The ancestral people of the Sandwich Islands, known today as Hawai’i, had a practice of “hiding” the bones of family members when they died. The indigenous people, native Hawaiians or Kanaka Maoli, believed bones contained “mana” or spiritual energy of power and strength.
Unfortunately, as these graves were unmarked, families today preparing to build a home, developers working to construct a new building, park, highway or other structure encounter the “iwi kupuna” — bones of elders — all the time.
What to do with the bones and how to respectfully manage these historical artifacts remains a constant challenge in the state. Author Christine Hitt wrote about the long-running controversy.
I responded to Christine after reading her article and share comments with followers of ClearHealthLife.
My PhD work at the University of New Mexico was in political science. NM and HI are similar in many ways due to the extensive cultural influence from indigenous populations. One key topic of study was race; another was the clash between European and indigenous practices.
My wife is Native American, but what does that mean? One of her grandfathers can trace his heritage to the Aztec empire — but the family mixed with Spanish culture along the way. You state you are part Native Hawaiian. What is “native Hawaiian”?
Original inhabitants paddled to the Sandwich islands from the Marquesas, Tahitian, Samoan, Marshall, Solomon et al Society Island chains. Hawaiian isn’t a unique group. Much like America itself, the people are a mix of many different cultures. You represent that diversity, as does my wife.
In contrast, most of my ancestors originated in Northern Europe, although one grandmother is from Puerto Rico. She’s a mix of African and European cultures. What are we? Who are we?
Your article includes a photo from Bishop Museum — The Invention of Race (below). From my professional point of view, there is NO race. We all originate from Africa; we’re all brothers, sisters and cousins. Race is a human construct and serves primarily to divide us today.
Your article is titled, “Decades after racist scientists looted their graves …” Calling the scientists “racist” is quite immature and unprofessional. These scientists didn’t collect bones in an act of “racism.” They were studying origins of human beings.
There is a classic work of racism in science, “The Mismeasure of Man,” by Stephen Jay Gould. You may find it interesting.
However, there are differences between ethnicity in groups of people. People in NM, for example, are surrounded by desert; in HI by water. These groups developed different behaviors, traditions and practices due to geography and terrain.
A couple Asian American friends are visiting me on O’ahu. Took them to the ‘Iolani Palace Thursday. As English is a second-language for the mother, she didn’t understand much of the presentation. Her son is first-generation American and comprehended the dialogue as would you and I.
The story told at the palace is a cute myth, but not factually accurate. Native Hawaiians, like most groups, distort history to paint a more glorious past. The House of Kamehameha, for example, was not positive for the Hawaiian people. You are not taught this history at Kamehameha School.
Kamehameha was a warlord. Native Hawaiians are NOT warriors. They are gifted artisans. King Kalākaua didn’t fight, for example, when William W. Hall and Honolulu Rifles threatened the kingdom in 1887. They led a revolution.
Hall’s group of some 500 influential people of Honolulu gave the king 24-hours to respond to the proposed constitution. Kalākaua signed this document, which neutered the monarchy and put the legislature in charge.
“Your Majesty,” our spokesman said, “we have a communication for you.” The King took the message and began to read it. The spokesman said, “Your Majesty will be given twenty-four hours within which to make an answer; and if there is none by that time it will be considered a negative one.”
We then filed out. We felt no uneasiness, because all the reputable people of Honolulu were with us. We formed a secret league there in January and took in members until we had, at the time of the revolution, about 500 citizens sworn. They had all joined the Honolulu Rifles, the only local militia, and I had furnished them all with Springfield rifles. The King had simply his police, composed of 100 natives and about sixty palace attendants.
William W. Hall, Honolulu Rifles Quarter-Master
The king didn’t champion a rebellion in the four years up to his death in 1891. He accepted the constitution and new political arrangement. Like we observe in England today, the king now held a ceremonial position. The Merrie Monarch was known for his convivial personality and enjoyed entertaining guests with his singing and ukulele playing — not fighting.
The legislature called the shots. No American leader would have allowed such a coup; neither would have Kamehameha. All would have stood and fought.
In 1893, his sister Queen Lili’uokalani attempted to overturn the constitution. She was seeking to undo what her brother signed — forced or not. Thus, she engaged in a treasonous act per the law at the time.
Similarly, if you and I tried to undo the U.S. Constitution, we would be engaged in treason. There is a legislative prescription for such change. We can’t simply force change.
Importantly, the queen like her brother chose not to engage in war and shed blood. She was not a military commander. She temporarily abdicated the throne and petitioned the U.S. president for help. She later formally abdicated to save seven or eight people from death. However, she gave up without a fight.
