"Aole Hoohui ia Hawaii": U.S. Collegiate Teams Debate Annexation of Hawai'i and Independence Prevails, 1893 to 1897

Abstract

Research for this article revealed that towards the end of the 19th century, eight of the most prominent universities and colleges across the United States held debates over whether or not the nation should annex the Hawaiian Islands. In all of the contests, those who presented arguments against annexation were victorious. This article examines the debates as displaced voice. A look at the arguments presented in these collegiate forums works to confront the hegemonic, master narrative that sought to create a harmonious and controlled history. This congruent view of an unproblematic union between these two distinct nations was achieved by displacing forms of resistance to annexation on both Kanaka Maoli and American sides of the discussion. While not a Native voice, the academic arguments made in these collegiate debates are part of the totality of resistance 27to annexation that would later be displaced in order to naturalize the idea of Hawai'i as an American place.