HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE IS ABOUT A COUNTRY
The Honolulu Advertiser - Letters to the Editor -Monday, February 28, 2005
Regarding the joint commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Hawaiian kingdom "overthrow" anniversary -
What David Rosen fails or refuses to recognize (Letters, Feb. 15), first, is that the struggle for Hawai'i's independence is about a country and its nationality, not about race.
The Hawaiian kingdom was (is) an inclusive country with nationals of many races enjoying equal rights and protections, and that is what those of us who support independence seek to restore.
Second, later in his life, Dr. King took a strong stand against colonialism, imperialism and militarism. This, as much as his message on race, is what has relevance for Hawai'i historically and today.
Rosen also makes a statement about an article from the Los Angeles Times in which, Rosen says, "a Marine was quoted as articulating an apparently prevalent sentiment among Hawai'i-based military personnel and their dependents that 'we're just not wanted (in Hawai'i) ... I can't wait to leave.' "
The sentiment expressed, however, when read in context, is clearly due to the fact that they are military personnel, and is based on the behavior and impact of the military, and has nothing to do with race.
The article actually only demonstrates how widespread resistance is to the U.S. military presence in Hawai'i.
More and more people are recognizing the fact that Hawai'i is occupied, something that I have no doubt Dr. King would have opposed had he been aware of the truth of Hawai'i's history that has been exposed in recent years.
Scott Crawford
Hana, Maui