There’s a huge difference in late 19th century Hawai’i from Kamehameha in the late 18th century. Kamehameha, like Americans, would have fought in 1887 and 1891. No American leader would have allowed a group to force our nation into a Bayonet Constitution.
American leaders, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, for example were flawed. They owned slaves; they created a nation that tolerated slavery. Not perfect! Neither was Kamehameha. However, all three would have fought if their people or nation were threatened.
The later Hawaiian leaders were singers of songs and more appreciative of human beings and life. They were not warriors and this fact is the tragic part of history that was lost. Native Hawaiians were “enlightened” people who preferred ho’oponopono to blood shed.
Kamehameha was like British, American and other imperial world leaders. He conquered; he acquired; he colonized — just as you and others criticize western influences. Ironic, isn’t it?
People don’t know the REAL story of Kamehameha — particularly Native Hawaiians. I wrote a short history: Polynesian Cain vs Abel: Native Hawaiians Teach their Keiki to Hate
This week, as we near the observation of the king’s birth, I’ll write how Kamehameha failed to UNITE the islands. Similarly as the U.S. learned with the Bush administration’s invasion of Iraq, one does not unite a nation at the point of a gun. We unite people by winning Hearts & Minds — not blowing them up.
Kamehameha was not meant to be king; he killed his cousin to take power. He brought violence and evil into the islands. And when Kalākaua was threatened in 1887, nobody rallied to the defense of the monarchy. People from the island of Kaua’i, for example, joined Kamehameha not due to his wondrous vision but from fear of being slaughtered.
Families who lost loved ones that Kamehameha’s warriors threw off cliffs or were murdered by cannon fire do not rally when leadership is threatened. It mattered not to those on Kaua’i if Kalākaua or the legislature governed the islands. Their quality of life did not change. Did not change life for ordinary Hawaiians either.
The monarchy and those in the legislature had privilege. Ordinary people were their subjects. Americans threw off the yoke of a king in 1776. In 1887 and 1893, Hawaiians had no use for monarchy either.
Kamehameha didn’t unite; he in fact divided. A truly wise king would have gathered tribal chiefs across the islands and convinced them that they needed to unite — not due to threat of his violence — but due to the impending threat from outsiders. Mythical stories of Kamehameha divide the Kanaka Maoli and Americans today.
Iao Valley is most famously remembered as the location of the Battle of Kepaniwai in 1790. In an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands, Kamehameha landed his war fleet on the shores of North Maui while Maui’s Chief, Kahekili, was away on the island of Oahu.
Kahekili’s son, Kalanikupule, entered Iao Valley with other Maui chiefs and army members, planning to use Iao Needle as a protective hideout from oncoming forces. He wasn’t aware, however, that Kamehameha had brought Western weapons along with him, including a cannon, which killed many army members during the battle.
The streams of Iao Valley were said to have been blocked by bodies after the battle finished, the reason behind the name Kepaniwai, meaning “the damming of the waters.”
Alison Grabel, Iao Valley
Kamehameha spent thirty years between 1780 and 1810 blowing up and killing Native Hawaiians while foreign interests grew stronger in the islands. He was the only individual to kill Polynesians en mass. BIG MISTAKE !!!
This division continues today, as you wrote:
But efforts to rebury the iwi have been hindered by disagreements between the 21 groups, and with the military. Under the law, all legal claimants must come to an absolute consensus on what to do with the remains; no one person or group can make a decision for all. Now, two decades into those negotiations, the remains of thousands of people still sit in boxes around the Marine Corps base.
“The No. 1 reason why there are thousands of kupuna waiting at Mokapu for reburial [is] because the living cannot agree,” Caceres told SFGATE.
Christine Hitt, SFGate, 6.5.22
The Lesson Learned is that Native Hawaiians were cheated by their War Leaders — primarily the House of Kamehameha. Hawaiians are not warriors. They are artisans destined to bring greater joy, kindness and aloha to the world.
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alright, I will keep saying this. WHATS UP WITH YOUR ARTICLES. it goes into some facts some facts, then you create your own biasedness. WHO EVEN ARE YOU. yes, we were warriors. yes, the house of kamehameha was prosperous, but inorder to of become so, it fell on king Kamehameha inorder to UNITE the islands. and yes, this was through bloodshed. we are told the stories of the battles, but at the same time at the beginning of each story, know the reason. at birth, king kamehameha was prophesied to unite the islands as many chiefs tried before him. there was much bloodshed before him. yes we are artisans and YES WE ARE WARRIORS. whoever you are…all the chiefs fought….all battled…nearly all were related…not surprising cousins usually battled. if it wasn’t for king kamehameha. we probably wouldn’t of been a kingdom to begin with. the overthrow probably would of been a whole other story and if anything, we wouldn’t see history as we see it today. we probably wouldn’t have worry about the problems surrounding what is happening to us. it was our status as a kingdom in the world, and the mishaps of the United States that has come to that. we are fierce and we are brave.
when you say-
In 1893, his sister Queen Lili’uokalani attempted to overturn the constitution. She was seeking to undo what her brother signed — forced or not.
