hawai’i would be Japan V.2.
Your ancestors could not stand up to 500 Honolulu Rifles. Russia, China, Britain, France, many others wanted Hawai’i, as it was a mid-point in the Pacific. Kanaka had rocks, spears and clubs. They were 1,000 years behind technologically from the outside world.
You wrote, “yes, we were a pretty good world power and pretty advanced as well.” Hawaiian Kingdom was NOT a world power at all. Kanaka were not advanced in global terms. You should read Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel. Much to learn, young padawan.
I forgot to also add, we did have alliances with these countries as well British, or the Chinese, or the Dutch, or the Spanish.”
Aloha e Keao ~ yes, the Hawaiian Kingdom was Officially Recognized by about 30 nations, I believe. There were NO military or protection alliances. Beginning in 1894, with the formation of the Republic of Hawai’i, ALL these nations Officially Recognized the new government in Hawai’i. The world community accepted and endorsed the change in leadership and Sanford Dole as first president of the republic. Again, that’s the Truth, Ruth!
they didn’t recognize the fake republic….but what ever you think you say man…. I’m no longer debating your claims as much of it is false and I fact checked everything you said, only so much was actually true. 😉
Aloha e Keao ~ “they didn’t recognize the fake republic….but what ever you think you say man.” Are you certain? Maybe you should research before making arrogant and uneducated statements:
Letters of formal de jure recognition of the Republic of Hawaii were received from August 1894 through at least January 1895, from the monarchs and/or heads of government of at least the following 19 nations (in alphabetical order): Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Chile, China, France, Germany(Prussia), Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway-Sweden, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United States. In addition the Kingdom of Hawaii gave formal recognition to the Republic as the rightful government, in the form of a letter of abdication and an oath of loyalty signed by ex-queen Liliuokalani under advice of and witnessed by her personal attorney and former cabinet ministers.
You concluded, “I’m no longer debating your claims as much of it is false and I fact checked everything you said, only so much was actually true.” LOLOLOL
Booyah!!! Mic drop!!! A hui hou; gotta go
….dang…so excited over a copy and paste…and yes ” Kingdom of Hawaii gave formal recognition to the Republic as the rightful government”…fool-liah oh hey, did you put any of that in your article though? with links to proof? if you find me on discord, have a blast, ok. a hui hou to you too!
Aloha e Keao ~ yesterday, November 28th, Kanaka recognize Hauʻoli Lā Kūʻokoʻa Lāhui. As you didn’t mention this observation in our discussions, you may not be familiar. On November 28, 1843, the Kingdom of Hawaii was recognized as an independent kingdom / nation-state by England and France. This incident was the FIRST TIME the USA saved the Kanaka.
As history records, angry Kamehameha partnered with the British to acquire long guns and cannons. He used these weapons of mass destruction on Kanaka villages. Kamehameha also placed the not-yet-unified Hawaiian Kingdom under British protection during British naval expeditions led by George Vancouver from 1792 to 1794. The British government took no formal action to enforce its sovereignty over Hawai’i, until 1843. Under Captain Lord George Paulet, the British occupied the Hawaiian Islands for five months because of a land dispute involving a Briton, Richard Charlton.
The Paulet affair, also known as British Hawai’i, was the unofficial five-month 1843 occupation of the Hawaiian Islands by British naval officer Captain Lord George Paulet, of HMS Carysfort. It was ended by the arrival of American warships sent to defend Hawaii’s independence.
As I stated, I am an American. Without USA intervention, these islands would be like Australia, Canada and other foreign states — under control of the British monarchy and government. USA gave Kanaka their freedom from the British — and led to the first Lā Kūʻokoʻa Lāhui. You’re welcome! USA saved the Kanaka.
I knew all of this already. kamehameha pai’eas battles had nothing to do with la’ku’oko’a so idk why your mentioning him. your problem with using america is the fact that britain itself disapproved of the false occupation (yes, it’s called a false occupation because there was no formal agreement to do such by either countries). your biased for reasons that you are self obstructed by for a reason that….well just causes trouble. random trouble. you justify the united states for Britain not actually agreeing to the occupation and soon removing captain paulet from his position? I see how it can make sense, but you make like it’s the only reason….yeeea riiight. yesterday you got lots of laughs and concerns about you too. just thought you should know that. hope you have a safe evening as this day has been rainy and a large cloud from o’ahu is making it’s way above us. good night. I cannot get you to agree, I know that. you believe what you believe, but the truth as of right now is that the United States has Illegally occupied us. that has left a mark on those who are pilikea (white people). pilikea are haole as with a lot of other things. you don’t really understand until your actually from the island if once you learn from the notes of old old kanaka themselves. certain pilikea have had respect because well…they learned, they took acknowledgment and they took action to want to try and fix that. anyways, again, have a safe evening. I’m not arguing with you, a hui hou and mahalo for a strange but complex discord.
