MFSA Plumbline: Apology for Illegal Overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom
Understanding the Issue
The issue is whether the United Methodist Church will seek repentance, reconciliation and reparations for our part in the illegal overthrow and illegal annexation of Hawaiʻi and seek to repair the damage done by colonization and occupation.
Delegates will have the opportunity to vote for an official UMC Apology for the Illegal Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Values
Meaningful Repentance
Moving towards restoration
Reconciliation
Accountability
Active Listening
Acknowledging wrong-doing
Analysis
The Hawaiian Kingdom was an officially recognized independent nation when in 1893 a small group of mostly American sugar plantation owners enlisted the help of 162 US soldiers, without the knowledge of the US president, to overthrow Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Rev. Harcourt W. Peck, who was later pastor of First Methodist Episcopal Church and mission Superintendent, assisted in the armed rebellion with his rifle. He later solidified Methodism in Hawaiʻi through his connections to the illegitimate government and his continued participation in the Honolulu Rifles Sharp Shooters Company.
The overthrow was investigated by the U.S. and found to be illegal. However, before the Kingdom could be restored to the Queen, Hawaiʻi suddenly became a coveted strategic military site when Spanish American War confrontations broke out in the Philippines. U.S. President William McKinley, a staunch Methodist, annexed Hawaiʻi in 1898 without the proper treaties, against international law, and counter to the petitions of Hawaiian citizens themselves. Today Native Hawaiians continue to experience hardship due to the loss of land, language, and identity. This includes disproportionate statistical representation in homelessness, incarceration, and poor health.
The 2012 General Conference Resolution 3324 acknowledged that Christianity’s spread across the world has often “damaged the culture, life ways, and spirituality of indigenous persons.” The National Council of Churches, the United Church of Christ, and the United States Government have already apologized to the Hawaiian people. The United Methodist Church is also called to atone for our participation in the overthrow and occupation of Hawaiʻi and the continued oppression of the Hawaiian people.
Resources
Recommended Action
Vote YES on Petition 20582-IC-R9999, page 899 ADCA “Apology for Illegal Overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom”
This document was prepared in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi District Acts of Repentance Task Force.
MFSA Plumblines: Apology for Illegal Overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom www.mfsaweb.org
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