 At the end of World War II, Hawaiʻi was placed by the UN General Assembly under U.S. administration as a non-self-governing territory. This meant the U.S. was responsible for fulfilling certain obligations, including stewardship of inhabitants and assistance with Hawaiʻi's pursuit of self-governance. In June 1959, Hawaiʻi residents voted over the issue of self-government, vetting two options: statehood or status quo. Residents were not given the option for independence nor commonwealth status, as was required under the UN charter. As a result, Hawaiʻi overwhelmingly supported statehood, with fewer than 8,000 votes cast against the issue (of 140,000 votes total).
"In the most important election ever held in Hawaiʻi, only 35% of those of eligible age actually registered and turned up at the polls. Sixty-five percent 'voted with their feet' against statehood by staying home," Kioni Dudley, Leon Siu, and Poka Laenui write. Most Kānaka Maoli don't celebrate Hawaiʻi Statehood Day (held August 16 this year), and see the holiday as an extension of colonial trauma. Comments are closed.
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