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==History==

==History==

The Hawaiian Islands were discovered in 1778 by Captain [[James Cook]]. The native Hawaiians were Polynesians and worshiped tiki gods. In the decades after Cook's visit the islands were united under one chief and eventually became a Christian kingdom through the help of missionaries.  

The Hawaiian Islands were discovered in 1778 by Captain [[James Cook]]. The native Hawaiians were Polynesians and worshiped tiki gods. In the decades after Cook's visit the islands were united under one chief and eventually became dominated by Christianity through the use of missionaries and oppresive outlawing of ancient Hawaiian cultural practices and language.  

Hawaii became united under King Kamehameha who forced all independent kingdoms in the Hawaiian Islands to join a Hawaiian Kingdom under his rule.  He did not do this via diplomacy or by elections.  He did it by conquest.   

Hawaii became united under King Kamehameha who forced all independent kingdoms in the Hawaiian Islands to join a Hawaiian Kingdom under his rule.  He did not do this via diplomacy or by elections.  He did it by conquest.   

The Hawaiian Kingdom flourished throughout the 19th century with several monarchs.  It became increasingly westernized.  This modernization of Hawaiian society eventually lead to the Hawaiian Revolution of 1893 when Hawaiian citizens (many of western descent) overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in response to her attempt to unilaterally impose a new constitution increasing her power.  The revolution was successful with the loss of no life.  The new Hawaiian government was set up as the Republic of Hawaii and it was recognized by every nation which had recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The Hawaiian Kingdom flourished throughout the 19th century with several monarchs.  It became increasingly westernized.  This modernization of Hawaiian society eventually lead to the Hawaiian Revolution of 1893 when the United States of America overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in response to her attempt to propose a new constitution increasing her native influence.  The revolution was successful with no loss of life.  The new Hawaiian government was set up as the Republic of Hawaii and it was recognized by every nation which had recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom though now a part of the USA through annexation and eventual statehood.

During the Hawaiian Revolution, American troops landed to protect American life and property.  They did not engage in fighting and did not occupy any government buildings.  However, this action has lead many historical revisionists to falsely claim that the United States invaded Hawaii and deposed the Queen.  American President [[Grover Cleveland]] was opposed to the Hawaiian Revolution and he sent [[James Henderson Blount]] to Hawaii to discredit it.  Blount failed to swear in witnesses, refused to speak to many involved in the revolution, and then issued a report blaming the whole matter on an elaborate American plot to invade Hawaii.  His Blount Report is cited as evidence of an illegal takeover of Hawaii by Hawaiian separatists to this day.

During the Hawaiian Revolution, American troops landed to show military might.  They did not engage in fighting and did not occupy any government buildings.  However, this action has lead many historical revisionists to claim that the United States invaded Hawaii and deposed the Queen.  American President [[Grover Cleveland]] was cautious about the Hawaiian Revolution and he sent [[James Henderson Blount]] to Hawaii to investigate it.  Blount concluded that the American diplomats and military commanders abused thier powers during the overthrow.  President Cleveland then cited numerous wrong doings to which he later back away from.  His report is cited as evidence of an illegal takeover of Hawaii by some Native Hawaiians to this day.

An investigation of the Hawaiian Revolution was conducted by [[Congress]] in 1894.  It was bipartisan, swore in witnesses, and interviewed many that James Blount refused to talk with.  Congress issued the Morgan Report which refuted the Blount Report and cleared the United States of any wrong doing during the Hawaiian Revolution.

An investigation of the Hawaiian Revolution was conducted by [[Congress]] in 1894.  Congress issued the Morgan Report which refuted the Blount Report and cleared the United States, by their own view, of any wrong doing during the Hawaiian Revolution.  Recently, the United States Congress issued an official apology to the Native Hawaiians for the deposition of the Hawaiian kingdom to which they recognized as illegal.  Many historians cite the Hawaiian annexation as the first sign of American Imperialism.

The Hawaiian Republic agreed to join the United States as a territory in 1898.  Congress annexed Hawaii via a Joint Resolution of Congress which was the same way [[Texas]] was annexed by the USA.  Some Hawaiian separatists claim that a joint resolution of Congress is not valid to annex another nation.  If this were true, Texas then is not legally American. As it clearly is, the argument is easily refuted.

The Republic of Hawaii agreed to join the United States as a territory in 1898.  Congress annexed Hawaii via a Joint Resolution of Congress which was the same way [[Texas]] was annexed by the USA.

Hawaii was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941.  This resulted in the death of many Americans and brought the United States into [[World War Two]]. The people of Hawaii were very helpful in the eventual American victory.

Hawaii was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941.  This resulted in the death of many Americans and brought the United States into [[World War Two]]. The people of Hawaii were very helpful in the eventual American victory.