[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: However, the history is far removed from that of Alaska and Hawaii, territories which applied for statehood and were accepted as part of the US willfully, with no ongoing secessionist movement.
While it may be that Hawaii AS A TERRITORY "applied for statehood and was accepted as part of the US willfully," how it got to be a territory in the first place is another story, and there IS indeed an "ongoing secessionist movement." The kingdom of Hawaii and her Queen were overthrown in 1893 and annexed to the United States in 1898, led by a small group consisting of businessmen and descendants of missionaries, mostly American, with the assistance of American troops. Sadly, the plight of the Native Hawaiians since that time is similar to that of other indigenous peoples (the various tribes of the American Indians and Native Alaskans, for example): decimation of the Native Hawaiian population, loss of land, near-extinction of their language, culture and spiritual beliefs, higher-than-average infant mortality rates, lower life-expectancy rates, higher incidences of diseases such as cancer and heart disease, over-representation on welfare and in prison populations, feelings of disenfranchisement, etc. In November 2000, Congress passed a joint resolution apologizing for the overthrow and the United States' complicity and participation in the events. Within the last twenty years or so, however, there has been a renaissance within the Native Hawaiian community to restore its music, language, cultural/spiritual practices and a growing movement towards sovereignty. What direction that goes -- reparations, return of ceded lands, nation-within-a-nation status or outright secession and complete independence -- remains to be seen. For a more thorough discussion, http://www.hawaii-nation.org Okay, history lesson's over. Sorry to go on so long. Thought it was about time I started contributing, as I have learned SO much from you guys! But I should get back to the music, right? Regards, Bill Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com
