Aloha Betrayed summary

Understanding Hawaiian Resistance

In Aloha Betrayed, Noenoe K. Silva provides a comprehensive history of native Hawaiian resistance to American imperialism, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Silva begins by examining the political climate following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, and the subsequent efforts to annex the islands to the United States.

She argues that the native Hawaiians were not passive victims of this political maneuvering, but rather active participants in their own history. They organized and launched a massive protest movement against annexation, collecting over 21,000 signatures on a petition opposing the move. Silva emphasizes that this petition was a significant act of resistance, but it has been largely overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.

Language as a Tool of Resistance

Silva further delves into the role of language as a tool of resistance. She argues that the Hawaiian language itself was a crucial aspect of native Hawaiian resistance, as it was used to articulate and disseminate their opposition to American annexation. Native Hawaiians utilized their own newspapers, written in Hawaiian, to voice their grievances and organize their resistance efforts, effectively circumventing the dominant English-language press.

Through their newspapers, the native Hawaiians were able to maintain their cultural identity and resist the cultural hegemony of American colonialism. Silva highlights that the Hawaiian language was a potent symbol of resistance, and its use in political discourse was a powerful assertion of Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination.

The Role of the Media

Silva also examines the role of the media in shaping public opinion and influencing political outcomes. She argues that the Hawaiian-language newspapers were not only a platform for resistance but also played a significant role in shaping public discourse and influencing political decisions. By analyzing the content and circulation of these newspapers, Silva demonstrates their impact on the annexation debate.

The author contends that the dominance of English-language sources in mainstream historical narratives has resulted in a distorted understanding of native Hawaiian resistance. By overlooking the Hawaiian-language newspapers, historians have failed to recognize the extent and sophistication of native Hawaiian opposition to American annexation.

Reclaiming a Lost History

In conclusion, Aloha Betrayed challenges the traditional narrative of Hawaiian history, which often portrays the annexation as a foregone conclusion, and the native Hawaiians as passive victims. Silva argues that the native Hawaiians actively resisted American imperialism, utilizing their language and media to articulate their opposition.

By reclaiming this lost history of resistance, Silva not only sheds light on a crucial period in Hawaiian history but also emphasizes the importance of language and media in shaping political outcomes. Aloha Betrayed stands as a testament to the resilience and agency of the native Hawaiian people in the face of colonial oppression.