{"id":2010,"date":"2014-06-27T18:28:08","date_gmt":"2014-06-27T18:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/?p=2010"},"modified":"2014-06-28T08:05:06","modified_gmt":"2014-06-28T08:05:06","slug":"testimonies-to-the-u-s-department-of-interior-eerily-similar-to-voices-of-the-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/testimonies-to-the-u-s-department-of-interior-eerily-similar-to-voices-of-the-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Testimonies to the U.S. Department of Interior Eerily Similar to Voices of the Past"},"content":{"rendered":"

The hearings<\/a> held by the U.S. Department of Interior throughout the Hawaiian Islands are attracting both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians to give testimony\u2014the sleeping giant has awakened. What is astonishing is the level of legal sophistication and historical accuracies displayed by those giving their testimony. Combined with emotions, these testimonies are eerily similar to the voices of Hawaiians documented in an article in the September 30, 1897 publication of the San Francisco Call newspaper.<\/p>\n

This is a re-posting of a blog entry\u00a0on January 29, 2014.<\/p>\n

\"San_Francisco_Call\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Miriam_Michelson\"<\/a>The\u00a0article was published and authored by\u00a0Miriam Michelson<\/a>\u00a0who was an American journalist and writer. It\u00a0was written as Michelson was leaving Honolulu harbor on board the Steamship Australia heading to San Francisco. Michelson was sent to the Hawaiian Islands to do a story on annexation. Her story centers on a\u00a0signature petition<\/a>\u00a0against annexation being gathered throughout the islands by the Hawaiian Patriotic League (Hui Aloha \u2018Aina) and she bears witness to one of those meetings in the city of Hilo on the Island of Hawai\u2018i.<\/p>\n

It is a powerful article that speaks to the issue of annexation from the Hawaiian perspective and the article\u2019s title clearly speaks to the veracity of what the reader will read. Not known at the time, however, was whether or not the signature petitions would prevent the United States Senate from ratifying the so-called treaty of\u00a0\"Senator_Hoar\"<\/a>annexation. Before the Senate convened in December of 1897, officers of the Hawaiian Patriotic League and the Hawaiian Political Association traveled to Washington, D.C. and met with\u00a0Senator George Hoar\u00a0<\/a>of Massachusetts. Senator Hoar agreed to submit the signature petition onto the record of the Senate when it convened, and by March of 1898, the\u00a0signature petition successfully killed the treaty<\/a>\u00a0as the Senate was unable to garner enough votes for ratification.<\/p>\n

Here follows a snippet of the article, which is quite lengthy, but you can read it in its entirety by going to this link and downloading the entire article in PDF format.\u00a0\u201cStrangling Hands Upon A Nations Throat<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

*****************************************************<\/p>\n

The strongest memory I have of the islands is connected with the hall of the Salvation Army at Hilo, on the Island of Hawaii. It\u2019s a crude little place, which holds about 300 people, I should think. The rough, uncovered rafters show above, and the bare walls are relieved only by Scriptural admonitions in English and Hawaiian:<\/p>\n

\u201cBoast not thyself of to-morrow.\u201d\u00a0\u201cWithout Christ there is no salvation.\u201d<\/p>\n

As I entered, the bell on the foreign church, up on one of the beautiful Hilo hills, was striking ten. The place was packed with natives, and outside stood a patient crowd unable to enter. It was a women\u2019s meeting, but there were many men present. The women were dressed in Mother Hubbards of calico or cloth and wore sailor hats\u2014white or black. The men were in coats and trousers of American make.<\/p>\n

Presently the crowd parted and two women walked in, both very tall, dressed in handsome free-flowing trained gowns of black crepe-braided in black. They wore black kid gloves and large hats of black straw with black feathers. The taller of the two\u2014a very queen in dignity and repose\u2014wore nodding red roses in her hat, and about her neck and falling to the waist a long, thick necklace of closely strung, deep-red, coral-like flowers, with delicate ferns interspersed.<\/p>\n

This was Mrs. Kuaihelani Campbell, the president of the Women\u2019s Hawaiian Patriotic League. Her companion was the secretary of the branch in Hilo.<\/p>\n

It was almost pitiful to note the reception of these two leaders\u2014the dumb, almost adoring fondness in the women\u2019s eyes; the absorbed, close interest in the men\u2019s dark heavy faces.<\/p>\n

