Hawaiian group calls
annexation observance
a success

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Organizers of this summer's centennial annexation observance had differing views of the way Hawaii was annexed to the United States, Keanu Sai says.

Sai headed the history subcommittee of the group and said he was surprised that members noted historical developments out of context or that were not historically accurate.

Sai said many were shocked when they learned of the anti-annexation petition of 1897 and of the way the United States annexed the islands.

A few people afterward questioned their knowledge of Hawaiian history, Sai said. "Nevertheless, we all continued and we came to a conclusion that these are the historical facts that generally give an overview of the era that transpired in that political climate," he said.

Sai and other members of the Hawaii Loa Ku Like Kakou steering committee told the Office of Hawaiian Affairs yesterday the centennial was a success in raising public awareness of the events that led to the Aug. 12, 1898, annexation.

OHA donated about $18,000 for the centennial, which included an around-the-island torch walk, an overnight vigil, a march from the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu to Iolani Palace, where daylong events were held Aug. 12.

The highlight was the noon raising of the Hawaiian flag atop Iolani Palace on Aug. 12. It marked the exact time of day a 100 years ago that the Hawaiian flag was lowered and replaced with the U.S. flag.

Hawaii Loa Chairman Mel Kalahiki said the observance was a pivotal point for Hawaiians in clearly understanding their history and in affirming their belief that the annexation was illegal because it was done by a resolution instead of a joint treaty signed by leaders of the U.S. and the Hawaiian nation.

Kalahiki said organizers came to the table with their own agendas for the centennial, but "ironed out" their differences on what they wanted to do. "The mission now is for all of us to go out there and educate Hawaiian communities about our history," he said.

"We need to bring back what is pono. We cannot settle for anything less. We must demand the president and Congress not hamper efforts to bring back the monarchy, as well as reinstate the lands and money now under the state of Hawaii," he said.

Member Lynette Cruz told OHA Sovereignty Committee Chairwoman Hannah Springer a final report will be done by Oct. 31, and sent to her by Nov. 15. Springer asked for the presentation because she said beneficiaries wanted to hear from organizers of the centennial.

Cruz said the report will include an statement by Kalahiki, an overview of the events, copies of the media coverage they generated, as well as a copy of a 15-minute video produced by the Hawaiian Patriotic League on the annexation entitled, "We Are Who We Were."

Kalahiki said Hawaiians must work with people and groups that have a plan of action to help build a strong and durable Hawaiian government. Afterward, trustee Rowena Akana said OHA could be that agent if it used its 1988 Operation Blueprint Report as the groundwork to achieve Hawaiian sovereignty.

The three-part report, among other things, called for the acknowledgment of the rights of native Hawaiians to self-determination, the return of state lands and resources to Hawaiians, and the reaffirmation of the trust relations between native people and the state and federal governments, Akana said.

It also recommended protection of access to fishing and gathering spots for native traditional and cultural uses, and for the protection of water rights, which today would include submerged lands, she said.