Aloha e Keao ~ really disappointing response! Thank you for showing the world how much hatred you harbor for America and White people. You wrote (1) “britain itself disapproved of the false occupation (yes, it’s called a false occupation because there was no formal agreement to do such by either countries).” How do you think Kamehameha acquired British long guns and cannons? The British didn’t provide these weapons of mass destruction to just anyone. The British attached strings — political demands and obligations. Kamehameha agreed to allow Britain to colonize (rule) the Hawaiian Islands — that’s one reason Kamehameha added the British Union Jack to the Hawaiian flag. You can lie to yourself and friends, but it was USA that booted the British from the islands in 1843, just as young Americans kicked the British out of North America in 1776.
You laughed? Read what you wrote, “but the truth as of right now is that the United States has Illegally occupied us.” Didn’t you just deny the British occupation saying, “(yes, it’s called a false occupation because there was no formal agreement to do such by either countries).” There was NO formal agreement between either country for the USA to occupy the Kingdom of Hawai’i … illegal or not.
As history shows, King Kalakaua was forced to sign the 1887 constitution by Honolulu Rifles, a local militia. Their action constitutes a coup. Arrangement lasted six years until his sister Lydia, Queen Lili’uokalani, attempted to undo the 1887 agreement. USA didn’t act. Locals kicked Lydia from the throne. In 1894, locals formed Republic of Hawai’i … not USA. As I showed you, some 19 nations around the world OFFICIALLY recognized the new Republic, including USA and former Kingdom of Hawai’i. That was FORMAL AGREEMENT by Kanaka and Monarchy in Hawai’i. Therefore, nothing illegal occurred.
And, in 1898 with the end of the Spanish American war, USA added Puerto Rico, Philippines and Republic of Hawai’i under territorial protection. Filipinos fought for their freedom, earning independence in 1946. Puerto Rico remains a territory today. Under leadership of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, Kanaka requested to become a US state. Nothing illegal occurred.
Most importantly, officials of Republic of Hawai’i OFFICIALLY AGREED to this political designation. Again, nothing illegal occurred. You may not like these changes, but you are wrong to claim differently and blame others falsely.
You concluded, “but the truth as of right now is that the United States has Illegally occupied us. that has left a mark on those who are pilikea (white people).” You speak falsely, and you falsely accuse White people. You continually engage in hate speech when referring to White people. You are not respectful … and by continuing to FALSELY BLAME both USA and White people, you violate Kanaka principles of acting pono with others, living your kuleana and treating people with aloha.
You are NOT Kanaka. You are a racist hater and false blamer. And this is why we must publish these articles. Your attitude is sick and diseased. Your hatred eats at you; erodes your ‘Ohana and the Lahui. Hatred does not build a strong and lasting culture. Sad, isn’t it? Wimps, not warriors, act this way.
…..what in da bloody bay Of the olowalu. you seriously go off track do you? like I say one way, you point the other. why try? you try so hard man, and either way…..get a masters in debate, you need it
Aloha e Keao ~ know you had a busy school week. Wanted to wait until the weekend to respond. For some reason, you had to attack my person and character: “you try so hard man, and either way…..get a masters in debate, you need it.”
As I told you, my PhD work is political science. As a teacher, not only taught debate, I judged debate tournaments. Let’s review our discussion:
1. You said, “My ancestors are warriors; and I am a warrior.” However, you have never gone to war, and your ancestors fled from war … as I pointed out, British used Kamehameha to colonize these islands. They took over in 1843. Your ancestors did not fight. They were not warriors. USA had to FREE the Kanaka. And we observe that victory on November 28th, which the Kanaka call Hauʻoli Lā Kūʻokoʻa Lāhui.
Your ancestors did not fight when 500 Honolulu Rifles demanded King Kalakaua sign a new constitution in 1887. Your ancestors did not fight when locals booted Queen Lili’uokalani from the throne in 1893.
In debate, you lost this point.
2. You wrote, “but the truth as of right now is that the United States has Illegally occupied us.” After locals booted Lydia in 1893, they formed the Republic of Hawai’i. Some 19 nations officially recognized the Republic. Kingdom of Hawai’i officially recognized the Republic. The world and Kanaka therefore agreed that removing Lydia wasn’t “illegal.” Sanford Dole, who was Chief Justice in the Kingdom of Hawai’i, became first and only president. Nothing illegal occurred.
And, in 1898, the USA extended Puerto Rico, Philippines and the Republic of Hawai’i US territorial protection. The Kanaka maintained the right to determine the future. Puerto Rico remains a US territory, although a majority ask to become the 51st state today! Filipinos were warriors. They declared war, and Filipinos earned independence in 1946. Kanaka didn’t declare war. Kanaka didn’t fight. History shows that the last prince, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, became the territorial representative, passed legislation to guarantee Kanaka homes, and called for statehood. Kanaka didn’t fight. They asked to become a state. Nothing illegal occurred. You make a FALSE statement claiming USA illegally occupied these islands.
In debate, you lost a second point.
