How the US Stole Hawaii

Summary

This video chronicles the history of Hawaii, from its volcanic origins to its annexation by the United States in 1898. It highlights the peaceful resistance of the Hawaiian people against foreign interference, particularly the takeover by American missionaries-turned-businessmen seeking control over Hawaii’s resources, especially sugar. The video also addresses the cultural erasure and suppression of Hawaiian traditions, such as the banning of the Hawaiian language. Despite these challenges, the video emphasizes the resilience of the Hawaiian people in preserving their language and culture, even in the face of imperialism and land exploitation.

Takeaways

• 🌋 Takeaway 1: Hawaii's volcanic origins began 40 million years ago when the ocean floor cracked open, and molten lava formed islands.
• 🚢 Takeaway 2: A group of people arrived in Hawaii around 2000 years ago, eventually forming the Kingdom of Hawaii, which became a sovereign nation.
• 🇺🇸 Takeaway 3: In the late 1800s, American missionaries in Hawaii transitioned from spreading religion to establishing profitable sugar businesses.
• 💰 Takeaway 4: By the end of the 1800s, descendants of American missionaries had amassed great wealth and political power in Hawaii.
• ⚔️ Takeaway 5: In 1893, a local militia of white American descendants, with support from the U.S. military, overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy.
• 📜 Takeaway 6: Queen Lili'uokalani was forced to surrender her power during the coup, and Sanford Dole, a sugar magnate, became the new leader of Hawaii.
• ✊ Takeaway 7: Despite protests and petitions, the U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898, marking the end of its sovereignty and the beginning of U.S. control.
• 📚 Takeaway 8: The U.S. imposed widespread cultural erasure by banning the Hawaiian language and altering historical narratives.
• 🌺 Takeaway 9: In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state, but the effects of cultural destruction continued to linger.
• 🤝 Takeaway 10: Despite the colonial impact, efforts to preserve Hawaiian language and culture continue, with schools offering Hawaiian immersion and ongoing protests to protect sacred lands.

Q & A

What event led to the formation of the Hawaiian Islands?

The Hawaiian Islands were formed around 40 million years ago when the ocean floor cracked open, allowing molten lava to flow out. As the lava cooled upon contact with the cold ocean water, it turned solid and eventually formed mountains, which grew into a chain of islands.

How did the Kingdom of Hawaii come into being?

The Kingdom of Hawaii was formed when a group of people arrived on the islands in canoes around 2000 years ago. These communities eventually unified into one kingdom, establishing a sovereign nation in the Pacific.

How did the Kingdom of Hawaii's sovereignty end?

The sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii was lost when it was overthrown by a group of American sugar plantation owners and missionaries, aided by military support from the United States in 1893. This resulted in Hawaii becoming a U.S. territory.

Who was Queen Lili'uokalani, and what role did she play in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom?

Queen Lili'uokalani was the monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii at the time of its overthrow in 1893. She was forced to abdicate after American-backed forces, including a militia of white settlers, staged a coup and replaced her with Sanford Dole, a pro-American businessman.

What role did the American missionaries and their descendants play in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom?

The American missionaries who had initially come to Hawaii to spread Christianity later became heavily involved in business, particularly the sugar trade. Their descendants, who had established significant economic and political power, led the effort to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy in the late 1800s.

What was the role of the U.S. military in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom?

The U.S. military played a pivotal role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by sending troops to the capital, Honolulu, in support of the American-backed militia. This external military intervention turned what was initially an internal conflict into a coup sponsored by a foreign power.

What happened to Hawaii after it became a U.S. territory in 1898?

After Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898, its culture and way of life were systematically eroded. The Hawaiian language was banned in schools, and U.S. government policies favored English over Hawaiian. Many sacred Hawaiian sites were developed, and historical records were often altered to present a version of history that downplayed the resistance to American occupation.

How did the U.S. government respond to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in later years?

In 1993, the U.S. government issued a formal apology for its role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. President Bill Clinton signed a letter acknowledging the wrongs committed a century earlier, but this gesture did not reverse the damage done to Hawaiian sovereignty and culture.

What efforts have been made to preserve Hawaiian culture and language after its annexation?

Despite the historical suppression of Hawaiian culture, efforts have been made to preserve it. The Hawaiian language has been carefully preserved, with Hawaiian language immersion schools established. Additionally, Hawaiian traditions and sacred sites are actively protected by modern Hawaiian resistance movements.

How does the story of Hawaii’s annexation reflect broader patterns of imperialism?

Hawaii’s annexation is an example of imperialism, where a foreign power forcibly takes control of another nation, disregarding its sovereignty and the will of its people. The United States used military might to back the interests of American businessmen in Hawaii, highlighting the exploitation of local resources for economic gain.