[lifesaver]

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
Hawai`i is only the United States because OUR land was stolen BY FORCE by the United States Government in 1893 with the overthrow of Queen Lili`uokalani. It's a part of history that often gets overlooked in the history books.

I am not anti-American, but I do consider myself Hawaiian before all things. It is my culture that I am very proud of, more proud of the label known as my citizenship.

When Hawai`i became a state in 1959, the flag was chosen by AMERICANS DESCENDED FROM THE GROUP WHO ENCOURAGED THE OVERTHROW OF THE MONARCHY. That is why you see many upside down Hawaiian flags flying around the state. It's a sign of protest.

For those who don't know, this is the true flag of the Hawaiian nation:



The Hawaiian Independence Flag consists of three horizontal bars, white, gold, and black (top to bottom), with the black and white each occupying one quarter of the flag, and the gold filling the central half. In the center of the gold rests a purple kahili.
The white and black bars represent the balance of all things - Heaven and Earth, night and day, the positive and negative. The gold represents the entire human `ohana (family), with precious life as pure as golden light. The purple represents the original inhabitants of the Hawaiian Archipelago, Na Kanaka Maoli, caretakers of the Spirit of Aloha. The Kahili is an ancient symbol of communication between Heaven and Earth, inspiring leadership of the `ohana. The Kahili is embraced by La`i, leaves of Ti, a sacred plant of Hawai`i with powers of spiritual protection and healing.

And though this is off topic, the " ' " apostrophe is NOT part of the Hawaiian vocabulary. " ` " is appropriate because it represents the `okina, the glottal stop. So Hawai'i should really read Hawai`i.

I think your National Flag Rocks. I do think it would look better tho with Lilo and Stitch on it tho. lol. YOU KNOW I LOVE YA. Seriously, as one of the few kids on here who considers himself a citizen of his state first and an American second, you rock with that. I got your back.