Massachusetts: Hawaii

Impact on Native People

Statue of King Kamehameha on June 11th_King Kamehameha Day

http://www.gohawaii.com/images/ALL%20HAWAII/allhawaii_resized/allhawaii/00628.Kamehameha-Statue.jpg

When most people think about Hawai‘i, they think about beautiful beaches, hula dancers and luaus. As I read this chapter, it’s hard not to notice how much damage has been done to a location that was so beautiful and to a group of people that seemed to share a pretty peaceful life.

The most surprising thing in this chapter to me was that native Hawaiians are not considered “tribal” and therefore don’t have the tribal rights that Native American nations do. It seems to me that it’s the “native” part, not the “tribal” part that should allow for sovereignty and land rights. Even though the native Hawaiians are not tribal, they still share a great deal in common with the history of the Native Americans.

Almost every chapter had a section on the impact European exploration and settlement had on the native people in the United States. In Chapter 5: Megalopolis, Mayda states that, “Conflict and disease diminished their (native) population rapidly, so by 1681…the decline in Native population minimized tribal interference with white settlement”. (pg 158). In Massachusetts, it seems the settlers basically either won land by indirectly causing death (disease) or by direct cause (war). Either way, the settlers changed not only the Native population but also the land to suit their needs.
Below is a video about the Tribal Grants Program from the U.S. Department of Fish and Game. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head received a grant to try to restore the scallop population of Martha's Vineyard. This program is meant to support not only the tribal culture but to also save natural species.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEiLbWXtDho

In Chapter 20:Hawai‘i, Mayda writes about how many native Hawaiians died from venereal disease and other western disease because they lacked the immunity or medications needed to survive. So once again, explorers and settlers indirectly caused the death of native Hawaiians. The white settlers also overthrew the native monarchy in 1893, but unlike the battles with Native Americans, it was a “bloodless coup”. (pg 543) Even without war, the settling populations have had a direct and devastating affect on the land, the people, and sustainability of the islands.

Photogenic

Since this is the last chapter, I thought it would be appropriate to end with a set of comparison photos of Hawai‘i (one of the most beautiful states) and Massachusetts (another of the most beautiful states). I hope you enjoy these. But always watch out for unintentional consequences and unsustainable progress.

The Mountains

The Berkshire Mountains, Massachusetts

http://www.fodors.com/weekend-getaways/images/berkshires-massachusetts.jpg

Koolau (Volcanic) Mountains, Oahu, Hawaii

http://api.ning.com/files/sfMgn7-7W9cdusgo*nW5r8grUctYrvy*A7FhJL0OMFqlANbXeBMbpmjUUxF9pi0EdqzGCkfn1uR5VI4Z8yiE-5N8CFzJ-Hjk/TheKoolauMountains.JPG

The Valleys

Connecticut River Valley, Western Massachusetts
http://www.conservationfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Connecticut_River_Valley_Reggie_Hall-390x260.jpg