Hawai'i's Great Statehood Petition - Revision history

WikiSysop: /* Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 */

2005-11-14T23:14:20Z

Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002

WikiSysop: /* Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 */

2005-11-08T09:41:07Z

Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002

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WikiSysop: /* Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 */

2005-11-08T09:38:16Z

Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002

WikiSysop: /* Copy of one signature-page */

2005-11-08T09:37:54Z

Copy of one signature-page

WikiSysop: /* The Honolulu Advertiser, Monday, March 8, 2004 */

2005-11-08T09:34:07Z

The Honolulu Advertiser, Monday, March 8, 2004

WikiSysop: /* Honolulu Advertiser coverage of the "Honor Roll" */

2005-11-08T09:31:06Z

Honolulu Advertiser coverage of the "Honor Roll"

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WikiSysop at 09:25, 8 November 2005

2005-11-08T09:25:00Z

New page

Hawai’i’s Great Statehood Petition of 1954 -- 120,000 Signatures Gathered in 2 Weeks On a Petition for Statehood for Hawai'i

=SUMMARY=
On February 24, 1954 a petition containing 120,000 signatures left Hawai'i for Washington D.C. on a UAL Stratocruiser. "We, the undersigned people of Hawaii, hereby petition the Congress of the United States to act favorably on Statehood for Hawaii now."

The first day for signing was February 10 in Honolulu. A huge roll of newsprint was partly unrolled down the middle of Bishop Street the entire long block from Hotel to King. People lined up many rows deep on both sides, all day, waiting to sign what was then called the "Honor Roll." Bricks placed on the paper kept it from blowing and were used as stepping-stones. When fully unrolled the main segment had signatures running more than a mile. Segments of newsprint, and additional legal-size pages with lines for 32 signatures, were circulated throughout the islands. Some additional signatures were obtained as the plane made stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver.

The Advertiser published articles and photos every day. One especially memorable photo of an elderly man signing the petition has the caption: "Jack Paoakalani Heleluke, 74, retired member of the Royal Hawaiian Band who was born under the reign of King Kalakaua. Under his name he wrote '100 per cent Hawaiian.' "

On February 24 the 250 pound petition was wrapped and taken to the steps of 'Iolani Palace for a ceremonial sendoff including the Hawaiian civic clubs presenting chants, songs, hula, kahili and torch bearers. A heavenly blessing was also provided (rain).

In Washington the petition was delivered to the Senate office of Vice President Nixon as an official document held on display for members of Congress. Later it went to the National Archives where it now rests on a cradle in stack area 8e2a of the National Archives Building.

The Great Statehood Petition of 1954 was a proud chapter in Hawai'i's 110 year struggle to achieve Statehood. In 1849 King Kauikeaouli Kamehameha III, responding to pressures from Britain and France, prepared a provisional deed to cede the Kingdom of Hawai'i to the United States, and gave it to the United States Commissioner, but it was never implemented because the pressures abated. In 1854 the same King signed an order directing his Minister of Foreign Relations to take steps to ascertain the views of the United States regarding annexation of the Hawaiian islands and the terms and conditions under which such annexation could be obtained, and a treaty was drafted by the Hawaiian government in August, 1854 providing for the admission of Hawai'i into the United States with the status of full statehood, but during informal negotiations the United States did not agree. Over the next 105 years there were dozens of attempts to achieve Statehood, which finally succeeded in 1959.

The following sections are included on this webpage, in this order, and may be found by scrolling down to them.

(1) Honolulu Advertiser coverage of the "Honor Roll" petition process from February 10 through February 25, 1954. Selected quotes from articles and photo captions are provided on this webpage. Complete microfilm copies of the newspaper including full text and photos are available at the Hawai'i Public Library main branch.

