On this July 4th, it is worth keeping in mind that Hawaii’s inclusion in the United States was the result of an unlawful overthrow of a legitimate government. The Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by force.

The history of that era is readily available. It was greed and racism, dressed up as sanctimonious good intentions, that led to the overthrow.

The overthrow led to the destruction of a different but successful and sustainable system of governance, and hastened the plunder of Hawaii’s abundant resources.

Obviously, this is not a wrong that can be righted by the return to the earlier government. The harm cannot be entirely undone.

But it is worth keeping in mind on this day when Americans celebrate their independence from England that Hawaiians have been far less fortunate.