3. Returning to point #1, Kanaka are warriors. Point #2 shows that Kanaka did not rise up and fight the Republic of Hawai’i, or similar to Filipinos, did not declare war in 1898 to earn independence. Your ancestors were NOT warriors. They FREELY accepted the Republic, the territorial designation and statehood in 1959.
In debate, you lost a third point.
4. You wrote, “but the truth as of right now is that the United States has Illegally occupied us. that has left a mark on those who are pilikea (white people).” We conclude that the USA did not illegally occupy Kanaka or these islands. You made a false charge.
You then falsely accuse “those who are pilikea (white people).” White people did not do anything illegal, just as the USA did not. Your comment is racist, divisive and hurtful. Japanese attacked these islands in 1941. You do not condemn Japanese today. You speak highly of Japanese. Kamehameha killed Kanaka. Japanese killed Americans and Kanaka. White people did not kill Kanaka. You however blame White folks, while praising Japanese and Kamehameha.
In debate, you lost a fourth point.
5. You refer to White people as “haole.” I showed that Kumulipo defines “haole” as stranger. White people living here are not strangers. You claim “haole” means foreigner. Even using your definition, White people living here are not foreigners. Your use of “haole” is a racist slur — as you apply the negative term ONLY to White people … Asians can be strangers or foreigners. Black people can be strangers or foreigners. You label only White people, and use is negative. It’s like calling a Black person “nigger” or Asian person “chink.” Good, decent people don’t act or speak this way. Kanaka have normalized the practice of racially slurring White people by calling them “haole” and blaming them for alleged ILLEGAL behavior.
In debate, you lost a fifth point.
6. You stated, “they [Kanaka] didn’t recognize the fake republic.” Then you back peddled, “and yes ‘Kingdom of Hawaii gave formal recognition to the Republic as the rightful government’…fool-liah oh hey, did you put any of that in your article though? with links to proof?”
Due to USA action to boot the British in 1843, the Hawaiian Kingdom entered into Treaties and Conventions with the nations of Austria, Belgium, Bremen (presently Germany), Denmark, France, Germany, Hamburg (presently Germany), Italy, Hong Kong (former colony of England), Japan, Netherlands, New South Wales (former colony of England), Portugal, Russia, Samoa, the Swiss Confederation, Sweden, Norway, Tahiti (colony of France), United Kingdom, and the United States of America. [https://www.hawaiiankingdom.org/political-history.shtml]
After locals booted Lydia from the throne, letters of formal de jure recognition of the Republic of Hawai’i were received from August 1894 through at least January 1895, from the monarchs and/or heads of government of at least the following 19 nations (in alphabetical order): Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Chile, China, France, Germany(Prussia), Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway-Sweden, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United States. In addition the Kingdom of Hawaii gave formal recognition to the Republic as the rightful government, in the form of a letter of abdication and an oath of loyalty signed by ex-queen Liliuokalani under advice of and witnessed by her personal attorney and former cabinet ministers. [https://www.angelfire.com/planet/big60/RepublicRecognitionDeJure.html]
You claimed I spoke incorrectly. You were wrong! In debate, you lost a sixth point.
7. You stated, “you…are a very big representation of division as you called kanaka savages and in some way claim that we are weak…we are failures….and we are cruel.”
I have never called Kanaka these negative terms. I said the British called Kanaka savages after Kanaka stole a long boat and then murdered Captain Cook on February 14, 1779. Have never claimed Kanaka are weak. I do challenge your claim that Kanaka are warriors, as I’ve shown above. Never claimed Kanaka are failures. I do claim Kanaka who call White people “haole” or charge White people and the USA with illegal occupation are cruel. This negative behavior and false accusation need to end.
You spoke falsely, and in debate, you lost a seventh point.
8. You wrote, “you said kamehameha was responsible for killing “hundreds of thousands” of hawaiians…he only killed between 10-5 thousand in his wars. 3k of which, however were from himself.”
In 1700 there an estimated 800,000+ Kanaka; by 1900, only 40,000 remained. As you admit, Kamehameha killed 10,000s in wars — 3K by himself alone! Nobody else murdered as many Kanaka as Kamehameha. I also stated that Kamehameha I, II, III, IV & V invited thousands of outsiders to these islands. Outsiders brought disease. Kamehameha kings didn’t stop outsiders from coming — even when they knew diseases they brought killed Kanaka. The #1 Job of government (kings & queens) is to protect their people. Kamehameha kings wanted PROFITS over LIVES of PEOPLE. Kamehameha kings killed “hundreds of thousands” of Kanaka.
In debate, you lost an eighth point.
9. I wrote in my article, Ana Vee sings in her hit song Hawai’i, “Best to be born and raised, local grown.” You responded, “…it says blessed to be…not best.” Acknowledged you were correct. I was wrong.
In debate, you won the point.
Final Score: ClearHealth Life 8, Keao 1
Nice debate. Come back anytime! Aloha and a hui hou !!!