(2) Comments describing the petition from archivist Charles E. Schamel, Center for Legislative Archives, The National Archives, Washington, DC

(3) All 32 names and addresses from the one signature-page that Mr. Schamel was able to photocopy and sent through the mail

(4) Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 was printed in at least one newspaper. Fortunately he also made the extra effort to publish it on the Governor’s website. The website version included his signature, and the State Seal. The message is very strongly worded, and is greatly treasured by all who support unity, equality, and aloha for all. Governor Cayetano’s message is copied exactly as it appeared on the Governor’s website. The message has also been preserved as a freestanding webpage at:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/statehdgovmsg081602.html

(5) On August 15, 2003 Governor Linda Lingle issued a Statehood Day message. This was her first Statehood Day since taking office as Governor. Her message relied heavily upon the words of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose recent speech to a joint session of Congress had cited some of the reasons why Americans should feel entitled to proclaim their pride in being Americans. It is interesting that Governor Lingle's rambling message dwells on a foreigner's speech telling Americans why they should be proud to be Americans, rather than directly telling our own people of Hawai'i in her own words why we should celebrate our status as a state. Governor Lingle mentioned "equality" only once, and did not mention "unity" or "aloha" at all. Perhaps that's because she strongly favors and actively lobbies for the Native Hawaiian Recognition bill, and realizes that legislation establishing a race-based government to protect racially exclusionary benefits is not consistent with equality, unity, or aloha for all. Governor Cayetano's message on August 16, 2002 was much stronger, more personal, and considerably shorter and to the point.

(6) Some milestones along the 110 year path to Statehood, from 1849 to 1959, showing how the 1954 Great Statehood Petition fits into that history.

(7) Challenges to the statehood of Hawai'i by today's Hawaiian sovereignty independence activists, including resolutions in the state Legislature both for and against statehood

(8) Hawaiian Independence, Puerto Rican Independence, Guam Independence -- Conceptual Similarities, Political Cooperation, and Puerto Rican Terrorism Against U.S. Congress
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/puertoricoguam.html

=Honolulu Advertiser coverage of the "Honor Roll"=
(1) Honolulu Advertiser coverage of the "Honor Roll" petition process from February 10 through February 25, 1954. Selected quotes from articles and photo captions are provided on this webpage. Complete microfilm copies of the newspaper including full text and photos are available at the Hawai'i Public Library main branch. Unfortunately those articles and photographs were printed long before there was an internet, and the editor of this website does not have the technical skill, permission, or funds to transfer those documents to this webpage. What follows are some summaries, and excerpts copied from photocopies of microfilm available in the library.

The Honolulu Advertiser petition drive included unrolling a huge roll of newsprint for several blocks down the middle of Bishop Street, where people lined up several rows deep on both sides to sign their names to a petition to Congress to approve a Hawai'i Statehood bill in 1954. Approximately 120,000 signatures were gathered during a two-week period starting February 10, 1954, and continuing through a big sendoff at 'Iolani Palace reported in the February 25 newspaper. It is interesting to note that in the Statehood plebiscite on June 27, 1959, five years later, only140,744 ballots were cast. Thus the 120,000 signatures on the petition five years earlier was probably close to the number of voters at the time.

The February 11, 1954 Advertiser has a full page of photos taken February 10, the first day of collecting signatures. There's a spectacular photo showing a block-long segment of unrolled newsprint down the middle of Bishop St. from King to Hotel, with wall-to-wall people on both sides of it standing maybe 15 deep in places, waiting to sign. That file photo, greatly reduced in size, was reprinted in an article by Bob Krauss in the Honolulu Advertiser of February 25, 2004 (article copied below). Here is that reprinted small-size photo, whose URL was:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2004/Feb/25/lna.jpg

@@ Line 294: / Line 294: @@
 =Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002=
-(4) Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 was printed in at least one newspaper. Fortunately he also made the extra effort to publish it on the Governor’s website. The website version included his signature, and the State Seal. The message is very strongly worded, and is greatly treasured by all who support unity, equality, and aloha for all. Governor Cayetano’s message is copied in full below, exactly as it appeared on the Governor’s website. The message has also been preserved as a freestanding webpage at:
+(4) Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 was printed in at least one newspaper. Fortunately he also made the extra effort to publish it on the Governor’s website. The website version included his signature, and the State Seal. The message is very strongly worded, and is greatly treasured by all who support unity, equality, and aloha for all. Governor Cayetano’s message is copied in full below, exactly as it appeared on the Governor’s website. The message has also been preserved as a freestanding webpage at: [[Cayetano's Statehood Day Message August 16, 2002]]
 [[Image:Webtapabarblue.jpg]]

