http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/32234076/kamehameha-schools-seniors-spark-debate-by-protesting-national-anthem-at-graduation-ceremony

"I feel like any place is the right place to remind people that Hawaii is Hawaii and that we are an occupied country," said Jamaica Osorio, a 2008 Kamehameha Schools graduate.

It upsets my kids because it's embarrassing but I frequently sit during Hawaii Pono'i because I refuse to pledge allegiance/service to a king.

Have you ever read the lyrics. (My dad pointed this out to me)

This is the U.S. Of 'Murica.

Hawaii Aloha should be the State Anthem. (Check out those lyrics. Tears to my eyes)

I never knew the english translation of Hawaii Pono'i... Have to ponder that one.

It is interesting that the school mentioned disciplining the students. that basically means students are forced to sing the national anthem but if it is forced then it means nothing.

What these students did doesn't really upset me. It didn't create a disturbance. On the one hand I can see where they are coming from, the overthrow was illegal. But on the other hand, it has been so long since a Hawaiian government was in place that it seems like it is just something in history you have to accept and move on.

I have never much been one for songs and anthems though.

I never knew the english translation of Hawaii Pono'i... Have to ponder that one.

It is interesting that the school mentioned disciplining the students. that basically means students are forced to sing the national anthem but if it is forced then it means nothing.

What these students did doesn't really upset me. It didn't create a disturbance. On the one hand I can see where they are coming from, the overthrow was illegal. But on the other hand, it has been so long since a Hawaiian government was in place that it seems like it is just something in history you have to accept and move on.

I have never much been one for songs and anthems though.

They aren't forced to sing the national anthem.

They are being punished because they disrupted the ceremony with their behavior, which is inspired by the anti-American, pro-Hawaiian ideology promoted by faculty at the school.

The overthrow was illegal, but it was literally a revolution by a group of Hawaiian citizens, no different than the American revolution, Chinese Revolution, Russian Revolution, etc. This is why the WORLD accepted the Republic of Hawaii within 48 hours of the overthrow, because they didn't care.

No disrespect to anyone, but can't rule out that much of this stuff is part of the same divide and conquer basket that has been passed around in recent years, weakening the whole citizen body.

Our national anthem is bad ass
Read the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner, understand the context and it is the epitome of defending freedom.

My kids, and my players when I was coaching baseball, couldn't remember the lyrics.
When I explained it to them in context and they visualized it, they all remembered the lyrics.
It's a story, not just an anthem.

It is symbolic of all the problems our Country faces.
We battle for our rights and freedom.
Twilight comes and we're not sure if we'll come out the other side as an intact Country.
But at dawn, the sun rises and the Star-Spangled Banner yet waves.

O'er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

It's the same with almost everyone in society.  People want their rights to be recognized as sacred by others, however have no problems trampling on the rights of others.

It's the same with almost everyone in society.  People want their rights to be recognized as sacred by others, however have no problems trampling on the rights of others.

"You can do, say, kill whatever you want as long as I approve of it."

As is the case in every historical situation of socialist-communist revolution, the tables get turned around once all the rights are gone and the legal system is stacked against the ordinary person.

Used to be the case, you'd wait a while until America eventually comes to rescue you...

Long live the Constitution.

And the Star-Spangled Banner.

Long live the Constitution.

And the Star-Spangled Banner.

IMUA!

In my unpopular opinion no student should ever be required to say the United States pledge of allegiance, sing a hawaiian song, or attend church sermons. I had to do all 3 growing up. A lot. The only thing that resulted from this was a resentment towards all 3 entities.

In my unpopular opinion no student should ever be required to say the United States pledge of allegiance, sing a hawaiian song, or attend church sermons. I had to do all 3 growing up. A lot. The only thing that resulted from this was a resentment towards all 3 entities.

