Postby Pastor Gary » May 1st, 2008, 9:03 am
Careful about commenting upon what you do not understand.
This is a serious political and sociological issue in Hawaii, and, yes, there are MANY Native Hawaiians call for a restoration of sovereignty. Many of them are Christians. Some of them COG/COGOP members.
The Hawaiian Kingdom was modern, progressive and well-established when the U.S. Marines landed in Honolulu, imprisoned Queen Liliuokalani in her own Palace, and overthrew the lawful government of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Queen, a devout Christian, the organist at Kawaiahao Church, chose to call fore her people to lay down their arms and surrender to the Marines to spare them death and bloodshed. It was an injustice. Sadly, some of the conspirators who arranged the Marine invasion were the sons of Missionaries who came to Hawaii to do GOOD and did WELL, instead.
As for "pay(ing) the cost of divesting for US government property and US citizens property" -- if you make a spreadsheet of what was stolen from them and what they "owe" the invaders for the privilege of being invaded, the Hawaiians still win.
There are legitimate grievances that will eventually be redressed in some way -- a "State within a State" or some other model. Hawaiians can't seem to agree among themselves on the ideal solution, and, until they are in complete political unity it will remain a festering boil.
As for U.S. Citizenship: many -- MANY -- Native Hawaiians have in fact already renounced their American Citizenship and declared themselves citizens of the "Kingdom of Hawaii." The sovereignty movement is not just a bunch of wild-eyed radicals; many Christian leaders and pastors are among their ranks, and at least ONE of the groups seeks to restore Hawaii as a Parliamentary Republic with a (largely ceremonial) monarch... the descendants of the illegally deposed Queen are alive and respected -- and they promote a Christian Kingdom under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
"God is excited to show you mercy. He rises to give you His compassion." (Isaiah 30:18)
"For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)