User:Jere Krischel
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jere Krischel?
I am the father of son, Cameron Krischel and daughter, Tomi Krischel, and husband of Amani Krischel. My father is Walter Benavitz; my mother is Kathleen Masunaga. I have 4 brothers (Jon, Benny, Micah and Michael) and 2 sisters (Emily and Evelyn).
What is Jere Krischel's relationship to Hawaii?
I was born at Kapi`olani Hospital, and raised in Hawai`i. I have lived in Pauoa, Kaneohe, Red Hill, Makakilo, Wahiawa and Poamoho Camp. I attended Playmate School in Makiki, and Punahou School from kindergarten to 11th grade before attending the University of Southern California on an early admissions program. I worked as a paper boy in Wahiawa from 1985-1987, picked pineapple for Del Monte on summers and weekends throughout high school, and used to take the bus all the time (83 and 92 express, 52, 50 and 4 mostly).
How did Jere Krischel get interested in this project?
Early in 2004, while reading the Honolulu Advertiser online, I became more and more concerned about the impending Akaka Bill and the hatred preached by some of the more hard core sovereignty activists. In the course of researching the issue, and participating in online forums debating the subject, I always reached a blank wall when trying to find digital versions of the Morgan Report, a critical piece of the history around the overthrow.
Unbeknownst to me, others interested in opposing the sovereignty movements and race-based programs in Hawaii had come across my posts on various blogs and forums, and after some email dialogue about the dearth of online information regarding the Morgan Report, I volunteered to use my technical skills to scan, ocr and post the entire Morgan Report online, if someone would get me a copy. Thurston Twigg-Smith sent me a personal copy of a 100+ year old book via FedEx, and the rest is history.
What are Jere Krischel's motives?
First and foremost, as a human of many ethnicities and nationalities, I have a strong aversion to any racial categorization. The thought of being defined by one's ancestry is anathema to me. Although some may wish to label themselves "indigenous" to one area or another, it is my firm belief that ultimately we are all descendants of immigrants and indigenous to the planet earth, and we should treat one another with equality and respect no matter where the bones of our ancestors are interred.
As an American, from a country with a history born of the rejection of hereditary title and monarchy, I strongly believe in the ideals of human equality. Although the United States has not always been perfect in implementing the 14th amendment, it is an ideal to which I believe we should all aspire. I think the poem by Akemi Matsumoto Ehlrich on the National Japanese American Memorial says it best:
- LEGACY
- Japanese by blood
- Hearts and minds American
- With honor unbowed
- Bore the sting of injustice
- For future generations
As a Hawaiian, from an island chain with a legacy of many cultures melding together, I am proud of the example of our land. When people from the mainland talk about a "melting pot", they usually mean you can get any kind of ethnic food within 15 miles of home - people in Hawai`i mean you can get any kind of ethnic food within 15 feet of one kitchen, or within 15 inches of one plate.
As a scholar, I also have a strong interest in Hawaiian history, which has been further sparked by my recent participation in the debate over the issues of the 1893 overthrow, race-based government programs in Hawai`i, and the impending Akaka Bill. My father, Walter Benavitz, was a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and participated in the 1987 tour of the Hokule`a. My school, Punahou, was a place of history drawing back to 1841 with a strong Hawaiian studies component.
All of these motivations brought me to the decision that I could no longer remain silent, and allow the racial supremists to dominate the dialogue. Witnessing the current tone and tenor of particular extremists on the issue, those activists inspired the "activist" within me.
It is my sincere hope that with enough constructive discussion, we can overcome our frailties, realize the complexity of "historical truth", and move beyond the politics of identity. We can and should live in a world that tackles humanitarian issues in a needs-based, race-blind manner.
What are Jere Krischel's ethnicities?
Direct descent - Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Filipino, German, Irish, French.
Extended family - Portuguese, Kanaka maoli, Jewish, Russian, African, Lebanese, and Native American.
Why does Jere Krischel list his ethnicities if he doesn't like racial labels?
If asked what my race is, I am human, just like everyone else. My ethnic background is simply that - a collection of ethnicities (cultures, not races) which I have connections to.
More to the point though, it is not the idea of self-identification that I have a problem with - anyone can choose to call themselves any particular "race" if they wish. My problem is when that self-identification becomes a reason to treat someone differently, to give them disadvantages or privileges based solely on their "race".
Who does Jere Krischel work for?
I have worked at Kaiser Permanente in Information Technology since 1997. Starting as a programmer, I now manage a programming team that does eXtreme Programming (XP), J2EE and web development throughout the organization.
Did Jere Krischel get any money to work on this project?
No. I have done work on this project in my free time, and I pay for the hosting costs out of my own pocket. I have neither asked for compensation, nor been offered compensation for my efforts opposing race-based programs and the various Hawaiian sovereignty movements.
What has Jere Krischel done on this project?
I installed and configured the mediawiki software as well as various upgrades to it. I also scanned in every page of the Morgan Report, and uploaded both the raw images and the OCR text to the wiki.