Jesus still loves you

I saw this on the news along with the interview with the students who sat.... those younglings have no idea what they are talking about.  I respect their right to not sing the star spangled banner, their right to protest this so called "occupation" of the Hawaiian kingdom.  But these kids better be wearing the malo, pounding poi, and tending to the land like the Hawaiians did before captain cook and the missionaries came.  If any one of these kids has a facebook, a smartphone, uses the internet, lives in a house, has a summer job, and pays taxes on said summer job then they are 100% assonine hypocrites.  They are as much part of the problem that they are fighting against.

I saw this on the news along with the interview with the students who sat.... those younglings have no idea what they are talking about.  I respect their right to not sing the star spangled banner, their right to protest this so called "occupation" of the Hawaiian kingdom.  But these kids better be wearing the malo, pounding poi, and tending to the land like the Hawaiians did before captain cook and the missionaries came.  If any one of these kids has a facebook, a smartphone, uses the internet, lives in a house, has a summer job, and pays taxes on said summer job then they are 100% assonine hypocrites.  They are as much part of the problem that they are fighting against.

Do they drive on city or state highways?  Do they utilize other infrastructure?

When I was doing a project in Lahaina, we held public information hearings in west Maui.  At these meetings, the general sentiment was "no development", "we want things to go back to the way it was in ancient Hawaii", "we don't want or need the government", etc.  Well, the majority of them either worked or had family that worked at the resorts in the area. 

That said, there were the folks that "walked the walk" and lived totally off the land and pretty much fully subsistence lifestyle.  It was interesting that most of them wanted nothing to do with the people that were "fighting" for sovereignty as noted above. 

The bishop estate which subsidizes their educations at Kamehameha schools earns money from leases and rentals and sales of property owned by the estate.  These kids are direct beneficiaries of the capitalist "system" that they are protesting.  I'll be damned  if these kids go on to further education and recieve benefit any further from said "system". 

But then again that's none of business.......

Makes you wonder what the result would have been if the other 432 students sat down for Hawaii Pono'i. ?   
(Troll)

Been debating people all day on actual facts.

Its so hilarious to see their arguments crumble, with their last resort being name calling and threats.

They aren't forced to sing the national anthem.

They are being punished because they disrupted the ceremony with their behavior, which is inspired by the anti-American, pro-Hawaiian ideology promoted by faculty at the school.

The overthrow was illegal, but it was literally a revolution by a group of Hawaiian citizens, no different than the American revolution, Chinese Revolution, Russian Revolution, etc. This is why the WORLD accepted the Republic of Hawaii within 48 hours of the overthrow, because they didn't care.

How was the ceremony disrupted? Did they make noise that delayed the ceremony or caused people to be unable to hear the national anthem? Did they block the free movement of people?

They visually disrupted it by not standing? Whether their position has merit or not, no one can seriously claim they were truly disrupted by such an act if all they did was sat quietly while others stood and sang.

People fought and died for their right to free speech but only as long as they use it for an approved issue?

Do they drive on city or state highways?  Do they utilize other infrastructure?

When I was doing a project in Lahaina, we held public information hearings in west Maui.  At these meetings, the general sentiment was "no development", "we want things to go back to the way it was in ancient Hawaii", "we don't want or need the government", etc.  Well, the majority of them either worked or had family that worked at the resorts in the area. 

That said, there were the folks that "walked the walk" and lived totally off the land and pretty much fully subsistence lifestyle.  It was interesting that most of them wanted nothing to do with the people that were "fighting" for sovereignty as noted above.

I don't think using technology or infrastructure obligates them to a particular position. As ideated as their principles are, realistically they still have to fit into the current system to survive whether they like it or not.

I don't think using technology or infrastructure obligates them to a particular position. As ideated as their principles are, realistically they still have to fit into the current system to survive whether they like it or not.

Uh. Did you read anything I posted?

They don't want development. They want to go back to they way it was in ancient Hawaii, without the government  (federal, state, city, whatevers). Yet, they take advantage of the employment opportunities that private corporations offer. They take advantage of the infrastructure that government builds.  They are hypocrites. To the point where even others that they claim to be on their side want nothing to do with them.