The Native People of Hawaii Deserve Better

by Patrick Mogan
(Vancouver, Wa)

I have visited Hawaii a number of times and fell in love with the people, their culture and the land. On one of those visits I learned the full truth about the illegal takeover perpetrated by the US government. I am 58 yrs old and never learned of this in school, nor have the events regarding the involvement of a mainland based church and a greedy group of land grabbers ever been openly discussed in the mainland media. I don't remember much about the Apology assigned by Bill Clinton because the media here probably glossed over the event.

The oppression of native Hawaiians is yet another shameful event in American history. These people had no right to infringe on sovereign people in the name of their religion, then in the name of the almighty god called profit. The Hawaiian culture was almost lost because of their deliberate actions. Thankfully, people such as myself have become enriched and educated by Hawaiian music, art and discourse.

I have said this for years: people on the Mainland can learn much from native Hawaiians. Their spirit and simple way of life can be wrapped in one simple word: aloha. And to the people of Hawaii I extend my aloha to you and say mahalo for enriching my life. I hope that someday we will find a way to undue to some of the harm caused to you and to perhaps even declare Hawaii to be a sovereign nation, if the people of Hawaii so decide that this is best for their people. Can't wait to make another return trip this year.