June 11, 2014     Hawaii Part 1:  We are All Visitors (1900 - Statehood)
June 18, 2014     Hawaii Part 2:  Who Owns the Islands (1960 - present)

Part 1:

If, like so many others, you’ve read James Michener’s book, “Hawaii” chapter 1 is a lengthy story of the natural pre-contact creation of the isles.  Michener successful and skillfully (and perhaps purposely tells us this how the islands were volcanically formed; how the sea pounded its newly born shores and how the flora and fauna of Hawaii began.  There are no humans; no groups claiming ownership of the lands.

With the arrival of the first humans, Hawaii continues on its insular path though in time of rigid hierarchy and early feudal system based on kingdoms and the ordinary people.  European contact in the 1700s plays a major role in transforming the islands into a destination for religious manifest destiny from New England to business entrepreneurs involving in trade and industry.  In turn many immigrants from around the world especially from Asia begin their flow into the islands.  This is the prelude to, and early years of, the 20^th century. 

 

One of the most significant products of these new waves is the introduction of the concept of land owner.  The value intrinsically placed on land would have an impact of previous feudal notions under the earlier kingdom of Hawaii

Part 2:

Today we look at Hawaii’s Military, labor, education, and acculturation.  Earlier a few Beneath the Waves programs ago, in the program on “Manifest Destiny and Colonialism”, the US at the beginning of the 20^th century was keen to secure its international status. American exceptionalism, and what was called Manifest Destiny –America’s mission to expand westward across the North American continent, spreading its form of democracy, freedom, and culture – was the political call.

President William McKinley advocated annexation of the Territory of Hawaii in 1898, saying "We need Hawaii as much and a good deal more than we did California. It is manifest destiny." Some tried to blocked the annexation of Hawaii alluding to Hawaii’s non-European heritage incapable of becoming part of the dominant US demographics of the time.

 

 

.