The 50th state of the Union is a group of eight major islands and numerous islets in the central Pacific Ocean. The islands were once volcanoes that erupted out of the sea eons ago. One volcano, Moana Loa, has a crater (Kilauea) that is still erupting today, sending molten hot lava down its slopes on a regular basis. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs and colorful fish abound in the seas. The climate is tropical and makes the islands seem like paradise. The Hawaiian islands are popular tourist destinations (especially in the winter) and are particularly attractive to surfers, divers, and golfers.

Mention Hawaii and the first thing that comes to most peoples mind is palm trees and beautiful girls! Hawaii has a very diverse multicultural population. It was not always this way. In the days of King Kamehameha, pictured on the statue in front of the judical building in Oahu (left), life on the islands was much different. The stormy events that are Hawaii’s history have lead to many changes that have not been pleasant for the native Hawaiians.

Since the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands sugar has been by far the principal support of the Islands, and profits and prosperity hinged on favorable treaties with the United States, Hawaiian sugar's chief market, creating powerful economic ties. As the Islands' sugar industry grew, large numbers of contract laborers were imported first from China, then from Japan and other countries, to work on the plantations - the beginning of Hawaii's present multicultural population. Plantation ownership and control of the business community were in the hands of Americans or Europeans.

On August 21, 1959, the United States claimed Hawaii as a state of the union after an illegal "plebiscite" vote was held, which did not offer the option of independence, as required by international law.

As a first step toward redressing the wrongs of a century ago, the Hawaiian people have finally received a federal apology, recognition of the American government's participation in the overthrow of the monarchy.

November 23, 1993, the United States Congress passed and President Clinton signed a joint resolution saying, "The Congress... apologizes to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United States for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on Jan. 17, 1893 with the participation of agents and citizens of the United States, and the deprivation of the rights of Native Hawaiians to self-determination;" [and] "... expresses its commitment to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, in order to provide a proper foundation for reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people."

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