lowerclassbrat/news

the protesters joining in on the native hawaiian rally swelled to more than 300 people when they reached the convention center today.

they lined the sidewalk shouting and blowing conch shells as passing motorists honked their horns.

some protesters then carried the effigy of a 12-foot-tall uncle sam to the water-giver statue outside the convention center and knocked off its hat that carried colonial feathers representing countries that fell under the imperialism of the u.s. there was no hawaii colonial feather. they then pulled out a u.s. flag from the hat and cut off the 50th star, setting it on fire.

the march was put on by the hawaiian independence action alliance, which represents numerous native hawaiian factions with varying political perspectives. but they do agree that they want self-determination and independence for hawaiians. they also do not recognize the legality of the state of hawaii.

fifty years ago today, president dwight eisenhower set pen to official paper to welcome hawai'i as an official member of the united states.

in hawai'i, the news--long presumed--was relayed to gov. william quinn by hawai'i secretary edward johnson.

within minutes, associate justice masaji marumoto of the hawai'i supreme court administered oaths of office to quinn and lt. gov. james kealoha before a packed house in the executive chambers of 'iolani palace.

thus began a week of grand public displays of pride and patriotism, even as those quietly opposed to statehood mourned the passing of the last vestiges of hawaiian independence.

civil defense sirens wailed. a gun-saluting battery from headquarters, fleet marine force, pacific fired a 50-gun salute at 'iolani palace. thousands attended an elaborate fireworks show at ala moana beach park. cars crowded honolulu streets, their horns blaring.

today's 50th anniversary activities are all but certain to have a significantly different tone.

in keeping with the 50th anniversary of statehood commission's stated intent of "commemorating" rather than "celebrating" the milestone, the state's largest official marking of the day will be a conference aimed at looking ahead to hawai'i's next 50 years.

hawaiian activists will also be busy today. the hawaiian independence action alliance and the institute for the advancement of hawaiian affairs have organized a march and rally for hawaiian independence, scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.