Dismembering Lahui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887

An academic, well-researched, in-depth study of Hawaiian history. Not for the casual summertime reader, perhaps, but as a valuable historical accounting it's well worth one's time and effort.As with all histories, the 'what ifs' come into play. What if the English had not come first, but the Americans? Given America's sordid history against the Native American tribes, would the Hawaiians have experienced the same miseries? Sure, they experienced the mindlessness, the pettiness, the insatiable greed, and the ravages of smallpox, etc., but would they also have experienced the long bloody wars of annihilation and reservation life?If Hawaii history emulates any one of Native American tribes, it would likely be the Cherokee. For they, too, tried their hardest to fit into the White world; giving up many of their cultural beliefs, and then being shunted off to almost oblivion on the Trail of Tears. Perhaps, though, the Hawaiians benefited slightly from the emerging white Eastern American guilt over the Indian Question. Or perhaps it was the fact that Whites has already been there a number of years and were largely integrated into higher echelons of Hawaiian society, including its royalty.The moral is always the same, however: Never completely trust a White man. Especially one carrying a heavy old book on which he strives to live.

While the political implications have real life significance for Hawaiians ( Kanaka Ma'oli), the fact that the U. S. A. Is responsible for the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy is not well-known nor appreciated by most Americans! Osorio is pointed in making this known. The very fact that Americans & other White foreigners worked to overthrow King Kalākaūa & Queen Liliuokalani in collaboration with the U.S. Ambassador Stevens in violation of the U. S. constitution, is very clear! It is bane on the philosophy of American so-called democracy!Osorio shows how the progression of hate, disdain, greed, misinformation, & ill-incited practices of western ethnocentrism slowly & progressively brought the ill-gotten prize of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor, & lands for the "protection" of the USA to the it's possession! Hidden in all, is the intent of the westerners to protect their money & investments in a country not theirs to take.

This is a masterful history, carefully researched and beautifully told of the period from the beginning of the Kingdom to the overthrow. First rate scholarship! Anyone hoping to understand the history of Hawai‘i should read this book.

Fascinating history.

Must read!

Heartbreaking.

I am so interested to learn more about Hawaii's history. This is a very valuable source. Put a lot of dots together.