We live in such a strange time. Up is down, down is up. America’s children are more confused than ever in history. Our nation has polarized to left and right extremes. Common sense and values are now longer common. Most people when asked say our nation is not heading in the right direction.
As we approach Memorial Day, we continue a massive FIGHT to protect and defend the honor of the heroic, brave American men and women — Black, White, Asian, Latin … men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities — who gave their LIVES for our FREEDOM.
SEE Boycott Shinnyo-en Floating Lantern
Think about it … they DIED so we can complain on social media about our lives. They asked nothing in return. They hoped we would NEVER forget their sacrifice.
In Hawai’i, a Japanese Buddhist Order that preaches love, harmony and enlightenment is trampling on Memorial Day. Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, murdered some 25 MILLION Chinese (four times more than Jews killed by Hitler), destroyed the Philippines and killed 100,000s; forced Korean women to be sex slaves for their troops, or they were shot; force Korean men to serve hard labor for their troops, or they were shot.
American heroes, including Japanese Americans, pushed them back. We’ve had peace in the Pacific for nearly 80 years — thanks to the more than 53,000+ heroes who now rest at Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific.
Another military man, Mike Pratt, posted an appeal to social media to care more for our troops: “The people in Hollywood spend their entire lives pretending to be heroes. They pretend for a living. Think about that…”
Speaking up with Mike to SUPPORTING the honor, memory and sacrifice of these heroic men and women, one current military male, Russell Ramsey, criticized my efforts:
uhm, I think my friends in HI will be fine. I read the post/link, then read about the real celebration and organization, definitely some differences there. AND we’re in their territory, on their homeland. If you care about Heroes best vote for folks that honor them as winners that gave all, some with invisible wounds…. as well as leaders that like them FRONT & Center at events, even singing our traditional songs. The Marine in the pic looks like the one that a previous dude didnt want at his event, just sayin.
Russell Ramsey, 4.30.24
I reminded Russ that Memorial Day is ONLY for the BRAVE American men & women who DIED in service to the rest of us to ensure our freedoms and way of life. All we ask of Shinnyo-en is to host their “celebration” on Saturday or Sunday.
The USA didn’t create Memorial Day for civilians. Now civilians co-opt and appropriate Memorial Day so Shinnyo-en can MAKE MONEY for their Japanese Buddhist Order on Memorial Day.
Russ believes this behavior is “fine.” Shinnyo-en causes DEEP PAIN to families who lost service members. I don’t think Russ really cares about the men & women, and their families, who give ALL to protect your and our freedoms. Sad, very sad!!!
Russ responded:
Sorry you feel that way. My family has a long history of service and those who died serving. I care. I just think of the bigger picture. Maybe think of HI like another country which it was-we eventually took it over. It’s like being upset that the Philippines is doing something historical and significant for their people on the same day. Why can’t Shinnyo and Mem Day co-exist? How does their ceremony prevent all the millions of others from celebrating Memorial Day?? How is it, or any other local, cultural, regional or religious ceremony doing anything to Mem Day? Are we going to ask every religion and culture now to adapt to whatever we deem most appropriate? And moreso as we occupy their land. Should First Nations/Native Americans now work around all our beliefs and holidays?
Russell Ramsey, 4.30.24
Wow!!! Not sure where Russ conjured up his account of history in Hawai’i, but sounds like someone who hates America, not wears the US military uniform. He’s apologizing claiming USA took over the islands. As a local resident of Hawai’i for nearly 20 years, I shared a more accurate short summary from his warped view of history:
Russ wrote, “Maybe think of HI like another country which it was–we took it over.”
WE didn’t take over Hawai’i. Kamehameha TOOK over Hawai’i … how? He partnered with British to acquire long guns and cannons, which he used against Kanaka who had wooden spears and clubs. Kamehameha KILLED in the islands for 30 years. Not Americans or the USA.
In 1823, USA was first to recognize Kingdom of Hawai’i independence. Not all nations did. In 1843, USA warships booted British & French from Hawai’i … Kanaka memorialize and celebrate this day: Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day).
King Kamehameha III signed The Great Mahele in 1848. This allowed foreigners to buy land in Hawai’i. The king allocated 1% of land to common Kanaka peasants.
In 1887, LOCAL people, the Honolulu Rifles, led by William W Hall, founder of Hawaiian Electric, demanded a NEW constitution from King Kalakaua. David was a lavish spender and HIGH taxer. Local people rebelled. Nobody anywhere in the world likes high taxes, right? They put king on an allowance and limited his power.
King signed … when kings sign, it’s official and the law of the land. Kalakaua died in 1891. His sister, Lydia, assumed the throne under name of Queen Lili’uokalani. She wanted ALL power returned, and initiated a campaign to undo the 1887 agreement in 1893. LOCAL people arrested her for treason and imprisoned her in the ‘Iolani Palace, which had been built using TAXES from the People & business community. Lydia officially abdicated the throne in 1895; recognized the Republic of Hawai’i as the legitimate government, along with 20 other nations.