After the enthusiasm had subsided the minister of the Hawaiian church arose. He is tall, blonde, fair faced, three-quarters white, as they say here. Clasping his hands in front and looking down over the bowed dark heads before him he made the short opening prayer. He held himself well, his sentences were short and his manner was simple.<\/p>\n

There is something wonderfully effective in earnest prayer delivered in an ancient language with which one is unfamiliar. One hears not words, but tones. His feelings, not his reason, are appealed to. Freed of the limiting effects of stereotyped phrases the imagination supplies the sense. Like the Hebrew and the Latin the Hawaiian tongue seems to touch the primitive sources of one\u2019s nature, to strip away the complicated armor with which civilization and worldliness have clothed us and to leave the emotions bare for that wonderful instrument, a man\u2019s deep voice, to play upon.<\/p>\n

The minister closed and a deep murmuring \u201cAmen\u201d from the people followed.<\/p>\n

I watched Mrs. Emma Nawahi curiously as she rose to address the people. I have never heard two women talk in public in quite the same way. Would this Hawaiian woman be embarrassed or timid, or self-conscious or assertive?<\/p>\n

Not any of these. Her manner had the simple directness that made Charlotte Perkins Stetson, two years ago, the most interesting speaker of the Woman\u2019s Congress. But Mrs. Stetson\u2019s pose is the most artistic of poses\u2014a pretense of simplicity. This Hawaiian woman\u2019s thoughts were of her subject, not of herself. There was an interesting impersonality about her delivery that kept my eyes fastened upon her while the interpreter at my side whispered his translation in short, detached phrases, hesitating now and then for a word, sometimes completing the thought with a gesture.<\/p>\n

\"Emma_Nawahi\"<\/a>\u201cWe are weak people, we Hawaiians, and have no power unless we stand together,\u201d read Mrs. Nawahi, frequently raising her eyes from her paper and at times altogether forgetting it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe United States is just\u2014a land of liberty. The people there are the friends, the great friends of the weak. Let us tell them\u2014let us show them that as they love their country and would suffer much before giving it up, so do we love our country, our Hawaii, and pray that they do not take it from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur one hope is in standing firm\u2014shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Surely that great country across the ocean must hear our cry. By uniting our voices the sound will be carried on so they must hear us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this petition, which we offer for your signature to-day, you, women of Hawaii, have a chance to speak your mind. The men\u2019s petition will be sent on by the men\u2019s club as soon as the loyal men of Honolulu have signed it. There is nothing underhand, nothing deceitful in our way\u2014our only way\u2014of fighting. Everybody may see and may know of our petition. We have nothing to conceal. We have right on our side. This land is ours\u2014our Hawaii. Say, shall we lose our nationality? Shall we be annexed to the United States? Aole loa. Aole loa.\u201d<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t require the interpreter\u2019s word to make me understand the response. One could read negation, determination in every intent, dark face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever!\u2019 they say,\u201d the man beside me muttered. \u201cNever! they say. \u2018No! No!\u2019 they say-\u201d<\/p>\n

But the presiding officer, a woman, was introducing Mrs. Campbell to the people. Her large mouth parted in a pleased smile as the men and women stamped and shouted. She spoke only a few words, good-naturedly, hopefully. Once its seemed as though she were talking them all in her confidence, so sincere and soft was her voice as she leaned forward.<\/p>\n

\"Kuaihelani_Campbell\"<\/a>\u201cStand firm, my friends. Love of country means more to you and to me than anything else. Be brave; be strong. Have courage and patience. Our time will come. Sign this petition\u2014those of you who love Hawaii. How many\u2014how many will sign?\u201d<\/p>\n

She held up a gloved hand as she spoke, and in a moment the palms of hundreds of hands were turned toward her.<\/p>\n

They were eloquent, those deep lined, broad, dark hands, with their short fingers and worn nails. They told of poverty, of work, of contact with the soil they claim. The woman who presided had said a few words to the people, when all at once I saw a thousand curious eyes turned upon me.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d I asked the interpreter. \u201cWhat did she say?\u201d<\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201c\u2018A reporter is here,\u2019 she says. She says to the people, \u2018Tell how you feel. Then the Americans will know. Then they may listen.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

A remarkable scene followed. One by one men and women rose and in a sentence or two in the rolling, broad voweled Hawaiian made a fervent profession of faith.<\/p>\n

