Jere Krischel at 09:28, 5 January 2006

2006-01-05T09:28:51Z

Jere Krischel at 04:52, 12 December 2005

2005-12-12T04:52:21Z

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868 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
a single thing gained by the Anglo-Saxon population that has not been
shared with the Hawaiians. There has been no race feeling whatever
on the part of the influential foreigner in the political reforms of recent
years. One point showing race animosity on the part of Hawaiians
was when the appointive power of the King for nobles was taken away
from him and the nobles were made elective by the people. This was
not to be by the fullest, broadest suffrage rights, but by limitations,
educational and property, and the Hawaiians claimed that was inimical
to them. Uut as a matter of fact there are a great many Hawaiians
who are noble voters who are within those qualifications. I was present
when some of the articles of that constitution were discussed, and I
personally, with others, made a strenuous movement at the time, and
it was pretty well supported, to make that property qualification less
than was proposed, so as to take in the Hawaiian ministers. The
Hawaiian ministers have, in a measure, been the backers of good government.
The CHAIRMAN. Let me ask you if these kindly measures and good
efforts of the party which you now call the missionary party seem to
have been influenced by the motive of selfish gain or aggrandizement,
acquisition of power, or one of real generosity toward the people of
Hawaii ?
Mr. OLESON. I think it has been one of generosity toward the people
of Hawaii; a movement in their own interest. You may speak of it as
a selfish movement, if you take the demand and determination to have
a good government as selfish interest. It was not any sordid movement;
it had its source in moral considerations.
The CHAIRMAN. That has characterized the whole interests of Hawaii ?
Mr. OLESON. Yes, one little fact will show you the character of the
members of the Provisional Government and of the advisory council
as men who, giving a great deal of valuable time to the necessary legislation
of the present Government, are men receiving no salary whatever.
The nobles received no salary whatever under the constitution
of 1887.
The CHAIRMAN. Was there, at the date of this revolution, to your
knowledge, any organization whatever, secret or open, for the purpose
of dethroning the Queen?
Mr. OLESON. NO.
The CHAIRMAN. Or for the purpose of annexing the islands to the
United States?
Mr. OLESON. NO.
The CHAIRMAN. If such an organization or combination had existed,
would you have kncwn it?
Mr. OLESON. I would have known it.
The CHAIRMAN. Are you satisfied to state that there was no such
organization ?
Mr. OLESON. Tes.
The CHAIRMAN. When did you first hear of the movement to
dethrone the Queen ?
Mr. OLESON. That was whispered after the mass meeting. Men came
from that and said: "Why don't they do something?" Large powers
were given to the committee of safety to go on and organize the government,
and men said, " That means that the Queen is out."
The CHAIRMAN. That was the first time you heard of it?
Mr. OLESON. Yes.
The CHAIRMAN. After the mass meeting?
Mr. OLESON. Yes; I do not know that that committee, previous to
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 869
the meeting, expected to be backed to such an extent as to warrant
them to go on; but, as I say, that is my opinion.
The CHAIRMAN. Amongst the Americans there in Hawaii, since you
have resided on the islands, has there been any evident disposition to
promote annexation to the United States?
Mr. OLESON. There has been no concerted attempt; it has been written
on publicly in the papers. Men have advocated it in the papers,
and Hawaiians have advocated it more than the Americans.
The CHAIRMAN. DO you speak of the Kanakas?
Mr. OLESON. Native Hawaiians. I am not speaking of the white
people.
The CHAIRMAN. YOU said the Americans?
Mr. OLESON. NO, the Kanakas, the native Hawaiians.
The CHAIRMAN. That they have advocated it more strenuously than
the white people?
Mr. OLESON. Yes. I mean in public.
The CHAIRMAN. Then it was a subject of open political discussion?
Mr. OLESON. Yes—only that it was not very common; once in a while
there would be something about it in the papers; some one would say
something of it.
The CHAIRMAN. It is a topic that has been discussed?
Mr. OLESON. Yes; for a good many years.
The CHAIRMAN. Has there been any disposition evinced, to your
knowledge, of annexation to any other country, or toward claiming a
protectorate of any other country than the United States?
Mr. OLESON. No. When that has been broached in my presence I
have uniformly heard disapprobation of it. That is the sentiment of
the native Hawaiians, Kanakas, as well as amongst the Americans,
and also among many of the English.
The CHAIRMAN. Do you know whether they celebrate our National
days there?
Mr. OLESON. Yes; the Fourth of July has been the celebration day
since I have been in the country.
The CHAIRMAN. DO the Kanakas celebrate?
Mr. OLESON. They do not participate in the speeches; but they do
in the sports, the prizes, etc.—boat races.
The CHAIRMAN. They enter with enthusiasm into the celebration as
a national fete.
Mr. OLESON. Yes.
The CHAIRMAN. How about the Thanksgiving that is proclaimed by
the President of the United States?
Mr. OLESON. That day is observed in a quiet way; it is a semiholiday—
the Hawaiians do not size that up, quite.
The CHAIRMAN. I notice that Mr. Willis mentions that it is observed ?
Mr. OLESON. It is observed; but not anything like the Fourth of
July.
The CHAIRMAN. Would you say that there was a feeling amongst
the general population, white and Kanaka, of the Hawaiian Islands of
a decided character in favor of the United States as a friendly government,
or as the one to which they would ultimately look for protection
in any emergency?
Mr. OLESON. 1 think that that is the majority sentiment in that country
among all classes.
The CHAIRMAN. Has it been such since you have resided there?
Mr. OLESON. NO; I think it has been gradually growing, as men of

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Jere Krischel at 09:28, 5 January 2006

Jere Krischel at 04:52, 12 December 2005