Yes….he was forced…at gunpoint. ever read lili’uokalani’s notes?
Polynesia is built on battle. the only way to unite one area was to conquer through war. in fact, look at the United States, look at the united kingdom, look at russia. what do they also have in common. idk why you are as biased as you are for someone who claims to be raised in Waimea on Kaua’i….but naw, I think that’s a lie. your no kama’aina, and definitely not kanaka
I will be reporting your biasedness to a third party to review this. they will decide what to do….
Aloha e Keao ~ you claim, “yes, we were warriors.” In 1887, 500 Honolulu Rifles demanded King Kalakaua sign a new constitution. Did “your warrior” ancestors stand up and fight for him? Protect him? No. Thus, the king signed the Bayonet Constitution. Kalakaua was a lavish spender. LOCAL people were tired of paying high taxes to the king. They rebelled. Your ancestors accepted this change in government. Kalakaua then left the islands to recruit more labor and business for the kingdom.
The new constitution turned the monarchy into a more ceremonial role, as England had at the time; as England has today. The Legislature (like Parliament in England) would govern the tiny kingdom. Kalakaua accepted this new arrangement. Queen Elizabeth was enormously popular and powerful. Queen Lili’uokalani could have been powerful as well.
Kalakaua’s sister, Lydia, who took the name Queen Lili’uokalani, however did not accept the political agreement. She tried to undo the 1887 constitution. She wanted ALL the power. LOCAL business leaders and people refused to go back. Your warrior ancestors did not fight. Robert Wilcox had challenged the 1887 agreement. Wilcox now led a small rebellion in support of the queen. Kanaka did not rise up and join with him. Lydia did not fight. Warriors? Lydia begged USA president for help — against her own people! USA couldn’t do anything. There was no treaty of protection. Importantly, it was the monarchy who invited outsiders to Hawai’i. The monarchy was land rich and cash poor. They needed outsiders to make money — just as today. We survive due to outsiders — tourists and visitors. And the people, their keiki, that the monarchy had invited generations earlier now rose up against the tyranny of the king.
You added, “if it wasn’t for king kamehameha. we probably wouldn’t of been a kingdom to begin with.” You missed actual history. Kamehameha was upset. Ali’i Nui Kalaniopu’u did not give him enough land when he passed power in his opinion. Kamehameha thus partnered with British to acquire advanced long guns and cannons, which Kamehameha turned on Polynesian villages and Kanaka families. On Kaua’i, Kanaka did not fall in battle. They joined the kingdom under coercion but DID NOT RESPECT Kamehameha. The Kanaka ancestors on Kaua’i did not want his rule!
Kamehameha brought OUTSIDERS to the islands. He gave them land. They brought disease, STDs and negative behavior to our islands. Kamehameha didn’t create a kingdom — he opened the islands for exploitation by outsiders. You apparently bow to Kamehameha today. I do not!!! Kauaians do not!!!
You added, “Polynesia is built on battle. the only way to unite one area was to conquer through war.” FALSE … Kamehameha’s march began around 1780. USA Founders began around 1776 … Kamehameha “unified” but did not unite. Young USA Founders UNITED the 13 colonies … consider these to be 13 islands … and together laulima they kicked out a greedy, corrupt and evil king. Kamehameha pushed opposing warriors and ali’i nui off cliffs; he and his warriors killed those who did not agree with his rule: “Bow before me or die!” That does not unify a people. Kamehameha was the ONLY individual in these beautiful islands to murder Polynesians en masse. Outsiders didn’t do this … a LOCAL Kanaka guy murdered Polynesians. You bow to his memory! Auwe!!!
You again mention the overthrow … that occurred in 1887. Locals booted Lydia in 1893; they formed the Republic of Hawai’i in 1894; elected Sanford Dole as the first and only president of the republic. Dole had served as Chief Justice for the Hawaiian Kingdom … he was local born & raised.
And in 1898, USA placed Hawai’i, along with Philippines and Puerto Rico under territorial protection. USA did not dictate the political outcome. Puerto Rico remans a territory today. Filipinos immediately declared war … earning full independence in 1946.
