The United States and the Hawaiian Islands

What has gone unnoticed by most, however, is that 1998 also marks the 100th anniversary of the United StatesÆ ôpeacefulö annexation of the Hawaiian islands. Most Americans are blissfully ignorant of how Hawaii came to be a part of the United States, and even if made aware, would likely view the American actions in the 1890s as a footnote on the road to Hawaiian statehood. No different, for example, than the annexation of California and the rest of the West after the Mexican-American War.

But for the majority of native Hawaiians, the annexation was a travesty of justice, the tragic end to a ruinous relationship between the islands and the West. That the United States, a nation ostensibly committed to democracy and self-determination, committed this palpably unlawful act makes it particularly galling. Native Hawaiians view the annexation as illegal and corrupt for three main reasons: One, the Hawaiian government that pushed for the treaty was illegitimate; two, the people of Hawaii never agreed to the transfer of sovereignty; and three, the United States viola

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an idea that enjoyed the support of two-thirds of the registered voters in Hawaii (Dougherty 168). The new constitution would restore the rights of the monarchy and those native Hawaiians. Only true Hawaiians would be allowed to vote, the cabinet would be marginalized, and the queen would have final say over matters of government (Daws 271). The proposed constitution provided the opportunity for the Annexation Club, which had been formed in early 1892 and been waiting for a precipitous move by Liliuokalani (Tate 236). Liliuokalani had already created an uproar among the missionaries by signing bills legalizing a lottery and the sale of opium, while American businessmen, squeezed by the sugar subsides, saw annexation as the only way to insure access to mainland markets. The groups united, and helped by John Stevens, AmericaÆs minister (ambassador) to Hawaii, overthrew the government. Stevens ordered an American warship anchored in Pearl Harbor to send troops ashore. Their ostensible purpose: Put down a rebellion that did not exist and protect American lives that were not in danger. Their actual mission: Oust the government, which they did by surrounding LiliuokalaniÆs palace, forcing her to abdicate. The leaders of t
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Some common words found in the essay are:
King Kamehameha, Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii United, Cook Westerner, Jack Meanwhile, Moreover Americans, Grover Cleveland, Senate Treaties, David Kalakaua, McKinley Senate, native hawaiians, native hawaiian, hawaiian people, hawaiian islands, provisional government, native hawaiian population, hawaiian government, spanish-american war, resolution 19, joint resolution, queen liliuokalani, joint resolution 19, united violated own, native hawaiians remain, majority native hawaiians,
Approximate Word count = 2529
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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