The Prince, Kanaka Maoli Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole, became Hawai’i territory rep to US Congress. He called for US statehood in 1920. Residents in Hawai’i voted for statehood, 93%, in 1959. Hawai’i is NOT another country. Hawai’i is the 50th state in the United States of America.
Finally, you asked, “Why can’t Shinnyo and Mem Day co-exist?”
It can. Sunday for Shinnyo-en and Monday for the fallen military, as intended. We made this offer. Call it Memorial Weekend … Japan and USA working together. Increase HARMONY, as a Buddhist Order seeks. Do not divide and cause pain. Share the weekend!!! Do not TAKE OVER important events of others. SHARE the love and aloha!!!
I concluded:
“Brother, you need to UNDERSTAND history!!! Your family served with HONOR, I’m certain. You fail to HONOR your family and families of others. Be Better, please!!! Aloha ~”
Russ wanted to continue, claiming “there are other versions of HI history than yours. Hawaiian history captured in books, shared by the people…and in documentaries and even in library of congress. So I agree to disagree…With your limited, incomplete picture. And still fail to see how these two events on the same day discredit each other.”
It was an annexation driven by greed & world posture. An 1875 trade reciprocity treaty further linked the two countries and U.S. sugar plantation owners from the United States came to dominate the economy and politics of the islands. When Queen Liliuokalani moved to establish a stronger monarchy for the people, Americans under the leadership of Samuel “Dole” deposed her in 1893. The planters’ belief that a coup and annexation by the United States would remove the threat of tariff on sugar also spurred his backers to action. The administration of President Benjamin Harrison encouraged the takeover, and dispatched sailors from the USS Boston to the islands to surround the royal palace.
Dole sent a delegation to Washington in 1894 seeking annexation, then on his own declared Hawaii an independent republic. Spurred by the nationalism aroused by the Spanish-American War, the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898 at the urging of President William McKinley. Hawaii was made a territory in 1900, and Dole one of the largest land owners and leader of American businessmen leveraging the island’s resources for incredible profit conveniently became its first governor. Tensions, treatment & racial attitudes deferred statehood until a bipartisan compromise linked Hawaii’s status to Alaska, and both became states in 1959.
Russell Ramsey, 5.1.24
My brief summary wasn’t sufficient for Russ. Time to dig deep into the historical account in the Hawaiian islands. “SURE. Let’s talk history,” I wrote:
You wrote, “It was an annexation driven by greed & world posture.”
Kamehameha I launched a 30-year war to capture ALL the islands under HIS rule; killing 10,000s of Polynesians. I would argue: It was an annexation driven by greed & world posture.
You wrote, “An 1875 trade reciprocity treaty further linked the two countries and U.S. sugar plantation owners from the United States came to dominate the economy and politics of the islands.”
[1] Trade Reciprocity … CORRECT. USA gave Hawai’i special trading rights to sell sugar in USA. Foreign nations suffered sugar tariffs in that time. USA gave Kingdom of Hawai’i Special Trading Rights — in exchange for Rights to Pearl Harbor. USA had NO interest in lands of Hawai’i. USA had plenty land. USA needed a strategic port in middle of Pacific for military and commerce. Sugar sales for Kingdom; Pearl for USA. Both nations benefited.
You wrote, “sugar plantation owners from the United States came to dominate the economy and politics of the islands.”
[2] Plantation owners were INVITED to Kingdom of Hawai’i … WHY? Kingdom had NO money. Monarchs were land rich, cash poor. How does one run a kingdom on flower lei and shells? Kanaka didn’t know HOW to raise sugar cane, run a sugar business. Kingdom brought consultants, business experts to Hawai’i … and TAXED the businesses to RAISE money for monarchs and their family. Sugar Dollars paid for Royalists to travel the world, send their keiki to finest universities, build ‘Iolani Palace and a massive ship for Kalakaua. Kalakaua was the FIRST king in world history to circumnavigate the globe in his brand new ship built in England. TAXES on sugar paid for this extravagance.
You wrote, “When Queen Liliuokalani moved to establish a stronger monarchy for the people …” THE PEOPLE???
[3] What did the monarchy do for the people? Under King Kamehameha III, he signed the Great Mahele … which allowed the sale of land. King allocated 1% of land for The People. KINGS do not DO for the people. The People were subjects of the crown. They were peasants. Lydia wanted MORE POWER for the monarchy!
You wrote, “Americans under the leadership of Samuel ‘Dole’ deposed her in 1893.”
[4] Americans??? Americans lived on mainland, 3000 miles away. Americans had NOTHING to do with 1893. LOCAL people who were invited to reside in the kingdom, some descendants from missionaries who came in 1820, imprisoned the queen. You can research the Honolulu Rifles … they were not American Rifles. These were LOCAL people were FED UP with high taxation of King Kalakaua in 1887; and when Lydia attempted to UNDO this agreement in 1893, LOCAL people gave her the boot.