You claim “we are fierce and we are brave.” Filipinos fought. They earned freedom. Kanaka did not fight. Their population was estimated around 800,000 in 1700; fell precipitously to about 40,000 by 1900. Disease and Kamehameha’s wars of murder crushed their ranks. Kanaka did not fight for freedom or independence or a return to the monarchy. USA protection saved Kanaka from extinction. There are an estimated 650,000 Kanaka today. And in 1959, local people — about 93% — voted to join USA as the 50th state.
Kanaka of Kaua’i educated me … they do not respect Kamehameha. You must be from O’ahu. We have different opinions about history. Calling people names, engaging in hate speech and behavior is not pono or aloha. Look forward to further discussion. A hui hou
there were not 500 honolulu rifle men, I know that for sure. yes we were warriors, as are those of aztec, those of native american, those of maori, those of viking, those of Egyptian, and many more. and to add to this…look at what type of world we live in now? in 1887, it was a time of peace, not hand on combat, so why fight? I need you to think about this. king kalakaua is put at gunpoint, there is nothing he can do. he was essentially told that if he didn’t sign that constitution, he would be killed. we couldn’t yell for help, he would of been killed. if someone came to where the king was at the time to save him, the king and that someone would also be killed. he had no choice. question, could the native americans overcome the europeans when they fought? while the europeans had artillery while the native americans had their weapons. (I sadly do not know what specific types of weapons they originally had besides bows, and slings. not talking about north american natives.) should get you thinking shouldn’t it? you will have a hard time defeating something that you will struggle to win and because of that, you will probably lose your life.
I must also say, prince kuhio was a Lua fighter. a Switzerland Prince called him the N word…and prince kuhio beat him up easily. in the mainalnd (I forget which states), someone mistakened him for a slave, and another time, he was again called a rascist slur, and he beat that man up too.
what rebellion are you referring too? what lavish spending are you also referring to and may I have evidence?
now, when you say that kalakaua left, are you referring to his world tours? if so? do you even know why we went on his world tours ;). and no, it wasn’t much for laborers, it was to help him strengthen the kingdom.
of course queen lili’uokalani didn’t accept the bayonet constitution forced on her brother. he didn’t either. idk if you pay attention, but who would want to be suppressed on their own status, let alone in their own home?
as much as Robert Wilcox had loyalty towards the monarchy, some speculate many of his actions were just for himself….he would often go back and forth on his loyalty. you may read articles on your own to learn what I mean. you do not realize that is was kanaka that made up the rebellion against the overthrow in 1897 do you….. you are strangely very unprepared for this…… ofcourse queen lili’uokalani didn’t fight…she was a peacemaker, and she wanted the US president to help restore the kingdom. sanford dole didn’t listen to the president, and because of that, president cleaveland backed out. you sure asking help from the US president to restore the kingdom is going against…..the kingdom?
to be honest, yes, the monarchy did invite outsiders. yes we did. reason? to help us grow with the rest of this world. even during the uniting of the 4 kingdoms. o’ahu maui, and big island were bloodiest. the attack on kaua’i failed, but led to an agreement. king ka’umu’ali’i would be able to rule until his death, therefore surrendering peacefully. you might say “but didn’t king kamehameha liholihio take him hostage” yes he did…after he became king. but even then, the islands were already under one rule. you do realize we don’t need to survive on outsiders right? you do realize that don’t you? we just think we need to, we don’t.
as I said, the islands weren’t one kingdom, they were 4. on his death bed, the ancestor to the kalakaua dynasty including my ancestor, kame’eiamoku told king kamehameha “keoua is not your father, kahekili is. here is your tokens” kamehameha responded “you wait until I am on my deathbed to tell me kahekili is my true father. if I’de known this, my brothers needed die not and they would of ruled the other islands.” this is surprising when you think about what led to the unifying of the islands, then again, he was a prophecy at birth. kame’eiamoku then responded “that is not a good thought. if they still ruled, the islands would still be at war. with you as their only ali’i aimoku, the islands are finally at peace”.
when you mention about the 13 colonies kicking out the greedy king….ever heard of the 60 years war? that was in the 1750s until 1815….the islands were united in the late 1700s. you obviously don’t know why there is a makihiki season and a season of Ku.