\"Patriotic_Mtg_Hilo\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMy feeling,\u201d declared a tall, broad-shouldered man, whose dark eyes were alight with enthusiasm. \u201cThis is my feeling: I love my country and I want to be independent\u2014now and forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my feeling is the same,\u201d cried a stout, bold-faced woman, rising in the middle of the hall. \u201cI love this land. I don\u2019t want to be annexed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis birthplace of mine I love as the American loves his. Would he wish to be annexed to another, greater land?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am strongly opposed to annexation. How dare the people of the United States rob a people of their independence?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want the American Government to do justice. America helped to dethrone Liliuokalani. She must be restored. Never shall we consent to annexation!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father is American; my mother is pure Hawaiian. It is my mother\u2019s land I love. The American nation has been unjust. How could we ever love America?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet them see their injustice and restore the monarchy!\u201d cried an old, old woman, whose dark face framed in its white hair was working pathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the great nations would be fair they would not take away our country. Never will I consent to annexation!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell America I don\u2019t want annexation. I want my Queen,\u201d said the gentle voice of a woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat speaker is such a good woman,\u201d murmured the interpreter. \u201cA good Christian, honest, kind and charitable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m against annexation\u2014myself and all my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI speak for those behind me,\u201d shouted a voice from far in the rear. \u201cThey cannot come in\u2014they cannot speak. They tell me to say, \u2018No annexation. Never.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

I am Kauhi of Kalaoa. We call it Middle Hilo. Our club has 300 members. They have sent me here. We are all opposed to annexation\u2014all\u2014all!\u201d<\/p>\n

He was a young man. His open coat showed his loose dark shirt; his muscular body swayed with excitement. He wore boots that came above his knees. There was a large white handkerchief knotted about his brown throat, and his fine head, with its intelligent eyes, rose from his shoulders with a grace that would have been deerlike were it not for its splendid strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love my country and oppose annexation,\u201d said a heavy-set, gray-haired man with a good, clear profile. \u201cWe look to America as our friend. Let her not be our enemy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHekipi, a delegate from Molokai to the league, writes: \u2018I honestly assert that the great majority of Hawaiians on Molokai are opposed to annexation. They fear that if they become annexed to the United States they will lose their lands. The foreigners will reap all the benefit and the Hawaiians will be placed in a worse position than they are to-day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a mail carrier. Come with me to my district.\u201d A man who was sitting in the first row rose and stretched out an appealing hand. \u201cCome to my district. I will show you 2000 Hawaiians against annexation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI stand\u2014we all stand to testify to our love of our country. No flag but the Hawaiian flag. Never the American!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was cheering at this, and the heavy, sober, brown faces were all aglow with excited interest.<\/p>\n

I sat and watched and listened.<\/p>\n

At Honolulu I had asked a prominent white man to give me some idea of the native Hawaiian\u2019s character.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey won\u2019t resent anything,\u201d he said, contemptuously. \u201cThey haven\u2019t a grain of ambition. They can\u2019t feel even envy. They care for nothing but easy and extremely simple living. They have no perseverance, no backbone. They\u2019re unfit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet surely here was no evidence of apathy, of stupid forbearance, of characterless cringing.<\/p>\n

These men and women rose quickly one after another, one interrupting the other at times, and then standing expectantly waiting his turn\u2014too simple, too sincere, it seemed to me, to feel self-conscious or to study for a moment about the manner of his speech, so vital was the matter delivered.<\/p>\n

They stood as all other Hawaiians stand\u2014with straight shoulders splendidly thrown back and head proudly poised. Some held their roughened, patient hands clasped, some bent and looked toward me, as though I were a sort of magical human telephone and phonograph combined.<\/p>\n

I might misunderstand a word or two of the interpreted message, but there was no mistaking those earnest, brown faces and beseeched dark eyes, which seemed to try to bridge the distance my ignorance of their language and their slight acquaintance with mine created between us.<\/p>\n

I verily believe that even the most virulent of annexationists would have thought these Hawaiians human; almost worthy of consideration.<\/p>\n

The people rose now and sang the majestic Hawaiian National Hymn. It was sung fervently, a full, deep chorus of hundreds of voices. The music is beautifully characteristic, with its strong, deep bass chords to which the women\u2019s plaintive, uncultivated voices answer. Then there was a benediction, and the people passed out into the muddy street.<\/p>\n

\"Hilo_Petition\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The hearings held by the U.S. Department of Interior throughout the Hawaiian Islands are attracting both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians to give testimony\u2014the sleeping giant has awakened. What is astonishing is the level of legal sophistication and historical accuracies displayed by … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education","category-national"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p31YBQ-wq","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2010"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2017,"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2010\/revisions\/2017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hawaiiankingdom.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}