Samual B. Dole was Chief Justice for the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Americans DID NOT hold this position. Naturalized citizens of the Kingdom did. And with the imprisonment of Lydia in 1893, LOCAL people created the Republic of Hawai’i in 1894, selected Dole as the first & only president of the Republic.
You wrote, “The planters’ belief that a coup and annexation by the United States would remove the threat of tariff on sugar also spurred his backers to action.” The Treaty of Reciprocity 1875 removed the imposition of sugar tariff. Your comment is FALSE.
You wrote, “The administration of President Benjamin Harrison encouraged the takeover, and dispatched sailors from the USS Boston to the islands to surround the royal palace.”
[5] President Harrison NEVER encouraged the takeover of Hawai’i. Harrison NEVER dispatched sailors from the USS Boston in January 1893. Harrison lost the election of 1892 to Cleveland. Power changed in March during that era, but Cleveland was coming in; Harrison going out.
Minister Stevens living in Hawai’i summoned Marines from the USS Boston when rioting appeared possible to break out. Stevens had NO direct communication with Washington DC at that time. Took about 30 days to get communications from Hawai’i to DC and back to Hawai’i. Stevens did what officials do today when violence in a foreign country breaks out — they PROTECT Americans and American interests. US foreign policy today will GET Americans to safety if necessary. US Marines DID NOT fire ONE SHOT or kill anybody. They simply stood guard around Americans in hotels and businesses.
You wrote, “Dole sent a delegation to Washington in 1894 seeking annexation, then on his own declared Hawaii an independent republic.”
[6] Yes. He did. He appealed to President Cleveland. Lydia also appealed to Cleveland. Dole wanted USA to recognized Republic of Hawai’i. Lydia wanted Cleveland to restore the kingdom. President Cleveland had NO executive power to do either. Congress decides such matters. And, LOCAL people in Hawai’i declared the Republic of Hawai’i, not USA officials. LOCAL people selected Dole to be first & only president. USA had no official role.
You wrote, “Spurred by the nationalism aroused by the Spanish-American War, the United States annexed Hawai’i in 1898 at the urging of President William McKinley.”
[7] You call it nationalism … not correct. Due to SA War, USA added Puerto Rico, Philippines and Hawai’i to territorial jurisdiction. Didn’t change ANY local governments. Just put a LEGAL barrier around ALL THREE countries — saying STAY OUT to other foreign interests.
What happened? [a] Puerto Rico FREELY remains a territory today. Most residents WANT to join USA as the 51st state. Republicans block such requests. Filipinos immediately declared war in 1898 against USA and furthered a guerrilla campaign for independence … until the breakout of WWII. Then Japanese conquered the islands. ALL HELL BROKE OUT !!!
[b] Filipinos have not forgotten what Imperial Japan did to them: suffering great loss of life and tremendous physical destruction by the time the war was over. An estimated 527,000 Filipinos, both military and civilians, were killed from all causes; of these between 131,000 and 164,000 were killed in seventy-two war crime events.
Filipinos do not forget the Bataan Death March and forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war from municipalities of Bagac and Mariveles on the Bataan Peninsula to Camp O’Donnell via San Fernando. Estimates of POW casualties prior to reaching Camp O’Donnell range from 5,000 to 18,000 Filipino deaths and 500 to 650 American deaths during the march.
So USA and Filipinos stopped their infighting and teamed up against Imperial Japan. Working together, they FREED the Philippines and crushed the Japanese. USA granted the Philippines FULL Independence in 1946, and we have treaties of reciprocity and protection with Filipinos today.
[c] In Hawai’i, war did not break out. There were a couple small skirmishes, but nothing lasted. Kanaka did not wage a guerrilla campaign, as did Filipinos. Kanaka did nothing. Didn’t matter to them. Kingdom didn’t care about The Common People. Change in government didn’t change their lives.
[d] In 1895, Queen Lili’uokalani formally abdicated the throne, and along with 20 other nations officially recognized the Republic of Hawai’i and President Sanford B. Dole, as the legal and legitimate government of the Hawaiian islands. The 85-year-old monarchy established by Kamehameha in 1810 ended.
In 1903, the Last Prince of the Royal Family, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, was elected as delegate to US Congress representing the territory. He ran as a Republican and defeated the opponent from the Home Rule Party. The Prince served in US Congress until his death in 1923. He’s considered a progressive leader: endorsed woman suffrage and successfully lobbied for passage of a homesteading bill, aid to education, and other benefits for Hawaiians. The Prince called for US statehood in 1919.
Residents of Hawai’i VOTED 93% in 1959 to join the USA as the 50th state.
Unfortunately, Russell Ramsey, You’re an American HATER in military uniform that has a very poor understanding of history. Puerto Rico FREELY remains a territory today. Filipinos fought and earned FREEDOM. Kanaka chose not to fight. The Prince represented the Kanaka and islands. Their official rep called for statehood. How shameful you are to REFUSE to defend the fallen heroes in USA uniform that gave ALL for our freedoms and privileged way of life!!!
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