again, the weakening of the kingdom happened in 1887. illegal overthrow+ formation of the “republic of hawai’i” was in 1893. 1898, it was forced into annexation, and 1900, territory. territorial protection? no, just a territory. yes, they did dictate, or in other words, choose the outcome. again, how are you supposed to declare war on something you know you can’t win? we are fierce and brave, we still are. we’re also brave enough to know when and when not to use bloodshed. we are smart. the queen ordered not to escalate the situation on january 17th 1893 when one of her (at least I think) privy’s asked to have a warrant to arrest the 13 members of the committee of safety. turns out, before that, an officer was shot by a man transporting ammunition to the Committee of safety. it was disease that made those numbers go from 800,00 to just 17k…….700k people did not get killed by kamehameha. however, he did single handedly kill around 3000 people. you say 93% voted for statehood….well first off, who were those 93%. you must know, lots of those 93% were haole when they moved here (again, HAOLE means FOREIGNER). if we didn;t fight, why are we creating organizations. if we didn’t wish for enough, whhy did we stand on mauna kea, why did we march in 1993 as clinton signed the apology resolution? why was la’ku’oko’a brought back? why are we being taught about the truth of the overthrow throughout our childhoods, 7th, and 10th grade?
I tell you, yes, I am from kaua’i. it’s not that we hate kamehameha, it’s that we flex that he didn’t invade us and that ka’umu’ali’i technically made us “unconquered”. heck for the past 400 years before that we were in a state of PEACE. pono and aloha is a 2 way street. once you have pono and aloha for where you are, only then will you receive it back…
if you keep and I am very very serious about this. if you keep creating biased articles, which I have been going through a lot, in which nearly, if not all are biased…then I will find a way to report this website.
a hui hou, and please be better
Aloha e Keao ~ that was a long response. Tricky to answer all points. You started, “there were not 500 honolulu rifle men, I know that for sure.” Various reports cite 500+ strong local militia at the time. I have rosters from the Bishop Museum. Ever seen those?
You added, “yes we were warriors.” I disagree. You do not understand what the British did to Kamehameha. British ruled the world at that time, and their empire stretched around the world. How? When they discovered new cultures, they didn’t invade directly. They studied the people, found a disgruntled “strong man” or tribe. They partnered and had the strong man do their dirty work. Read Lawrence of Arabia … British military officer. Studied Arabia during WWI. He found Saud family to be strong and vulnerable. British “gave” Saud family powerful weapons, but not as powerful as British weapons, and tasked Saud family to oppress ALL other tribes in Arabia — they became the rulers of Saudi Arabia. British ruled the Saud family. Same in Hawai’i.
British equipped Kamehameha. Kamehameha’s forces conquered ALL other chiefs and tribes. They killed ALL other powerful warriors in the islands. Warriors you speak of were killed or neutered by Kamehameha. And Kamehameha provided favors, land and preferential treatment to the British. Kanaka learned to not question the king; to do as the king or queen ordered. Unfortunately, when Kalakaua was threatened in 1887, there were NO warriors to stand up for the king. Similarly in 1893. Kamehameha had taken the “fight” out of local warriors.
You added, “king kalakaua is put at gunpoint, there is nothing he can do. he was essentially told that if he didn’t sign that constitution, he would be killed.” FALSE. Small group of men, led by William Hall, who founded Hawaiian Electric in 1891, met with Kalakaua. They demanded he sign new constitution … but they gave him 24 hours to decide. The 500+ Honolulu Rifles had assembled outside. Kalakaua could have said, “F U !!!” He could have assembled his palace guards and army. What army? Where were his loyal troops and defenders? Americans leaders would have said NUTS!!! They would never have surrendered. US Founders were willing to die for our nation. That’s the REAL difference. Every read the history of what happened to the men who signed the Declaration of Independence? That was heroic! They were brave men.
As I said, Kamehameha had pummeled Kanaka men throughout the kingdom. There were no fighting Kanaka left. ALL kingdoms in the world have armies. Kalakaua had an exquisite palace, fine clothes. He threw lavish parties. He had no army! Honolulu Rifles easily forced him to sign the new constitution. Where were the Kanaka warriors? Look it up!
You added, “could the native americans overcome the europeans when they fought?” No. Europeans had superior military technology. However, you miss history of Hawai’i. It was Kamehameha who used European weapons of mass destruction on the Kanaka. Kanaka had only spears, clubs, rocks. Honolulu Rifles were local men who carried rifles some 100 years later, and Kalakaua’s palace guard had similar rifles. Technology was equal. Kanaka did not fight.
You added, “I must also say, prince kuhio was a Lua fighter.” He was. However he never worked a real job. When the kingdom fell, he was out of money! Yes, he fought. Got in trouble! The Prince then became a representative of Hawai’i territory to Congress in Washington DC. What did he do? He successfully helped pass legislation in 1920 to guarantee Kanaka homes … 100+ years ago. Do the Kanaka have homes today? Hell no!!! Why not? Kanaka refuse to fight. The Prince guaranteed Kanaka homes 100 years ago. Why do you not have YOUR home?
