The Ending of the Annexation Begins With The Mahele
The life we live today in Hawai’i was determined by what happened almost 150 years ago. Think about it...really think about it. Back then, almost 167 years ago, a dark cloud casted over Native Hawaiians, more specifically commoners, as they lost something valuable to them. Land. The Great Mahele brought great effects to both Hawaiians and Non-Hawaiians as it was the start of the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom and the annexation. The Paulet Affair raised suspicion as to whether the foreigners would would continue to hunt for land. As foreigners settled down, the hunger for land began to grow because they needed land for business and investment. The Hawaiians had a hard time adapting to
…show more content…
the idea of owning land because they thought the land belonged to their gods.
However, the constant demand for lands increased, resulting in them caving in and thus, the Great Mahele began. The committee who appointed who the land goes to was made up of Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli and the Land Commission. The division was among the King, Chiefs and Maka’ainana. The effects were brutal, especially towards the Maka’ainana. The importance of the Great Mahele is ineffable as it is one of the greatest causes of the overthrow of Hawaii.
The Mahele divided lands into portions. The first division was made by the Land Commission. The Land Commission was a group of people who were appointed to study land claims of both Hawaiians and foreigners.They had the idea of splitting the land into thirds and giving the equal sections to the King, Chiefs, and Maka’ainana. Nonetheless, the division was never accepted. King Kamehameha III was then given the responsibility to share the lands. The King then officially divided the land into 2
…show more content…
portions, 40% would go to the Chiefs and 60% to the king. Six weeks later, on March 7 1848, the lands were divided further by Kauikeaouli. The chiefs did not automatically gain their lands, they had to present a claim to the Land Commission and pay a commutation fee. The King would have to grant the permission along with the Land Commission issuing a title. However, many chiefs relinquished the land they claimed. The Maka’ainana were forgotten; subsequently, the Kuleana Act was implemented in August 1850. It made it possible for Maka’ainana to own land in fee-simple. The Maka'ainana had to have their land surveyed; file a claim with the Land Commission; and support the claim by proving that the land was cultivated for the purpose of earning a living; attend a hearing and etc….. The list goes on. The process was complicated and the deadline was shorter than chiefs and foreigners. The foreigners were entitled to own land after the Resident Alien Act. During the period in which the Mahele took place, a common source of money was from farms and plantations. The Hawaiians being kicked out of their land meant they were homeless alongside losing their source of income. Conclusively, the Maka’ainana ended up with only 1% of the land; but what came next were a series of disasters. Majority of the Native Hawaiians lost land, meaning they were striped of their home, job and many other privileges. They were no longer allowed on their land. Their homes were taken away resulting in many becoming homeless. A common source of money was from farms and plantations. The Hawaiians being kicked out of their land meant they were homeless alongside losing their source of income.The Hawaiians counted on the land they owned to gather resources, but after being banned from their land the resources they needed were no longer available. (resources can include food, wood for huts etc..) They had to adapt to changes in their style of living.. On the contrary, not all Hawaiians lost land, Right away. Some Hawaiians actually succeeded in preserving their land. However, because of the high taxes and adverse possessions, they eventually lost land anyway. Adverse possessions, meaning abandonment of the land (because of limited resources) allowed a person to claim the land. Many immigrants from Asia came to Hawaii to work on plantations for the foreigners resulting in a growth of population. After losing the lands, Hawaiians also could not work on their farms and eventually lost money. Since the people were in need of a home, majority of the Hawaiians became part of an unpaid labor force used by chiefs and foreigners on large land holdings. The chiefs and foreigners benefited from the Maka'ainana misery. They took advantage of the desperate and weak Maka’ainana and put them into labor. The chiefs and foreigners did not have to pay them, resulting in saving money. As foreigners opened plantations, a certain treaty was just beginning. The Treaty of Reciprocity was established in 1875. The treaty allowed the transportation of sugar to be imported to the U.S without tariff. The sugar plantations began growing benefited sugar plantations owners, mostly foreigners. Beginning of new sugar plantations also meant bringing in work forces such as immigrants from different countries. After the Treaty of Reciprocity, Hawaii became very dependant on the U.S. Hawaii made huge amounts of profits from distributing products in the U.S, making Hawaii's economy dependant on America. In 1887 a new Reciprocity was signed. This new Reciprocity Treaty stated that the United States was allowed to use Pearl Harbor. It was official, U.S and Hawaii were tied together. The United States now understood the value of Hawaii and began plotting the annexation affecting the Hawaiian government majorly as it ended the Hawaiian monarchy. The foreigners also gained money from the lost of kuleana lands. As Hawaiians lost land from reasons such as high taxes to adverse possession, the foreigners bought and sold the land they gave up. Eventually after the annexation of Hawaii, to this day, only a small percentage of Hawaiians own land because of the effects of the Mahele listed above. Not only did the Mahele bring a bundle of land for the foreigners, results of Hawaiian losing land brought free labor forces. Why didn’t Hawaiians fight back?