@@ Line 298: / Line 298: @@
 [[Image:Webtapabarblue.jpg]]
 [[Image:stateseal.jpg]]
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 Aloha,
 [[Image:Govsig.gif]]
 BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:37, 8 November 2005
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	Emma L. Kapohakinohewa 1004 Maunaihi Pl.		Emma L. Kapohakinohewa 1004 Maunaihi Pl.
		+
		+	=Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002=
		+	(4) Governor Cayetano's Statehood Day Message to the People of Hawai'i August 16, 2002 was printed in at least one newspaper. Fortunately he also made the extra effort to publish it on the Governor’s website. The website version included his signature, and the State Seal. The message is very strongly worded, and is greatly treasured by all who support unity, equality, and aloha for all. Governor Cayetano’s message is copied in full below, exactly as it appeared on the Governor’s website. The message has also been preserved as a freestanding webpage at:
		+	http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/statehdgovmsg081602.html
		+
		+	[[Image:Webtapabarblue.jpg]]
		+	[[Image:stateseal.jpg]]
		+
		+	MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO
		+
		+
		+	August 16, 2002
		+
		+
		+	Vicky and I wish Hawaii’s people a very happy Statehood Day. On this 43rd observance of Hawaii’s admission to the union, we invite you to join us in celebrating Hawaii’s unique status as America’s fiftieth state.
		+
		+	Since August 21, 1959, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed the proclamation that made statehood official, we have been proud members of a nation which has defended the principles of justice and equality over several generations. We have remained strong in allegiance to our country and—especially during this time of global tension and external threats—we are grateful to play a role in keeping peace and maintaining the democratic values established by our forefathers.
		+
		+	The people of Hawaii enjoy a diversity unlike any state in the nation. We are committed to ensuring unity and equality for all of our residents. While we celebrate the differences that define and enrich our island culture, we also treasure our identity as Americans and affirm our shared commitment to a happier and more prosperous future for all.
		+
		+	Have a wonderful Statehood Day, and thank you for making Hawaii an example of aloha and goodwill in which all Americans can share.
		+
		+	Aloha,
		+	[[Image:Govsig.gif]]
		+	BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:34, 8 November 2005
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	Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson<br/>		Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson<br/>
	Honolulu		Honolulu
		+
		+	=Comments from archivist Charles E. Schamel=
		+	(2) Comments describing the petition from archivist Charles E. Schamel, Center for Legislative Archives, The National Archives, Washington, DC
		+
		+	By e-mail Ken Conklin established contact with archivist Charles E. Schamel at the National Archives who was able to locate the Roll of Honor petition for Statehood, and who sent through ordinary mail photographs of it in its current resting place, together with a photocopy of one sample signature page. There is no list of names of the signers, and the petition (on 50-year-old newsprint!) is too fragile to be unrolled beyond a brief starting portion.
		+
		+	Mr. Schamel sent a photograph of himself alone, holding up the red, white, and blue end of the petition which he apparently unrolled for one revolution; and another photo of himself and his colleague William Davis, both holding up the end of the petition. Mr. Schamel also sent a photocopy of one legal-size page of 32 signatures. Since each signature includes an address, it is possible that anyone who was young enough then might actually be able to be located today, perhaps even at the same address!
		+
		+	Here are portions of some e-mails from Mr. Schamel:
		+
		+	“The petition you seek is among the records at the National Archives. It is located in the National Archives Building at 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20408. It is part of the holdings of the Center for Legislative Archives which has offices on the second floor, room 205. You may contact the Center by telephone at (202)501-5350.
		+
		+	“It is said to contain 116,000 signatures (Journal of the US House of Representatives, 83rd Congress, 2nd session, Feb. 26, 1954, page 159). Most of the signatures are on lined forms printed in local newspapers. The newspaper forms, which are about the size of legal sized typing paper, are glued onto a backing of thin canvas-like material. The cradle upon which the petition is supported is marked with a sign indicating that the petition weighs 259 pounds.
		+
