Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 2, 1 February 1991 — U.S. at war for rights it onee denied Hawaiʻi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

U.S. at war for rights it onee denied Hawaiʻi

January 17, 1893 is a tragic day in the annals of Hawaiian history. Agents of the United States of America and non-native citizens of the Kingdom of Hawai'i plotted an overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani's government with the intimidating help of American military forces and a warship stationed in Honolulu harbor.

These events of 98 years ago, and the course that modern Hawaiians face to set things right were remembered in a Jan. 17 service at Kawaiaha'o Church. The service was followed by a torchlight procession to the statues of King Kamehameha 1 and Queen Lili'uokalani. It was the 15th annual Queen Lili'uokalani commemoration service, sponsored by the Council of Hawaiian Organizations and Ho'olako, ine. In 1993, the 100th anniversary of this sad event will be at hand. Despite the first federal report of U.S. Sen. Blount affirming the treasonous behavior of the Queen's citizens of American parentage commissioned by President Grover Cleveland and other subsequent investigations as well, native Hawaiians continue to wait patiently for just restoration and reparations of their lands and self rule.

The Council of Hawaiian Organizations has played a pivotal role in bringing about significant changes that benefit the general betterment and conditions of the Hawaiian people. Its philosophy of enabling and empowering self-direction and selfsufficiency undergirds almost two decades of working together to ensure positive changes. An understanding of Hawai'i's past allows the members of COHO to work within the context of a complex present to develop effective strategies that establish bright and lasting future for native Hawaiians. This year, COHO initiates a three-year long series of programs focused on both the history and future of Hawai'i's first settlers. The theme for 1991 is, "Yesterday — A Quest for Understanding." The 1992 theme will be, "Today, an Affirmation of the Legacy." The 100th

Commemorative Year's theme will be, "Tomorrow, A Design for the Future." The sweetness of the spirit of Hawai'i's beloved Queen Lili'uokalani, who shunned bloodshed and trusted in spiritual promise, is an enduring legacy of aloha that marks her people as special children of these islands. Mindful of a proud history and of the responsibility that is inherent in maintaining cultural integrity and values, the Council of Hawaiian Organizations keeps a steady determination and will in working towards a good and just society, for all.

OHA chairman Moses Keale said, 1 oday is a somber day for many reasons. Yesterday, the United States went to war with an aggressor who not so unlike those aggressors 98 years past stole a nation. We pray for the safety of all our troops in the mid-east and I ask you to keep them all in your hearts, minds and prayers. We pray for success not only for our troops in the mid-east but also for Kuwait, who, like the Kingdom of Hawai'i had a right to eonhnue to exist in peaee and harmony in this world. But most of all we pray for the justice and freedoms of ehoiee this conflict

battles to uphold. "It was on this very day, Jan.l7, 1981 that the embryo of a new nation was born on the very steps of that building that symbolized the Kingdom of Hawai'i and its overthrow — 'Iolani Palaee. Ten years ago, I along with eight newly-elected trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, mounted those steps to celebrate the birth of your office, the office of the Hawaiian people. For 79 years the Hawaiians were without a true, legally recognized spokesperson for the Hawaiian people. Today, we have such an office and I invite eaeh and everyone of you to make use of this vehicle for the betterment of the conditions of the Hawaiian people.

Keale added, "It is never too late to correct injustice. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is just a small beginning in our stride to correct this horrible injustice of 98 year ago. It is a legal entity created by our Hawaiian people and recognized by the people of the United States. It is through the laws of the United States that we shall establish the means to correctinjustice. Indeed, the wisdom of our Queen, when she yielded to U.S. forces 'to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life . . . ' has paid off. Today 98 years later we have avoided armed conflict and have begun to establish our rights to self-governance.

Let us set a positive goal this evenmg. Let us be resolved that when we stand at this spot two years from now to remember the 100th year of the abdication of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, that we will proclaim to our people, to the people of the United States who will be our partners in this mission, to our brothers and sisters of the Pacific, and to the people of the world, that we, the Hawaiian people, will establish the sovereign nation of Hawai'i within the great and just United States of America. Let us be resolved to be united in this mission. Let there be no enemies of this just cause among us. Let us fulfill the mission of our great Alii that we remember today and let us change the course of history for all of us, the Hawaiian people."

Queen Lili'uokalani