The history of Hawaii goes back thousands of years to when the island was born as a result of an underwater volcanic eruption. Since then, the island has been nurtured by the ocean waters that have helped in developing a huge ecological system. According to historians, the island was first colonized by Polynesian migrants coming from the Marguesas islands who were a group of god fearing, superstitious people. It is also said that the island is older than America. It was later christened as the 50th State of America on 21st August 1959.

The native people of the Hawaiian Islands were known as Kanaka Maoli when the Europeans invaded them in 1778. By the time the Europeans arrived to the Hawaiian Islands, these natives were already self sufficient and highly organized with a substantial social system and enriched with a sophisticated language and established culture and religion. However, the foreign invasion and the arrival of the late missionaries gave birth to a series of catastrophic events that posed a threat to the essential culture of the native Hawaiians. The people of the land were forced to challenge their beliefs, practices, and customs as a result of their altered spiritual and social relationships. This, in turn, led to a major dislocation of the native people from the islands that have been home to their ancestors since the time of their origin. Within a period of hundred years, the native population reduced to a less than 40,000 people.

The western concept of ownership of land was implemented in 1848 with the business interest in mind and as a result, for the first time, the land was divided into foreign ad private ownership areas. The majority of Kanaka Maoli became landless and homeless in their own country as a result of this act. However, despite all the odds, the native people adapted well and even excelled to grow as a nation. Until 1893, Hawaii was recognized as an independent state by the US and had an independent diplomatic Government after which the internationally recognized state was overthrown illegally with American support stealing the sovereignty of the people.

Damian Sofsian
http://www.z-hawaii.com/