And, the Prince then called for Hawai’i to JOIN the USA as a state … that’s right! The Prince got homes for Kanaka and called for Hawai’i statehood. Hawai’i became a state. You do not have your home! He did his job. You have not done your job!
You added, “again, how are you supposed to declare war on something you know you can’t win?” Filipinos declared war … they won! Are the Filipinos more fierce than Kanaka? Why did they earn independence? How? Do you know? I do.
You added, “you say 93% voted for statehood….well first off, who were those 93%. you must know, lots of those 93% were haole when they moved here (again, HAOLE means FOREIGNER).”
Remember, kings & queens INVITED and ENCOURAGED outsiders to move here. Once they relocated, they were no longer foreigners. Calling them “haole” is racist. You should study 1850 Masters & Servants Act. Monarchy partnered with business leaders to BRING WORKERS and families here. They legalized indentured servitude, which is a form of slavery. King, queens, business leaders were the Masters. They whipped and beat the people … forcing them to work. These people were from many nations in the world. However, haole is used only for White people. You don’t call a Japanese visitor or local family haole — just White folks. Racist!
You ended, “then I will find a way to report this website.” You are FREE to report me or this blog. We publish under protection of the First Amendment. You may not like our comments. However, we are working politically to expose negative behavior in the islands. We hope to encourage and further dialogue to improve relations.
You are welcome to continue commenting. You are also welcome to submit an article of your own. We will publish any civil comments in your name. We appreciate your time and thoughts. We do not apologize for calling out negative, uncivil or discriminatory behavior. We can ALL be better in this world. A hui hou
kamehameha was not the only warrior…your being ignorant of that. why are you ignoring that? yes, the British did help king kamehameha, but guess what…our culture is still built on warriors. do you know what hula was used for? the training of the warriors. it trained their bodies which then trained them for lua. your only referring to one person while I’m talking about many. I just recovered a petroglyphs along the wailua river (yes, they are exposed right now). this one looks like it is a man in a ahu’ula with a spear. ALL KEKANAKA, WERE WARRIORS, not just one man, i’m not talking about one guy. buddy, even the commoners were warriors and guess what…not all chiefs died! nooo waaaaay, reeally? (sorry, me being me as a highschooler)
what do you mean by “directly” . they didn’t invade on purpose, or that they didn’t invade yet? yes they did study us, but guess what. king George IV and King kamehameha were allies. ever wondered why we have the jack in our flag? idk how the invasion of a middle eastern country by the british is the same as the invasion of hawai’i. according to what your saying, the saud destroyed themselves without knowing it. the constitution of 1887 was by force, and we knew that it was in americanism favor. the overthrow was illegal and was a US backed coup. we didn’t cause our corruption…those in favor of americanism were.
sadly enough, it was the descendants of the missionaries who did so. I’m Christan, and also a protestant…and even I know what they did to us was wrong. you make it sound like in the article that it was better that our culture be suppressed, you even said “save the day”. from who? we already gave up our deities a year before they first came.
“FALSE. Small group of men, led by William Hall, who founded Hawaiian Electric in 1891, met with Kalakaua. They demanded he sign new constitution … but they gave him 24 hours to decide. “ I will need proof of the 24 hours. if he said no….he would of been killed and hawai’i probably would of been overthrown once he was killed.
do you know how brave kalakaua was to have signed that constitution? it was either his kingdom weakens but still has power, or his life and an overthrow on his kingdom.
yes…we did have an army…and yes….there were still warriors throughout the islands. kalakaua did have an army…. we just never actually had to use it.
“You added, “could the native americans overcome the europeans when they fought?” No. Europeans had superior military technology. However, you miss history of Hawai’i. It was Kamehameha who used European weapons of mass destruction on the Kanaka“ your not getting my point are you. I wasn’t talking about king kamehameha, I was talking about king kalakaua in 1887. why did you try ignoring that?
atleast you understand he was a lua fighter…and yes…he did work a real job. your not ignorant, you’re arrogant, I know that. I don’t mind if I gotta refresh your memory, cause you’re losing at this. he was enlisted in a war in africa, and was apart of the legislature of hawai’i. apposed the overthrow and was, yes, infact a congressman of the united states. you are correct, he did introduce the first bill for statehood. the reason for this, I do not know. maybe he realized that he wouldn’t have the power to fix what was wronged, but could only help improve right. I simply do not know why he did that.oh I and over a million others don’t have a home do we? (referring to kama’aina and kanaka), guess that means you to….. if your actually kama’aina. yes, kanaka do have homes…and yes…we do fight for better homes….but not in the form of a riot, that’s dodo.
congrats, the filipino’s did win. they were also prepared for a fight as they were the ones who declared war…you think we were ready to fight a world power like the US. OF COURSE NOT
yes…they did encourage outsiders to come and help them…..to help improve the kingdom not take it over. the vote was 60 years after the overthrow. most of those 93% were infact originally haole and from the US because the US tourism industry encouraged American citizens to start living there. idk if this had anything to do with the fact that the US wanted to eradicate chances of hawaiian indpendence which they tried to do. the first thing that led to this failed eradication was the erasing of olelo hawai’i. haole means foreigner…..they wern’t born in hawai’i…they don’t have kanaka…yea they’re still haole : |we did not whipp and beat people to work…the US did that…britain did that….african nations did that…the middle east did that. (that’s all I know) but no..hawai’i did not do that.
