Aloha to the US: Is Hawai'i an occupied nation?

BBC News ^ | November 1, 2015 | Taylor Kate Brown

[sparklite2]

Recognition would define native Hawaiians as a separate political entity - protecting many of the federal programmes currently provided to native Hawaiians, like favourable housing loans, a land trust programme, health care, educational and cultural grants.

It would also allow for an element of economic independence, although one industry that has enriched a few Native American tribes - gambling - is banned in Hawai'i.

[sparklite2]

But could gambling remain banned in a separate political entity? I imagine that's the crux of this whole thing.

[SkyDancer]

I thought it stupid that the US made Hawaii a state.

[Fai Mao]

Yeah the BBC doesn’t understand this. If the Hawaiians are considered a tribe then tribal lands are under tribal law. The State’s law doesn’t apply

[gop4lyf]

Are there many native Hawaiians left?

[SamAdams76]

I like the fact Hawaii is a state. I get to go on a tropical vacation without having to go through customs.

[Soul of the South]

“Are there many native Hawaiians left?”

I thought Hawaii was owned and controlled by the Japanese and Chinese.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I agree.

[dfwgator]

The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy was not one of our better moments.

[Steely Tom]

I’m guessing we’re going to find out that cutting Hawaii loose from the United States is something Obama can do by means of an executive order.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

If that’s the case, then Los Angeles, Miami, San Jose, Houston, and about 100 other cities are “occupied cities” since a good portion of their populations are ILLEGAL FERAL ALIENS!

[Gay State Conservative]

I've visited Hawaii once.Spent about a week there.We had fun.But having seen it once I haven't the slightest interest in seeing it ever again.

Apart from its usefulness as a military base Hawaii is worse than useless for this country.If it were to sink into the sea tomorrow I wouldn't shed a tear.

Macadamia nuts are *way* overrated.

[Menehune56]

But could gambling remain banned in a separate political entity? I imagine that's the crux of this whole thing.

I have long suspected that there is big money behind the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement. Turn the Hawaiians into the equivalent of an Indian tribe and bring in casino gambling. Seems to make a lot of sense from a financial standpoint.

[Robert DeLong]

Cut them loose. One less liberal state in the Union.

[rbg81]

I would not put it past Obama to weaken our control over Hawaii. In short order, either the Japanese, Chinese or Russians would fill the vacuum.

[Gay State Conservative]

I like the fact Hawaii is a state. I get to go on a tropical vacation without having to go through customs.

Ever heard of Florida? You can drive there.A decent hotel room can be found for less than $300/night and gas is $2.15/gal rather than $3.50.

[sharkhawk]

Let em go. Two less democratic senators, two less dem reps, and 4 less electoral votes for the Dems.

[wideawake]

Is Scotland an occupied nation, you stupid English git?

[marron]

Hawaii will never be independent. It will be owned by the US, or by someone else. It will never be independent.

[wideawake]

There are more Filipinos than any other ethnic group in Hawaii. Fewer than a thousand people in Hawaii can speak Hawaiian with native fluency. More people speak Samoan in Hawaii than Hawaiian.

[stanne]

Of course it is. Texas is occupied Mexico

We are a horrible occupying oppressive people

I’m told the other day something about the first Hispanic military general. He is a two time Medal of Honor recipient. THAT goes unmentioned. His battle against us horrible Americans was much greater that his battles in Korea and Vietnam nam

I was told at a dinner party that we are an empirical nation. The kids were there so I couldn’t let it go. I said no. We are certainly not

The guy said we took Guam

We are horrible. Invaders.