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As we commemorate Hawaii's Golden Jubilee - 50 years of statehood, we are tasked with accurately and sensitively depicting a historic event with controversial beginnings. The "50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission" is comprised of a very diverse group of individuals, representing a full spectrum of the many political, economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds found throughout these islands. While we recognize that statehood is a consequence of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 and subsequent annexation to the United States of America in 1898, we also acknowledge that statehood allows for the freedoms of expression we exercise today.
The absolute monarchy established under Kamehameha I began to transition to a constitutional monarchy starting in 1840 under the rule of Kamehameha III. The drafting of the 1852 Constitution marked the beginning of democratic reforms, such as the creation of a lower house in the national legislature with representatives elected by adult males. This process of democratization did not always go smoothly, and there was a continual "tug-of-war" between the ruling sovereign and the legislative body.
Hawaii was annexed to the United States at roughly the same time as Puerto Rico, Guam, and Samoa. However, it was the only island territory to have American citizenship extended to its residents from the beginning. Just after the turn of the century, Prince Kuhio Kalanianaole and Prince David Kawananakoa, both named heirs to the throne under the reign of Queen Liliuokalani and both imprisoned following the uprising against the annexationists in 1895, won election to the U.S. Congress as delegates. Prince David became a Democrat in 1900, while Prince Kuhio became a Republican in 1902.
In a few decades, the push for statehood would gain momentum. Although the issues surrounding the illegal overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani remained unresolved, new problems emerged alongside old festering ones. Ethnic tensions had been around for some time, but with the increasing strategic importance of Pearl Harbor and two world wars, tensions with the military rose dramatically. The business oligarchy that flexed its muscle under the monarchy continued to influence politics within the territorial government and the centralization of political power in Honolulu.
The arguments for and against statehood were substantial, with the complex history of the islands playing a major role. Discussion of annexation to the U.S. went as far back as the failed treaty of 1854, and both sides used historical events to illustrate and justify their positions in support of or opposed to statehood.
The year 1959 represents a culmination of well over a century of world politics played out within a tiny Polynesian kingdom in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Although the various players have come and gone, one thing has remained relatively constant: peace. Following the epic Battle of Nuuanu in 1795 at the hand of Kamehameha's forces and his consolidation of power over the all the islands east of Kauai, the Hawaiian archipelago would not see bloodshed or armed conflict on a large scale ever again.
Peace is a cornerstone of prosperity, and Kamehameha the Great recognized this early in his reign. If anything, peace is perhaps the single most significant benefit to be derived from statehood. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of statehood, we are also celebrating over a century of peace.
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