Post #20972 by aquarj on Sun, Jan 26, 2003 4:17 PM

Yes, there will probably always be a population in Hawaii that would like to work towards independence in various forms. But, I'd just like to comment that the movement doesn't necessarily represent the consensus. I personally know a lot of Hawaiians on Kauai, native and otherwise, who considered themselves extremely fortunate to be part of the U.S. after hurricane Iniki a few years ago, and for other reasons too. In a specific case, our family knows a descendant of the queen's family who doesn't favor the independence movement at all.

I've read about the original annexation to the U.S., and the thing is that there were also many who were happy about it (not just the cliche bad guys - "rich" businessmen), partly because of their own potential improved quality of life, and also often partly because of their own dissatisfaction with the monarchy. It's not unheard of for a population to want to shed the control of a monarchy - consider the founding of the U.S. itself. Not to discount those who were originally opposed to annexation; it's a valid position, just not the only one that existed, then or now.

But for the people who want independence, it's too bad when it degenerates in some cases to an overall anti-haole attitude, because it makes it look like all Hawaiians are bitter, negative and un-welcoming, when that's not true AT ALL!

-Randy