Friday 28 November 2014

Hawaii: The 50th State but 1st in Holiday Destinations

Holidays in Hawaii are the most visited state of the union. Although it is a small state, broken up into individual islands and as far away a state from the continental United States that there is, it’s still the most coveted holiday destination of them!

Perhaps that’s why so many people in the United States choose Hawaii as a vacation spot. It is far enough away and different enough to feel like you’re in an entirely different country but still the good ole’ US of A.

However, the United States population doesn’t make the state of Hawaii the most popular of vacation destinations. Nope. That would be the rest of the world that does that.

Hawaii’s Journey from Island Nation to Territory and Finally, the 50th State

On June 14, 1900 the United States Congress passes an act that is called the Hawaii Organic Act that established the Hawaiian Islands as a US territory and grants all peoples of Hawaii citizenship in the United States

Between 1903 and 1958 several bills are forwarded from the Hawaiian Territory Government to the US Congress requesting that Hawaii be granted statehood. Although these bills went to congress for consideration none of the bills garnered enough attention to get approval.

December 7th 1941 the sneak attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. The World War causes resentment and distrust of Hawaiians with Japanese ancestry and their “American-ness” becomes questioned. Sadly, Hawaii is then placed under martial law until 1944.

February 1, 1943. Volunteers from mainland and island based “relocation camps” are stood up as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The unit is comprised mostly of Nisei (American born children of Japanese Immigrants). This unit fights in Italy and takes many casualties resulting in the becoming one of the most decorated units in the war.

On December 2, 1945 the US interior secretary officially endorses Hawaii’s Statehood.

On March 11, 1959 the 86th US Senate approves Alaskan statehood and in an attempt to maintain political balance (Alaska was predominantly Democrats while Hawaii was mostly Republican the time) approves the bid for Hawaiian Statehood.

On August 21, 1959 President Eisenhower makes it official by signing a proclamation that welcomes Hawaii as the 50th state of the Union. Hawaii has a storied past. From ancient times and people to the more current 20th Century history. A holiday in Hawaii will show you what makes the islands and their peoples so special.