“However, we are working politically to expose negative behavior in the islands. “politically or in a Biased way? I don’t see two sides, only one. if you want to expose something, you’ll need two sides of the page, not just one. I can tell you. british, russia, america, germany, belgiam, siam, we were all friends. those in favor of america got greedy , and this led to a lot of things that puts a bad picture on america. if you do not apologize for your negative, uncivil or discriminatory behavior…oh well, you won’t get a sorry back. by this I mean. idk who bullied you in waimea, idk who looked at yoou and used the term haole as a slur, but I do know this…it’s not something worth creating mostly false or one sided claims…and it’s definitely not worth deceiving people who are not from hawai’i and know little about hawai’i. aloha and pono is a two was street. will you have that for GOOD people who you were raised around? for these beautiful islands you too call home? forgive and make right. I have forgive the missionaries that said what they said all those years ago. I forgive the US because it admitted. I do not forgive that the wrong has not been yet right. go make right, not spread dirt in peoples eyes. freedom of speech is a moral…use it wisely, not all kine way. you say we can all be better in this world..yes we can….even you…so do good and honest, non-biased re-writes…and once you do….no more will I point things out. it will be pau. aloha my braddah, have a safe and good evening….and don’t let aloha and pono slip out and through you…please…mahalo e a hui hou.
Aloha e Keao ~ mahalo for your continued discussion. Let me address a couple points you made. (1) “our culture is still built on warriors.” Really? Kamehameha’s wars ended in 1810. Kanaka have not been to war since that time. Didn’t stand up for Kalakaua in 1887 or Lili’uokalani in 1893; not in 1894 when the Republic of Hawai’i elected Sanford Dole as first and only president; not in 1895 when Lydia formally abdicated the throne; not in 1898 when USA incorporated Hawaiian islands under territorial protection. Where are your warriors?
Believe you are a high school student. Wish you well on your studies and future career. You however have not been to war. You cannot call yourself a warrior. Americans, for example, are not warriors. Only about 7% of citizens serve in the military. Americans are artisans, merchants, trade specialists, inventors, innovators, teachers and entertainers … people immigrated to America to escape war and violence; to flee persecution from kings and religious groups. Americans do not claim to be warriors. Americans hope to avoid war. Apparently we are not the same!
You stated (2) “do you know how brave kalakaua was to have signed that constitution?” Kalakaua was not considered a brave man. He was a gentle soul. Preferred playing ukulele and entertaining at lavish parties. He was nicknamed the Merrie Monarch, as he was a patron of the arts, especially music and dance.
A brave king would have said “I am willing to die to protect my people and kingdom.” A brave king would have stood up to the Honolulu Rifles, rather than see local people reduce his power. Kalakaua was instead a SMART and REALISTIC monarch. He knew he was guilty of an extravagant lifestyle … living off taxes and work of others.
Kalakaua compromised. He gave up most of his power to preserve the small kingdom. He listened to complaints from citizens and leaders of the business community. He sought peace and harmony. I believe he demonstrated the greatness of Kanaka culture — not war, but sharing, compromising and caring about others.
Sister Lydia wasn’t the same. She was fiercely upset over the decision. She apparently stewed in her frustration and anger for some six years. The kingdom and people had moved forward. Lydia did not. She wanted a return to ALL POWER. She wildly miscalculated. She didn’t have support of an army; didn’t have political backing. She was the first woman to sit on the throne at a time of 100% rule by men. Bad calculation!
Some might claim it was Lydia who was brave. She wasn’t however smart politically. Famous Chinese general and military strategist, Sun Tzu, warned not to threaten war unless one is sure they can win. Lydia declared war on the local community. Stupid move! She lost badly.