It’s because when they lost their land, they lost their voice. There were several instances in which the people were stripped of their political power as in the Constitution of 1864, as it required citizens to own land in order to vote. “It required that a man own property to be allowed to vote and that voters born after 1840 be literate-able to read and write- in either English or Hawaiian” (A History of Hawaii 20). What does the right to vote mean? In today’s society, the right to vote is guaranteed for all American Citizens. It lets citizens chose their leaders and laws. However, back then, only certain people were allowed to vote, varying by different constitutions. Since majority of Hawaiians lost their land, they all could not vote. They couldn’t vote for laws that would have helped them restore their land. They couldn’t vote for leaders who believed Hawaiians were just as important as foreigners. (whites) This impacted the government severely. The Bayonet Constitution of 1887 required that civilians own land, as well as being productive, in order to own land. This constitution also gave foreigners more political power as suffrage was extended to them. As the voice of Hawaiians faded away, all of the political voices were mostly whites. They favored foreigners and made sure they kept their power. All of the laws that were written during this period, were laws that gave foreigners advantages and power. This also triggered the annexation
of Hawaii. Since most leaders were foreigners, they wanted Hawaii to belong to the United States, them being influential in the Hawaiian government, gave them an edge. On the contrary, there are some other conflicts that may have triggered the overthrow of the hawaiian kingdom. One other possible event that may have caused the overthrow is the abolishment of the Kapu system. The Kapu system was abolished by King Lunalilo when he took over the throne. He abolished it under the influence of his mother, Ka’ahumanu (prime minister). Her power was restricted by the kapu system. The system itself maintained the favor of Hawaiian religion, prohibits the abuse of resources, both ocean and land, and maintained social order. It separated the chiefs from the commoners. Without the kapu system, Hawaii’s culture was infiltrated with foreign religion and customs upon the natives. Suddenly the government changed, the guidelines were altered, and foreigners gained power. The abandonment of the kapu system lead to the government's vulnerability, making it easier for the foreigners to interfere. However, the kapu system only weakened the monarch. The Mahele, destroyed Hawaiian power. Without the power to vote, Hawaiians couldn’t do anything about the decisions being made by the foreigners. It was almost as if Hawaii’s government was already overthrown. Ownership of land is considered normal in today’s society. Back then, land was sacred as it brought power, wealth and religion connection to god. The Mahele, destroyed the Hawaiians power and wealth. It brought great effects such as increase in economy, losing Hawaiian political power and ultimately lead to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Losing political power is severely dangerous. Imagine a setting in which half of your country had no say in the government as it was ran by prejudice voices who worked against your beliefs. Even though the Mahele is considered very ancient as it happened over 100 years ago, the effects still last all the way to today. After the Mahele, many of the Maka’ainana became homeless. Hawaiians still fight for their land today. Native Hawaiians have received access to a token land base through complicated steps such as the Kuleana Act. Legal action is necessary to assure Native Hawaiians a future on the Island by having their rights protected. In conclusion, even though there are many events that may have caused the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom such as the abolishment of the kapu system, the Mahele prompted the overthrow as it caused a great deal of consequences and prosperity.
