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Ke Ao Maoli
Fictional History: Forword "I knew Queen Liliuokalani" by Bernice Piilani (Cook) Irwin
FOREWORD
In writing my recollections of Her Majesty, Queen Liliuokalani, I am presenting some informal and intimate sketches which reveal a little-known side of the Queen's some informal and intimate sketches which reveal a little-known side of the Queen's life and character.
Only one or two of the recollections recorded here previous to 1898 were my own personal experiences, since it was not until after annexation that I had the honor of calling the Queen my "friend."
It was my privilege to have known the Queen some thirty years, from the time I was eight years old until her death in 1917. I first met the Queen through my mother, Mary Duncan Cook, who was a close friend of the Queen's from her childhood days. Later, when I was a young woman, I became well acquainted with Her Majesty.
For those unfamiliar with the history of the Hawaiian Islands, a short outline of the main events up to Queen Liliuokalani's accession to the throne of Hawaii will give some understanding of the situation with which she was confronted at that time. It was the long continued threat to the independence of her kingdom which affected her most deeply.
This account is written from the Hawaiian viewpoint of that day. In reading these pages, it must be kept in mind that we Hawaiians had no quarrel with the United States of America. The quarrel was with those of America's citizens who lived among us in Hawaii. They claimed a "dual-citizenship," and, gradually gaining power in the Hawaiian government, finally overthrow the monarchy. This forced the Hawaiians to "drink the bitter water," and submit to a form of government foreign to their way of life and background. They valued their independence and revered their sovereigns.
Although bitter at the dethronement of our Queen and greatly opposed to annexation, Hawaiians today may be counted among the most loyal citizens of the United States of America.
Bernice Piilani Irwin
Note:
When I read this piece awhile ago, (which I forgot about) I was upset. Today, I am still upset with blatant 'words in mouth' so to speak.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kaohi on
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Amelia,
I was appalled when I read this fictional garp--in my old age I can look back and see the faces of all my tutu's and their sadness of trying to keep us kids safe and at the same time food in our bellies.
I did not attend or know of what was said about the "Ku" gods at the Bishop Museum. But from what little reading I have done, it seems to me that it is about Na Kanaka men taking responsibilities.
Kamehameha I, he may have taken responsibility when he lived on Oahu, but he was also a warrior with all the trappings of PTSD. I am so glad he left Oahu and went back home. Because as far as I am concern he is and still is a 'dead beat dad' for he fathered many children here on Oahu--specifically Koolaupoko. He had three wives and in those days men were pretty furtile until the medical quacks got a hold of little na kanaka boys and neutered them.
I stongly believed that Kamehameha liked it in Koolaupoko because women were beautiful and enabled to take care of their community. Women coped with anything that came their way. At least that is how it was with my tutu's.
Bless their hearts for giving me the truth and not the phoney balloney DHHL garbage.
Just the words like "little" "informal" "friend" "drink the bitter water" "revered" "loyal" all are in question today as to what we really think and feel as opposed to what she thought and placed 'fictional' ideals into the publics head. Can you imagine as if we are unable of having thoughts of our own that we needed yellow journalism to speak for our Queen Liliu. I intend to continue feeling and working towards our independence without malice because the Kingdom exist!
May you enjoy this reading and see why the confusion exist among our own women.
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Permalink Reply by Tane on
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What a bunch of biased crap! This issue goes deeper than this charlatan lets on to believe. From sixty years ago up to today, I can honestly say, yes, we don't hate most of the U.S. American people; but the United States of America Which is a WASP racist country, can go to hell!
Ms. Irwin hasn't been listening too well all these years. I do hope she isn't related to me. UUUGGGGHHHHH!
Tane
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Mahalo tane, I had a great dinner tonight.
I specifically enjoyed the Made in Hawaii show. My girlfriend Peggy Chun was instrumental in starting the earlier "made in Hawaii Association in the late 60s and early 70s. She past recently, and it was so nice to see her booth tonight still in the same place. May you enjoy her picture, and my favorite spot.
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