Editor,

I am awestruck and don'’t know what to make of the situation in Tonga. I hope and pray no one is further hurt or injured.

I am Hapaphao’le, my father is Hawaiian and my mother is from New Jersey. I have Tongan relatives through marriage and as a young boy I was amazed at the similarities betwwen your language, traditions, culture and ours. My half brother Lesiate is Tongan. I have found over all, we Polynesisans speak the same basic language, eat the same foods, etc. and have many similar traditions.

Many of us in Hawaii watch the recent events in Tonga, and as outsiders we are confused and saddend that so much destruction has happened to many of Tonga's innocent businesses and people. Skipping past political rhetoric and diatribe for a moment. I may it look like an initial effort to weaken or overthrow the Monarchy, a revolution if you will. And this is what I and my family and friends find so intriguing, as many Hawaiians want the royal monarchy back.

Hawaiians these days …are a mix of many other races (except on the island of Ni'.’ihau), and are struggling to keep the beauty of our past alive. Before the US stole the islands from our Monarchy, Hawaii was prosperous and at peace, due in great part to our Queen and her son embracing Chrisitianity, overthrowing the idols of the former war god Ku, and others. Hawaii abondoned the pre-colonial practices of cannabalism, torture (to increase a chief's mana), and slavery.

Centuries ago there wasn'’t a chance for the the US or any other nation to conquer Hawaii —islands inhabited by vicious, fearless, vastly experienced and well-organized armies. When Captain Cook left Tonga, he called it the Friendly Island, having been fortunate enough to arrive during the Inasi festival. He travelled throughout the Pacific to Tahiti, New Zealeand, Australia and Vanuatu. On his third and last voyage he discovered Hawaii, where he and his landing party was killed and eaten. zIn 1810, King Kamehaha unified the islands of Hawaii by, succesful in part to capturing foreigners and forcing them into his service, and implementing the cannon and rifle.. Though he welcomed foreigners to Hawaii for trade, he made it a point that Hawaiins were never to bow to the white men, as he felt their mana was weaker. The native population however was drastically reduced because of deases and illnesses brought by missionaries, merchant marines, and whalers, and therefore vulnerable to inscrupulous business men of influence, backed by US Marines who stormed Lolani Palace in 1893.


Now at the end of 2006, we Hawaiians, find it interesting that an island with people like us, who we no doubt share genomes with, a people who probably love to spearfish, night fish, hunt boar, surf, and be with family like us...…are destroying a city to compel democracy....  Tonga is going through riots for forced democratic reform, while here many of us (not me), sing songs of protest and march in the streets...…wishing King Kamehameha'’s royal line was still in command and the democratic government of the US was out.

My family and I are loyal and proud Americans, as well as loyal and proud people of Hawaii. We realize the many benefits of US democracy in Hawaii: wealth, industry, commerce, technology and a most wonderful and promising future. The Hawaiian race and culture however, is almost extinct.

Let us not forget, revolutions most oft start with small with ripples, and end up very bloody.

Whatever the outcome of political events in Tonga, may God bless Tonga, protect her, guide her and provide for her. May Tongans have peace and prosperity, and may their children be blessed for eternity.

Joe