Act of War is an hour long documentary that reviews the illegal annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The film focuses on the events leading up to the annexation in 1893, and the annexation itself, while ultimately calling for the restoration of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This movie was released over 20 years ago, and Hawaii is still part of the United States, but the fight for sovereignty is still very alive and well.
I felt that Act of War gave me a good overview of the annexation, but there were some details I would have liked them to elaborate on. At one point there is a voice over of an American criticizing president Cleveland’s support of The Kingdom of Hawaii. The American is heard saying how it would be foolish to grant sovereignty to Hawaii because it would set the precedent of returning all of the United States lands to it’s native people. This statement was said in passing, but I believe it is worth more elaboration. What precedent is there for countries being restored to power after being over taken by a larger country? If the Kingdom of Hawaii was to be restored on the grounds that the armed overthrow by the American’s was illegal; which it was, what kind of precedent does that set within Hawaii? The Kingdom of Hawaii was a very young nation itself, only established in 1810. To help give some perspective to that number, consider that Captain Cook had landed on Hawaii almost 30 years before Kingdom of Hawaii was established. According to King Kamehameha’s Wikipedia page, he even used guns and ammunition bought from British and American traders to help concur the other islands!
I would bet that before Hawaii was annexed by the United States, there were calls for sovereignty from the decedents of all of the inhabited Hawaiian islands that did not want to be part of the Kingdom of Hawaii. If these descendants came forth and asked for sovereignty from the Kingdom of Hawaii, would their wish be granted?
Act of War starts the conversation of Hawaiian sovereignty, but it left me wanting for more information. After doing some reading I think the documentary could use more elaboration on multiple topics. I would love to see a present day follow up of Act of War that readdresses Hawaiian sovereignty and the progress since this documentary, as well as greater depth of detail.
I felt that Act of War gave me a good overview of the annexation, but there were some details I would have liked them to elaborate on. At one point there is a voice over of an American criticizing president Cleveland’s support of The Kingdom of Hawaii. The American is heard saying how it would be foolish to grant sovereignty to Hawaii because it would set the precedent of returning all of the United States lands to it’s native people. This statement was said in passing, but I believe it is worth more elaboration. What precedent is there for countries being restored to power after being over taken by a larger country? If the Kingdom of Hawaii was to be restored on the grounds that the armed overthrow by the American’s was illegal; which it was, what kind of precedent does that set within Hawaii? The Kingdom of Hawaii was a very young nation itself, only established in 1810. To help give some perspective to that number, consider that Captain Cook had landed on Hawaii almost 30 years before Kingdom of Hawaii was established. According to King Kamehameha’s Wikipedia page, he even used guns and ammunition bought from British and American traders to help concur the other islands!
I would bet that before Hawaii was annexed by the United States, there were calls for sovereignty from the decedents of all of the inhabited Hawaiian islands that did not want to be part of the Kingdom of Hawaii. If these descendants came forth and asked for sovereignty from the Kingdom of Hawaii, would their wish be granted?
Act of War starts the conversation of Hawaiian sovereignty, but it left me wanting for more information. After doing some reading I think the documentary could use more elaboration on multiple topics. I would love to see a present day follow up of Act of War that readdresses Hawaiian sovereignty and the progress since this documentary, as well as greater depth of detail.