Kuykendall, Ralph S. The Hawaiian Kingdom, 1854-1874: Twenty Critical Years. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1953. Print.
The Shawnees are organized into five major groups. Chalagawtha and Thawegila supplied political leaders, Piquas were responsible for maintaining tribal rituals, Kispokothas supplied war chiefs, and Maykujays were specialists in medicine and health. Over time, and through the end of the book, their number dwindled and duties were interchanged, causing conflict. Since the Shawnees were continually at war, the position of war chief was of great importance.
The land of the Native Indians had been encroached upon by American settlers. By the
The Hawaiian culture is known throughout the western world for their extravagant luaus, beautiful islands, and a language that comes nowhere near being pronounceable to anyone but a Hawaiian. Whenever someone wants to “get away” their first thought is to sit on the beach in Hawai’i with a Mai tai in their hand and watch the sun go down. Haunani-Kay Trask is a native Hawaiian educated on the mainland because it was believed to provide a better education. She questioned the stories of her heritage she heard as a child when she began learning of her ancestors in books at school. Confused by which story was correct, she returned to Hawai’i and discovered that the books of the mainland schools had been all wrong and her heritage was correctly told through the language and teachings of her own people. With her use of pathos and connotative language, Trask does a fine job of defending her argument that the western world destroyed her vibrant Hawaiian culture.
In 1893, Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawaii gave up her throne to the United States of America. About five years after in 1898, Hawaii was officially annexed and became a part of the U.S.A. During this time, the Hawaiian people were bitter and mournful as they watched the foreigners slowly take over their kingdom. Many foreigners came to Hawaii to achieve one goal, to increase the power of foreigners and decrease the power of Native Hawaiians. The kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown with the use of force and was unethically taken. Although Hawaii received benefits that were mainly in their economy, it still does not make up for the wrongful taking of the Hawaiian kingdom.
The territory finally became a state in 1959, just ahead of Hawaii. Now, Hawaii is an archipelago, a chain of islands, located in the Central Pacific. Unlike Alaska, annexing Hawaii was due to United States imperialism. Around the middle 1800s, American began to migrate to the islands of Hawaii to start businesses, especially with sugarcane and pineapple. At that time, the islands were ruled by Queen Liliuokalani in a monarchy.
The arrival of the missionaries in Hawaii changed the lives of the natives in huge ways that lasted forever. The introduction of western houses and culture had a big influence on Hawaii. The native Hawaiians built their houses out of grass and had very simple villages, but when the missionaries established their settlement they built more sophisticated and sturdy homes out of coral and used western architectural methods to construct buildings. The Hawaiians soon following their lead and the royalty all had western palaces for homes. This also lead to an increase in technology, such as the use of wells and water lines to store fresh water for the towns. They also began to bring in and
While walking down the beach, the white, warm sand mushes between your toes. The sun’s radiant rays beam off your glowing skin. The sound of waves crashing blocks out the external world. There is no other place like the gorgeous tropical islands of Hawaii. The wide range of flowers, cuisine, and wildlife makes it one of the most picturesque places on Earth. It also leads the United States with the highest racial minority rate making it the most diverse state. However, there are numerous hidden dangers of Hawaii, and not all ethnic groups get along causing sharp tensions across the island.
To take these lands, American settlers physically invaded the lands to claim as their own, however, they also petitioned the Federal Government to remove the Indians from their native lands. By doing this, they gained the support of the government’s resources and influence, especially President Jackson’s. Using both political and military attacks, the settlers quickly gained the upper hand over the Indians.