You make a false claim (3) “the overthrow was illegal and was a US backed coup.” As I’ve stated, overthrow occurred in 1887. Legislature took power and made the king a ceremonial figure. You focus on 1893. Lydia attempted to undo the 1887 arrangement. She was booted from the throne. You can call it an overthrow, but that isn’t accurate. And, it’s 100% incorrect to claim 1893 was a “US backed coup.” Coup occurred in 1887. USA didn’t back anything. Kanaka point to minister Stevens summing troops from USS Boston, which was in Pearl at the time. The USA had NO official policy to overthrow the kingdom. USA did have legal interest in Pearl Harbor due to treaty around 1875. Remember there was no radio, telegraph or direct communication between Honolulu and Washington DC in 1893. It would take weeks for a ship to get to San Francisco … weeks for messages to go back and forth by telegraph … and weeks more to return to Honolulu.
Events in Hawai’i happened quickly. Nobody in Washington DC knew or gave orders. If you wish to call it a coup, it was a LOCAL event. Although the 1993 Congress officially apologized for Steven’s behavior, it is custom for USA troops to protect American citizens and interests abroad during time of political upheaval. We see USA response in Gaza at this time. Biden is focused on protecting American citizens.
You and Kanaka want someone to BLAME … that is your collective guilt for NOT standing up and defending the queen and kingdom in 1893; or king and kingdom in 1887. BLAME !!! BLAME !!! You claim to be a warrior; that your ancestors were warriors. Where were the warriors when the tiny kingdom needed them? Taking a nap???
You wrote, (4) “congrats, the filipino’s did win. they were also prepared for a fight as they were the ones who declared war…you think we were ready to fight a world power like the US. OF COURSE NOT”
Filipinos were and are warriors. Hawaiian kingdom formed officially in 1810 … Kanaka had 7 years to prepare to defend Kalakaua. They were not ready to fight — against a local militia of Honolulu Rifles. They had six more years to prepare to defend Lili’uokalani and kingdom. Filipinos took on not only the USA beginning in 1898, but Japan beginning with WWII. They demonstrated courage, resolve, heroic behavior, persistence and resilience. The Kanaka beginning in 1810 and through today did not. Kanaka talk tough … but there was no walk. Only the collective failure and lack of warrior courage!
Kanaka prefer instead to bully light-skinned people in the islands who get in their way; blame USA and Americans for the loss of their kingdom; and bring negativity to our beautiful islands of aloha.
You are not a warrior. You continue to refer to human beings as “haole.” If a light-skinned person around the southern US border calls a brown-skinned family “foreigners” — the US DOJ considers the slur to be hate speech. KKK-types in USA demand “outsiders” go home, just as Kanaka say in Hawai’i. Americans know this behavior is wrong. Hating on outsiders, calling White folks “haole” is morally wrong. Warriors do not call other people names. They are strong, confident and secure. Insecure and weak people call names!
The Kanaka prefer to call names! That’s the point of our articles.
“we couldn’t yell for help, he would of been killed.” he* not we, sorry
“The Kanaka prefer to call names! That’s the point of our articles.” strange with all you say y’know….cause you do just that and get alittle bit misleading and racist while your at it. sounds familiar?
Aloha e Keao ~ I’ve not called anyone names. I refer to the Native Hawaiian as Kanaka Maoli. You demonize and disparage White folks calling them “haole,” which means White Nigger. Not cool at all.
what do you think calling us savages, animals and racist is?
haole is foreigner…..not a slur…go to olelo hawai’i immersion asap
Aloha e Keao ~ I didn’t call Kanaka savages or animals. British did. I am calling you racist for referring to me and others as haole. While you claim you mean foreigner, I’m not a foreigner. Suggesting I am is disrespectful. Further, the label is applied to White folks, primarily Americans. It’s not polite. I refer to you as Kanaka or Hawaiian. You can refer to me as American — if you want to be respectful and live aloha.
….you admitted to being haole? haole means foreigner, it isn’t rascist. yes you did say we were savages and animals. don’t you remember your other reply to me about the death of captain cook? you surely have the mindset of a foreigner. I’ll refer to you as what you seem. i didn’t know you are from the mainland. that’s still haole of hawai’i. haole isn’t a slur, no need thinking of it as such.
Aloha e Keao ~ you wrote, “you admitted to being haole?” No. I do not admit nor do I accept you or anyone calling me that racist term. You are welcome to refer to me as an American. You again state, “haole means foreigner.” Disagree. What is your source? I gave you the original history. You did not research.
You added, “you surely have the mindset of a foreigner.” That is your opinion. You provide no factual basis for such a claim. You added, “i didn’t know you are from the mainland. that’s still haole of hawai’i.” I have lived and was raised on Kaua’i, mainland and many countries of the world. You still use racist language with me. Shows you’re immature and uneducated. Guess we should expect intolerance from a high school student. Takes courage to act as an adult. We should refer to you as a digger.