How Hawaii Became America's 50th State

How did Hawaii go from an independent nation to a United State? Explore the controversial nature of Hawaii's statehood in this documentary, tracing the history of Hawaii's control at the hands of the U.S.

You can find more from us on:

[Taizen]

I'm 33 years old and I only just learned about this part of Hawaii's history last week. Not even the tiniest whiff of it in school or in the media. America's education system has failed us on so many levels

[airam-sj]

"We are not homeless but houseless"
That lady is very wise and inspiring. She really loves her homeland. I hope that by now she is living in a house.

[mangotheskypuppy]

As a youngster we visited Hawaii and I discovered one day walking to a local store, they were not fond of Americans. I wondered why Americans would want to live there. Visiting was fine but why live where you were not wanted? Later in my early 20's a couple moved there and she reported the same thing after 13 years of going to their local little store, the people there did not care for her and did not know her name. They moved soon after that back to the states. I learned how the US captured their beloved queen - not in school but through friends.

[phillipsmith]

My deepest respect is for the indigenous people of Hawaii, love from outback Australia and the wirami people of new south Wales God bless and cheers .

[Dana_inc]

Always remember people act nice to get what they want! Once they get what they want their true selves come out.

[candiceknuth-winterfeldt]

My ex-husband and myself along with our son were stationed on Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base from 2003-2007. The islands and the people are undoubtedly the most beautiful I’ve ever encountered. Genuine, good-hearted, family oriented, proud and special people are the Hawaiians, Polynesians, and Samoans. I agree that it is wrong for us to be occupying a land and a people. Give back what is rightfully theirs and stop using them for financial and military position.

[ReubenFilipeZavala-qx]

Much Respect, I am glad I stumbled across this insert. There is a lot to learn. I am also a decedent of a lost Kingdom.I am currently in South Africa🇿🇦 west of Johannesburg in Roodepoort. Long Live Hawaii Kingdom!!! Yours has risen like a beautiful Phoenix🌈

[franktalley]

I truly wish them luck. I don't see the military ever leaving or the corporate leaders giving up their investments. Still if they can get their sovereignty back that would be good, I just wonder how it will support itself and its people without US aid.

[Victoria_USA_]

My husband and I lived on Pearl Harbor. Hawaii is gorgeous but I couldn't get use to living on a rock no where to go I'm the even of a event as the Maui fire. Prayers for Maui.

[cheri]

I have a great understanding of Hawaiian culture. With the deepest appreciation and respect for all those that participated in this documentary.
Music and art are the glues that hold our world together. Rip 🙏 Israel Kamakakawiwo ole'. One of my favorite singers. History is most important for all of us to understand.
I have tried and have been erased from my views and education on this. May this go through this time.
Ua mau ke ea aina i ka pono.
(The life of the land is preserved in righteousness. )
I love the Hawaiian Islands and have visited there and its people.

[Cyriljayant]

So It is done !! They have destroyed the whole community by a wepanized fire. I am have a very heavy heath about all who died in fife and for all lost of very Hawaii souls!!

[aaronjones]

I think that this presentation, although important, left out some very important details to increase the validity of their claims. By the late 1800's, native Hawaians were no longer in the majority. In fact, there were more Japanese living on the island than any group. Also, the channel seems to ignore the fact that Queen Liliuokalani was trying to remove the established constituion of 1887 during the Bayonet Constitution which had no US participation. Moving back from a constitutional Monarchy to an effective full Monarchy. In fact, at that time, the monarchy, which represented a minority of the population would not allow Japanese and Chinese to vote (even those born in Hawaii). No side is exactly clean.

[davidl.callahan]

I remember quite a few years ago I watched a movie about Hawaii when the Hawaiian princess was forced to turn these great islands over to the United States. Does anyone know this movie, because I have only seen it once, and that was it.
Hawaii became a US state August 21, 1959. Maui attacked August 8, 2023.
Pondering certain questions, and I strongly believe that, yes, a land grab, and something more sinister.
Gold watch over and bless the Hawaiian people, especially in Maul. Bring the TRUTH TO THE LIGHT !

[mamanope]

I remember a show about stolen treasures and them being returned that my mother watched. One episode was about Hawaii. The weird part? I later met and married my husband who was born on Oahu and his mom’s side was native Hawaiian. He and I had many conversations about the abuses of the Kingdom of Hawaii. I explain to our daughter about her heritage on his side at age appropriate levels too.

[stewartlee]

Clinton, what a man.
I feel sorry for the people who can't afford to live where they were born. Where does an Islander go when that happens.

[onhuijm]

The problem is that there just aren’t enough of people qualified to be native Hawaiians left anymore to be able to have an independent nation of their own

[zenpro]

the only problem with becoming a sovereign country is other countries will again steal the islands as it is of geographical interest for many reasons, but the main reason for military and commercial transport use. I am deeply heart broken for the people being robbed of its customs, heritage, and enforced change of language.

[costaricasbestguide]

I really hope that the Hawaiians proceed to secede from the Union and become once again a sovereign nation! Free peoples of the world support you!

[matty]

Also native Americans had the iron Confederate group, which Cree, Blackfoot and a 3rd native tribe made there own coalition, also there are many more groups that but differences aside to fight french, English,
I'm Acadian, my people are all but mostly gone, less then 500 of us world
Wide we had an island off nova Scotia called Accadia but we were defeated and ran down to Louisiana, starting Cajun french, only handful families still live down south most in Southern Ontario now

[stephenbrickwood]

My great great grandfather was the Postmaster General of Hawaii.
His son went on to discover the wealthiest tin mine in Australia.