...e" (Trask xix). This incident beautifully illustrates and signifies tourism's impact in American society. Like most Americans, this woman uses a discourse that has been shaped by tourist advertisements and souvenirs. The woman's statement implies that Trask resembles what the tourist industry projects, as if this image created Hawaiian culture. As Trask asserts, Hawaiian culture existed long before tourism and has been exploited by tourism in the form of advertisements and items such as postcards. Along with the violence, endangered environment, and poverty, this exploitation is what the tourist industry does not want to show. However, this is the Hawai'i Haunani-Kay Trask lives in everyday. "This is Hawai'i, once the most fragile and precious of sacred places, now transformed by the American behemoth into a dying land. Only a whispering spirit remains" (Trask 19).
The Hawaiian Seizure The annexation of Hawaii was an important event in the history of the world. It is still not easy for the Hawaiians to accept the fact that America has taken over a land 2500 miles away from the West Coast. In 1917, Hawaii was considered the 50th state supported by the islanders after a plebiscite. Queen Lydia Kamakaeha Liliuokalani was overthrown because of the support of the United States army as well as naval forces to a group of businessmen belonging to the sugar and pineapple industry. The Armed forces of the United States were ordered to provide this support on the directives of the minister of the United States to Hawaii.
...Hawai`i’s economy is very dependent on tourism, however many locals are possessive of their land, and as they stereotype tourists, many do not accept others as they have a unity for their own. Numerous individuals feel the desideratum to fit the local stereotype because they prefer not to be labeled as a “haole”. It becomes tough and rather intense for an individual, because becoming haole betokens that you forgot and disregarded the local or Hawaiian quality values and ways of routes, as well as the flowing stream of life in the islands. We need to remind ourselves that regardless of where we emanate from, our skin tone, race, physical characteristics, and so forth, everybody ought to acknowledge just for who we/they are and treat one another like 'ohana and show "aloha", and subsequently, we can determinately verbally express "This is it. This is Paradise" (33).
Jovik, Sonia P. and James O. Jovik. (1997). “History.” Atlas of Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, p.408.
American Hawaii Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, it’s nice year-round weather, and its culture. Thousands of vacationers come to Hawaii each year to get away from the stressful city and relax. But do they know how cruel the Americans were to the natives? Do they know how we corrupted their culture and their religion? Do they know how Hawaii really became a state? Probably not. When most people think of Hawaii, they think of happy Hawaiian babes hula dancing and palm trees swaying in the warm breeze. Hawaii has still held on to many of their traditions although they were invaded by Americans. But you have to go to a museum to see their old way of life. Hawaii is now populated mostly by Americans. Native Hawaiians have adapted to our American lifestyle and much of their old traditions and beliefs are lost in history books. America dominated over the Hawaiians just as they did with the Native Americans. The Hawaiians didn’t even stand a chance against big brother. They probably feel the same way towards America just as a child does with stubborn parents. Now I will tell you about the history of Hawaii so you will see how the United States came to annex Hawaii. Hawaii was first inhabited by the Polynesians. They came in canoes from other islands around the pacific. They called the new found island "Hawaii", which means "home" in Polynesian language. Hawaii was their home until the white man came in and took advantage of these simple, happy aborigines. The corruption of this unique and fragile culture first started when Captain James Cook ran into the islands on January 18, 1778. After Cook’s discovery, many other foreigners (mostly American) visited the islands. They brought clothes, livestock, orange trees, horses weapons and souvigners. Foreigners also brought with them a handful of deadly diseases such as smallpox, measles, syphilis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. During the time period of Cook’s arrival in 1778 to 1820, the population of Hawaii dropped from 300,000 to 135,000 due to the diseases! Another problem was the introduction of alcohol. Like the native americans, Hawaiians were not immune to alcohol. Hawaiian’s were very sensitive to alcoholism. Hawaiians religion was a very complex one with many gods. They worshiped idols and they belived in many f...
Many Native groups, because they were nomadic, didn't see land as belonging to one person. The idea that someone could come in, claim a piece of land and ban them f...