Paradise Purloined

> MAUI TODAY, > Maui Yesterdays No Comments

Aloha
NEW MOON 09-11-07, 02:45am

HAWAIIAN WORD OF THE DAY
`Aieue: Thief, to steal
HAWAIIAN PROVERB OF THE DAY
“A thief is also a liar.”
Maui TV News Maui Calendar

On September 10, 1897, Republic of Hawaii President Dole signed the annexation treaty and the Hawaiian Senate approved it, moving the Kingdom of Hawaii closer to becoming a part of the United States.

Overthrown Queen LiliukalaniSo many books have been written about this time in Hawaiian history, and yet they perhaps fail to fully explain the scope of injustice, from land grabbing in the name of American Commerce and Christian Fundamentalism, to the sheer audacity of the United States assumption that Hawaiians could not govern themselves.

The process itself was not long in culminating but was more difficult than the perpetrators had planned. In early 1893, a cabal of American-born planters, lead by Sanford Ballard Dole, overthrew Queen Liliukalani. At the time, one American Minister to Hawaii was quoted as saying, “The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for the United States to pluck it.”

Chief thief Sanford Dole Funny enough, when it came time to sign the annexation into law, Democratic President Grover Cleveland refused on principle, saying, “I regarded and still regard the proposed annexation of Hawaii as not only opposed to our national policy but as a perversion of our national mission. The mission of our nation is to build up and make a great country out of what we have, instead of annexing islands.”

Stymied but not outdone, the country thieves refused to return what they had taken. Instead, they created the “Republic of Hawaii”, and sat on their ill-gotten gains until the next president, Republican William McKinley, gained office. He was glad to move annexation along and it was under his presidency that the disgusting deed was finally made law.  Read more

Lowering Kingdom flag upon theft of Hawaii

Sound familiar? It’s a good thing that the United States learned a valuable lesson, and since that time has not invaded or occupied other countries, nor taken over their governments, or avoided “nation building” or … oh that’s right -  we’re talking about the usual pack of liars and thieves. Never mind.

 Don’t forget Dennis, on Maui September 14th. Read about it

Submit Your Photos for Maui Almanac Photographer of the Week