As Editor-in-Chief, I have worked in conjunction with other contributors in correcting OCR mistakes and formatting the raw text for the wiki, and helped with some of the detailed analysis of the report.
Is this the same Jere Krischel that contributes to Wikipedia?
Yes.
Is this the same Jere Krischel that played in the Toby Semain Band?
Yes.
Frequently Refuted Arguments
The Republic of Hawaii was never officially recognized.
The Morgan Report contains evidence regarding the recognition of the Provisional Government of Hawaii, by all the foreign consuls present in the islands at the time, within 48 hours of the overthrow.
Some argue that this recognition was preliminary and not binding until further confirmed by the represented governments. Some have further argued that despite the large amount of academic and historical reference to the official international diplomatic recognition of both the Provisional Government and the Republic of Hawaii, that it did not happen. They demand direct proof, and scoff at any indirect academic reference.
Well, Helena G. Allen, in her book "The Betrayal of Liliuokalani" gives us a direct reference. On page 318 she writes:
On August 27 [1894], Willis wrote to Dole: "The right of the people of the Hawaiian Islands to establish their own form of government has been formally acknowledged both by Executive and Legislature departments of the United States. I extend recognition of the Republic of Hawaii.
On page 319, she gives a further indirect reference regarding other "foreign powers" recognizing the Republic of Hawaii:
On July 30 there were still rumors that the council of the Republic considered restoring the queen. Liliuokalani had hopes of restoration until the Republic was recognized by foreign powers. The "foreign powers" did recognize the Republic as "de facto government" on July 23. Paul Neumann insisted that defacto government versus de jure government was not legal. Liliuokalani mistakenly believed that power lay with this legality and not "might" and so continued to believe, encouraged by Widemann, Parker, and Cummins, that she could be restored.
As more direct evidence is uncovered, it will be posted here.
It is illegal for non-oiwi to call themselves Hawaiian.
The passage cited for this is a Hawaii State Law:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol01_Ch0001-0042F/HRS0010/HRS_0010-0002.HTM
It clearly defines both "Hawaiians" and "Native Hawaiians".
However, the scope of these definitions is limited. At the very top of the citation:
- §10-2 Definitions. In this chapter, if not inconsistent with the context:
So clearly the definitions listed are restricted to offical use only within that chapter of law. As an example of another definition listed there:
- "Administrator" means the administrator of the office of Hawaiian affairs.
Certainly this is not an lawful limitation on the use of the word "Administrator".
Contrary to the belief of some extremists, the government has no right to label you as any given race. And we pray in the future, one day, the government won't even care.
Blount never held secret meetings.
pp. 751
Blount himself admits to the secrecy of his meetings:
- I never allowed, so far as I could govern it, any one to know whom I had examined. I never allowed an annexationist to know I had examined a royalist, and never allowed a royalist to know I had examined an annexationist. The secrecy of my examination was the only way in which I could make a full investigation.
Hawaii's annexation was illegal because it was a resolution, not a treaty.
See:
Texas was also annexed by joint resolution, although some will dispute the parallel because Texas immediately became a state, and Hawaii had to wait over 50 years. The DOJ had a memo to the effect of questioning the usage of the Texas precedent in the annexation of Hawaii, but no legal case has ever been brought forth for a decision.
However, the difference between a Senate ratified treaty and the Newlands Resolution is quite minor - and in some ways, the resolution seeems more legitimate. The Newlands Resolution passed the House June 15, 1898 209 to 91 and the Senate July 6, 1898 42 to 21 (26 abstaining) and the measure was signed by President McKinley the next day. ["Empire Can Wait", page 121] Treaties require ratification by 2/3rds of the Senate only. [Article II, Sec 2, U.S. Constitution.] The Newlands Resolution, annexing Hawaii, was approved by 2/3rds or more of those voting in both the Senate and House.
Isn't the Morgan Report racist?
Wasn't the Morgan Report only signed by Morgan?
How can the U.S. exonerate itself?
My Human Sovereignty Rant
Thank you Mana, for reminding me I said this once...
I make the bold claim that any preference for or discrimination against a person based on racial composition or family ancestry is wrong.
Hereditary titles are wrong.
Punishing children for sins of their parents is wrong.
Everyone, regardless of race, creed or color should have equal rights, everywhere.
Where discrimination exists, it should be fought, but not by merely reversing roles. Equality is the goal, not vengeance.
We should join together to fight for Human Sovereignty, the right of all peoples who live and dwell side by side to have an equal say in their governance.
We should have the choice on census forms to claim our race as "human". Although it may be sad to think that only a small percentage of people would check that box today, we can work towards education and enlightenment to raise that number.
Human Sovereignty is inherent, inviolate and eternal. No collection of any people should be able to tell you that you don't belong, or you don't deserve representation.
Human Sovereignty is the goal of all good governments, and the inevitable direction of history.
Human Sovereignty for all humans in Hawaii NOW!!