Hawaii should be free and independent of domination

Several relevant letters in the Maui News today.

Gaby Gouveia says: "A free and independent Hawaii is the only way." While I agree with the general sentiment, there's some unnecessary hyperbole and technical inaccuracies here - the queen was imprisoned in the palace but not literally in chains; the so-called bayonet constitution was forced upon the king under threat of bodily harm, but it was done by pro-annexation haole Hawaiian nationals, not by the United States government, and not literally with a bayonet to his head; and at the time the marines were landed they didn't actually claim title to Hawaii for the United States.

Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. says, "Never forget that the United States is an occupier in Hawaii," and Jody-Lynn Glickman also come to Uncle Charlie's defense regarding an earlier letter and says "We should all learn to respect the people and the land that are our hosts, for they are the true owners and caretakers of what lies beneath our feet and our home," while Allen Vierra offers yet another response to the earlier letter on Kamehameha's role in history.

The Maui News
Friday, June 18, 2004

Hawaii should be free and independent of domination

Thank heaven that Ronald Regan is buried and the Memorial Day weekend is over. I couldn't take one more speech of freedom, protectors of liberty, human rights, American heroes and arrogant Americans saying how great the United States is! Give me a break!

This great nation is the country that jailed and kept our beloved Queen Lili'uokalani in chains. This great nation held bayonet-fixed rifles to our beloved king's head and told him that they would blow his head off if he didn't sign over his power. This great nation brought in Marines, gunboats, and tons of weapons and said to our beloved queen, "What's yours is now ours or watch your people die."

My dad told me once, you can always pick out the bully, he's the one who picks on the littlest and the most peaceful. The great United States will never find peace because of its greed and deceitful leaders. A free and independent Hawaii is the only way. And remember to say "no" to the new but same old garbage Akaka Bill!

Gaby Gouveia
Makawao

Island is the birthright of the Hawaiian people

I was surprised to read the June 13 letter commenting on the letter I wrote about the sacredness of Haleakala Crater and the desire of the bike tours to come down the Skyline Trail. I was surprised because the writer failed to comprehend the intent of the letter and the reality of what is happening at Haleakala, more so because the English language is his language, not mine.

Look at Hawaii today and tell me that we did not share this land.

I know many haole people who respect our culture and realize it is an integral part of this land, but others have stayed too long and forgotten how to be a good guest.

Never forget that the United States is an occupier in Hawaii and someday non-Hawaiians will have to ask permission to visit our sacred sites. Our customs and sacred places will always be here. This land is our birthright.

Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr.
Pukalani

Hawaiian elders, culture, sacred sites need respect

A June 13 letter showed blatant disrespect to Kupuna Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell and the Hawaiian people. Kupuna Maxwell is a true leader of his people with knowledge and a spirituality that we should all honor.

It fills me with anger as well as pity that the writer had the gall to say that the kanaka maoli culture and their reverence to the legendary and sacred place, Haleakala, does not mean anything anymore.

Age does not change the sacredness or holiness of a place. If preservation of a sacred place is dependent upon closing it off to people who will never see it again but only from afar, then that is what a true love and respect for the aina would allow.

Kupuna Maxwell and the Hawaiians who hold on to their rich history and culture are not "living in the past." They are living in the present, with all the pilikia (problems) that the haole have brought, but looking toward a future where they have rights to their heritage.

My heart bleeds and my blood boils for all the inequities that mankind bestows upon other human beings and for the damage we do to the earth that sustains us.

We should all learn to respect the people and the land that are our hosts, for they are the true owners and caretakers of what lies beneath our feet and our home.

Jody-Lynn Glickman
Kihei

Kamehameha brought security to Hawaiians

Boy, some of you people got a lot of nerve to write and say things about our great King Kamehameha I (Letters, June 8).

King Kamehameha I came to the throne in 1782. With the help of foreign and native aides, he succeeded by 1795 in conquering all the islands except Kauai and Niihau. The king organized the government, checked oppression, encouraged industry and suppressed crime until, as it was said, "the old, men and women, and little children could sleep safely in the highways."

Allen Vierra
Pukalani

Posted: Fri - June 18, 2004 at 10:42 PM

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Hawaii should be free and independent of domination

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