Hawaii 50 Poem by Chris Lane

Hawaii. A volcanic island chain in the Pacific Ocean
Originally populated by Polynesians

During the age of discovery
Hawaii was stumbled upon
Then came European colonization
Followed a sugar plantation
Which in turn lead to annexation
Aloha! statehood declaration

Having almost lost their native language
The indigenous population became distressed
As a Reservation has never been granted
For the dispossessed a nation within a nation does not exist

Now in this time we understand
Indigenous rights for native inhabitants
Whereas during the age of discovery
Trade in Gold, Silver and Spice held precedence.

© Calac

The Age of Discovery, also known as the Age of Exploration, was a period in History starting in the 15th Century and continuing into the 19th Century, during which time Europeans and European descendants explored the world by ocean searching for trading partners and particular trade goods.

Hawaii became the 50th state in the union of the United States in 1959
2009 marks the Fifteenth anniversary of Statehood.

Reservation: A tract or parcel of land set aside “Reserved” for the exclusive use of the indigenous population.