Ali‘iōlani Hale: Scene of a Crime – 1893 Overthrow
The world-famous statue of King Kamehameha I stands in front of a building widely recognized for housing the fictive police/detective unit in the popular Hawai‘i Five-0 television series (2010-2018). It was the scene of a real crime and violation of international law. On January 17, 1893, the government of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i was overthrown by U.S. diplomatic, military, and business personnel. Queen Lili‘uokalani was deposed and a proclamation announcing the creation of a provisional government occurred at the makai (ocean) entrance to the building. Later, in 1898, Hawai‘i was illegally annexed by the U.S., and still later, in 1959, it became the 50th state of the U.S. through an illegal plebiscite.
Ali‘iōlani Hale currently houses the Hawai‘i State Supreme Court. Can an American judicial system ethically function within a colonized or occupied country? How is this possible? Whose paradise is this?
[Images on front: Ali‘iōlani Hale, statue of King Kamehameha I, and elements of an exhibit panel found in the back hallway of the historic building. Panel depicts the overthrow: U.S. marines mobilized to “protect American lives and property,” portraits of the men who planned the overthrow, bulletin declaring Martial Law by provisional government in January 1893. Because of its location, visitors rarely see this panel.]
When is an apology not enough? When is an apology not enough?
On November 23, 1993, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 103-150 by a joint resolution acknowledging the active participation of the U.S. in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893. It further acknowledges that the Native Hawaiian people never relinquished claims to their inherent sovereignty. Known as the “Apology Resolution,” it was signed by President William Clinton. In the final section it warns that “Nothing in this Joint Resolution is intended to serve as settlement of any claims against the United States.” What does this say about the integrity of the U.S. – to admit a crime but provide no legal restitution for those who were wronged?
[Image on front: Statue of Queen Lili‘uokalani, last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i with flower lei and gifts honoring her person and legacy. Text excerpt from the Apology Resolution. Photographs in lower right from a Hawaiian sovereignty/ independence rally: 1) Kingdom of Hawai‘i flags flying upside down to signal political“distress,” 2) banner depicting the words of U.S. President Grover Cleveland in December 1893 denouncing the invasion of Hawai‘i as an “act of war” by the U.S.on a friendly nation.]
Settler Colonialism/Occupation:
Over a Century of Colonialism in Hawai‘i
Did you know that in 1893 the constitutional monarchy in Hawai‘i wasoverthrown by U.S. diplomatic, military, and business personnel? In 1898 Hawai‘i was illegally annexed by the U.S. as a territory, and in 1959 it became the 50th state of the U.S. by an illegal plebiscite.
Some scholars describe the historic and contemporary situations as examples of settler colonialism. Others explain that under international law Hawai‘i is under occupation, similar to what occurred when the U.S.invaded Iraq in 2003. Shouldn’t all visitors to Hawai‘i be aware of the tumultuous political background of this place?
[Images on front: Warning flag and hotels along Waikīkī Beach]
Under Siege in Hawai‘i
Government and private agencies in Hawai‘i are currently battling a “silent” invasion of alien plant and animal species threatening the fragile island ecosystem. Measures have been established to combat the arrival of these “pests.” No agency exists, however, to assess the historic and contemporary damage done by the invasion of another alien species – non-Hawaiian settlers – nor to make recommendations for remediation. In 1991, Native Hawaiian scholar Haunani-Kay Trask wrote a damning critique of tourism and the relentless commodification of the indigenous culture. She famously asked tourists to stop coming to the islands. More recently, many Native Hawaiians and their allies have protested the construction of an 18-story-high Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on the sacred mountain of Mauna Kea, where over a dozen multinational telescopes already exist. As far back as 1998, a state audit chastised the manager of the telescope complex, the University of Hawai‘i, for failing to protect the mountain and its natural and cultural resources. Today, protests continue against the proposed intrusion of TMT. Should the desire to see ancient galaxies in the sky prevent us from recognizing the cumulative effect of assaults on the land and violations of traditional Hawaiian practices on earth? Whose paradise is this?
[Image on front: Details of Waikīkī Beach and proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea.]