Part 1 - The Road to Statehood 1893-1950
The Alaska Question
In 1952, a combined Hawaii-Alaska Statehood bill is sent to the Senate floor against the wishes of the Delegates of both Territories, who felt both had more chance of success if Hawaii went first. The bill is sent back to committee on a 45-44 vote, ending action in the 82nd Congress. Although both national party platforms endorse immediate Statehood, only the Democrats endorse immediate statehood for Alaska.
It is clear at this point that neither of the nation's two large political parties is prepared to give the other party an advantage by admitting a state controlled by the other party. At this point Alaska is controlled by the Democratic Party and Hawaii remains in Republican hands.
In the 83rd Congress, the House of Representatives pass the Hawaii Statehood bill, 274 to 138, for the third time; however, the Senate postpones action to 1954.
In 1954 the U.S. Senate voted 46 to 43 to join the Hawaii and Alaska bills into one measure. They then pass the combined bill 57 to 28. Republican Representative Joseph Martin, the U.S. House Speaker at the time, favors statehood for Hawaii alone and refuses to consider the joint bill. A 250 lb. petition containing 120,000 signatures in favor of Hawaii Statehood is ceremoniously sent to the U.S. Congress from Hawaii.
Hawaii Turns to the Democratic Party
In November 1954, for the first time in Hawaii's history, largely due to the support of Hawaii's WWII veterans and the labor unions, especially the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU), the Democratic Party gains control of the territorial legislature. John A. Burns is elected Hawaii's Delegate to Congress as a Democrat.
Alaska and Hawaii Statehood remains a very hot political potato.
A Deal is Struck
During the 1957-58 congressional session, Delegate Burns agrees to a strategy supported by both the Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson (D – Texas) and House Speaker Samuel T. Rayburn (D – Texas) to admit Democratic leaning Alaska in the 85th Congress and hold back on Hawaii statehood.
This strategy is designed to force the issue with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, who is firm for Hawaii Statehood but undecided about Alaska. The Alaska bill passes the House 208 to 166 and the Senate 64 to 20. Eisenhower agrees to sign the bill. Burns has fulfilled his commitment and refuses to press for the Hawaii bill in the dying days of Congress, even though this poses a serious re-election problem for him at home.
Alaska Joins the Union as the 49th State
On January 3, 1959 Alaska became the 49th State. The 86th Senate moves expeditiously to consider Hawaii for Statehood.. With the admission of the 49th state, both political parties are willing to admit a 50th state so as to maintain continual political balance in Washington, D.C.
Votes on Hawaii Statehood
On March 11, 1959 the Senate passes Hawaii's Statehood Bill 75 to 15. On March 12, 1959 the U.S. House of Representatives passes Hawaii's Statehood Bill, 323 to 89. On March 18, 1959 the Act to Provide for the Admission of the State of Hawaii is signed by President Eisenhower.
On June 27, 1959, a plebiscite is held to allow Hawaii residents to ratify the congressional vote for statehood. Out of 155,000 registered voters throughout the territory, 140,744 ballots are cast. The 'yes for statehood" garners 94.3% (132,773 votes) while the "no" ballots equal 5.7% (7,971 votes).
Hawaii Joins the Union as the 50th State
Finally on August 21, 1959 President Eisenhower makes Hawaii Statehood official by signing the proclamation that welcomes Hawaii as the 50th state of the union. He also unveils the new fifty star flag. On July 4, 1960 the new fifty star flag is flown for the first time throughout the country.
Beyond the Road to Statehood
The road to Statehood has been long and hard, but the story does not end there.
There are those, primarily of Native Hawaiian ancestry, who believe that Hawaii should and will eventually once again become an independent nation. Their position is, in one way, supported by the Apology Resolution of 1993.
Realistically, however, it is unlikely that this will ever occur. Hawaii has been a state for 50 years now, and the majority of its citizens continue to support statehood. Moreover, Hawaii, remains strategically important for the United States.
Had the monarchy not been overthrown and had the United States not annexed Hawaii, it seems likely that another of the world's great powers in the early 1900's would have seized the islands. Had that have happened Hawaii might today be flying the flag of Japan or Russia.
The Native Hawaiian people continue to press for their rights and their land. Their efforts are hindered by the lack of consensus on the path to follow. The Akaka Bill (Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009), which once again is being debated in Congress, is designed to assist the Native Hawaiians achieve a degree of self-determination, but even this bill is not universally supported by the Native Hawaiian community.
Thus, while much of Hawaii celebrates 50 years of Statehood, a sizable part of the islands' residents will not be celebrating. One can only hope that when the 75th anniversary of Statehood takes place in 2034, all of Hawaii's people will join in the celebration. Only time, however, will tell.
My thanks to the State of Hawaii 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission for providing the factual content used in this two part feature