		+	“The petition is quite large and heavy, and has been stored in a secure room in the National Archives Building for many years. The petition is clearly extremely fragile and any attempt to unroll it would be extremely expensive and would require a very large viewing area. In order to view the document it would first be necessary for the National Archives Document Conservation Staff to carefully examine the entire document and carry out preservation treatment procedures on each individual page in the document (news print is one of the most fragile types of paper and deteriorates extremely rapidly). Indeed, it would probably be necessary to destroy the original format of the document to preserve it.
		+
		+	“Sorry it has taken so long to obtain the photographs of the 1954 Hawaiian Statehood Petition. However, I now have them and will put them in the mail today. As I explained, the rolled petition is very large and very fragile. In its completely rolled state, only a single line of text can be seen by the camera. Therefore I and a colleague held the top of the petition up so that the photographer could photograph it. Enclosed are the following:
		+
		+	“1. A photograph of me holding the very top of the petition so that you can see the entire title of the document. The photograph was taken in stack area 8e2a of the National Archives Building in Washington DC.
		+
		+	“2. A photograph of a colleague, William Davis and myself, holding the petition extended further so that the first row of petition pages shows. The body of the petition consists of a very large number of the petition pages attached to the canvas roll by scotch tape. Between the red, white, blue and black title at the head of the document and the petition pages is a short area where numerous people signed the canvas petition with crayons, pencils and pens as you can see.
		+
		+	“3. One of the scotch taped petition pages had become detached from the canvas backer, allowing me to make an electrostatic copy which I have also enclosed.”
		+
		+	=Copy of one signature-page=
		+	(3) Following is a copy of one signature-page from the petition, typed into the computer from looking at a photocopy of a then-48-year-old document. All the contents of the page are provided, including 32 names and addresses. Everything above the first name was printed by machine, and then the signatures and addresses were handwritten on a page with 32 printed lines and a line down the middle. It is possible that some names and addresses might have small inaccuracies or misspellings due to the difficulty of reading some of the handwriting (everyone wrote in script, not printing). Website editor Ken Conklin has tried to copy what appears to be written, even if that causes spelling errors from how he knows a word should be spelled. The signers probably did not make spelling errors, but the combination of penmanship and fading causes Ken Conklin to copy what he sees rather than what may have been intended or what would be correct. But most of the penmanship was clear. Abbreviations, with or without periods, are copied as seen. Since each signature includes an address, it is possible that anyone who was young enough then might actually be able to be located today, perhaps even at the same address!
		+
		+	THE CITIZENS OF HAWAII, USA
		+
		+	PETITION FOR STATEHOOD NOW
		+
		+	We, the undersigned people of Hawaii, hereby petition the Congress of the United States to act favorably on Statehood for Hawaii now.
		+
		+	NAME ADDRESS
		+
		+	Francis I. Fujita 1059-C Kinau St
		+
		+	Harold H. Higaki 3907 Pili Place
		+
		+	Masami Iwamura 1055 Kupau Street, Lanikai
		+
		+	Margaret H. Yarnadd 2153 Booth Road
		+
		+	Helen H. Matsuda 1923 Date Street
		+
		+	Lily M. Kawaoka 2012 Linohau Way
		+
		+	Victor Nakamura 1347-B Ekaha Ave
		+
		+	Raymond Yamamoto 2909-A Oahu Ave.
		+
		+	Harry H. Kim 728-B Twin View Dr.
		+
		+	E. Tsui Yonokawa 1040-D Kinau St.
		+
		+	Clement S. Hong 2306 Armstrong St.
		+
		+	Hiroto Mukai 1145-B Davenport St
		+
		+	Edwin M. Hironaga 2326 Pio Place
		+
		+	E S Matsui 2460 B S. King St.
		+
		+	Albert Dumic 2952 Robert Place
		+
		+	Sally C. Oyama 1608 Leilehua Lne.
		+
		+	Paul Keaka 2250 Kaululaau St.
		+
		+	Florence H. Tanaka 5286 Halapepe St.
		+
		+	Ruth H. Tokumoto 3055 A Puhala Rise
		+
		+	Thomas T. Yamane 632-A Sheridan Street
		+
		+	Kimi Nakauchi 785 Kinau Street
		+
		+	Akira Yonamine 2021 Houghtailing St
		+
		+	Richard Masonume 2428 St Louis Dr.
		+
		+	Edmund C. Y Young 2607 Stream Dr. [might be Sturm]
		+
		+	Karen Suganto [??] 2457 Hardesty St. [both name and address are faded]
		+
		+	Waldorf R. Wilson 642 Makini St.
		+
		+	Margaret Y. Sacchi 2618 Maunawai Pl.
		+
		+	Lily C.H. Po 54 New Era Lane
		+
		+	Jessamine S. Char 614 Holokahana Lane
		+
		+	Elsie Lau 1317-A Emma St
		+
		+	Emma L. Kapohakinohewa 1004 Maunaihi Pl.