Running Head: THE 1

ANNEXATION OF HAWAI'I

The Annexation of Hawai'i: Passion Vs. Policy

Naomi Ingram

University of Texas at El Paso

Introduction
The Annexation of Hawai'i 2

History can be told from several viewpoints, using various methods of persuasion and

delivery. Hawaiian history is no exception. In 1898, Hawai'i was annexed to the US after its

monarchy was overthrown by "a party of businessmen" (Schamel, W., & Schamel, C. E., 1999).

During this time period, many perspectives were shared about this issue. These perspectives can

be categorized and analyzed within different genres. One example is the song Kaulana n Pua

by Ellen Wright Prendergast. This song protested the annexation and supported the current

monarch of the island. A second example genre is a political cartoon from an online periodical.

This propaganda was pro-annexation. Through the analysis of these two different genres, the

effectiveness of persuasion will be compared and contrasted.

Structure & Delivery

Structure and delivery are significant aspects of the effectiveness of a genre. Ellen Wright

Prendergast's used the fluidity of song to express her advocacy in Kaulana n Pua. Since this

genre could only explain its point through words, Prendergast had to find the balance between

specific and brief. The periodical, The Sunday Call, spreads their aim through the artwork of a

political cartoon. It used symbolism and metaphors to convey its message to the public.

The two genres were diverse and similar with their structure and delivery. While the

structure of Kaulana n Pua had to be poetic and lyrical to get across a message, the illustration

genre had to be more recognizable. More specifically, the second genre assumes that it's audience

knows who Uncle Sam is and what he represents as a symbol. Both genres had the potential to be

widespread with their delivery. Newspapers cycle everywhere, and they last a long time,

especially with the advances in technology to come. This gave the political cartoon the longevity

it needed. Songs can be passed down through generations and recited around the world. They can
The Annexation of Hawai'i 3

be sung at any time or place, to any rhythm or key. As long as someone is sharing the melody,

Kaulana n Pua could be immortal.

Audience and Purpose

Kaulana n Pua was intended for Hawaiians to hear. Prendergast, the songwriter,

encouraged her audience to stand against the United States government. Her purpose for writing

this melody was to unify the Hawaiian people to preserve their monarchy and stay faithful to

their queen. When it comes to the second genre, the political cartoon also targets Hawaiian

citizens. The propaganda's main purpose was promote U.S. military action to annex Hawai'i.

Although both genres pursued the support of the Hawaiian people, they had opposing endgames.

Rhetorical Analysis

Ethos

Ellen Wright Prendergast's occupation and relation strengthened the ethos of her musical

piece. Nordyke and Noyes state that: "she served as lady-inwaiting to Queen Lili'uokalani and

became her close confidante," (1993, pp. 28). It can be inferred that Prendergast's close

connection to the Queen makes her a credible source because she is close to the cause. She had

access to what can be considered as "inside scoop." The artist behind the political cartoon was

unnamed in The Sunday Call newspaper. This lack of information diminished the ethos of this

piece because readers wouldnt be able to tell if the person behind this artwork was trustworthy

or credible. Kaulana n Pua has stronger ethos that the political cartoon in The Sunday Call

because anonymity worked against the second genre. If the artist proved to be a person that was

knowledgeable of the subject or at least of high stature, then the cartoon's ethos would have

probably matched or outperformed Kaulana n Pua's ethos.

The Annexation of Hawai'i 4

Pathos

Within the song Kaulana n Pua, Ellen Wright Prendergast invoked feelings of

patriotism. According to the English translation of the song provided by Nordyke and Noyes,

Prendergast uses words like "we" and "loyal" when vocalizing the side against the annexation

(1993, pp. 28-29). These word choices promoted patriotic vibes because "we" unifies the

audience and the speaker while the word "loyal" is a positive trait that lots of people aspire to

attain. This persuasion is powerful because people want to feel included with their discourse

community and be devoted to their values.

The second genre has the caption, "Uncle Sam catches the ripe fruit," (The Sunday call,

1893, pp. 1). Uncle Sam under the falling apple labeled "Hawaii" and the term "catches"

proposes that America is swooping into to save Hawai'i from ruin. This statement suggests that

Hawai'i should feel relieved with becoming a state because they are being rescued from their

falling monarchy. Expanding on the idea that the apple symbolizes Hawai'i, the term "ripe"

communicates that the annexation is in perfect timing. This metaphor indicates that Hawaiian

should feel at ease with this transition.

Both of these genres are expressing that the Hawaiians should support their side. These

genres differ in pathos because the song implies that Hawaiian should take action against the

government while the political cartoon hints that Hawaii should feel relieved and let America

take care of everything.

Logos
The Annexation of Hawai'i 5

Kaulana n Pua also relates to logic. At one point in the song, Prendergast capitalizes on

the divide between the opposing sides. She describes the government as greedy and depicts the

people of Hawai'i as lovers of the land (Nordyke & Noyes, 1993, pp. 28-29). Listeners of this

song had to use logic to rationalize who they sided with. Kaulana n Pua used flowing Hawaiian

lyrics to make people realize that they were either defending greedy intentions or supporting a

love for the land of Hawai'i.

The symbolism within the political cartoon uses reasoning to persuade its viewers. This

image on the front page of The Sunday Call possibly stirred up a lots options for Hawai'i's future.

Understanding the depiction of the island in the illustration, Hawai'i had two options: fail on

their own or thrive as a U.S. state. These options can be gathered from the symbolism in the

cartoon. The apple, representing Hawai'i, was inevitably going to fall. Using logic and reasoning,

one could say that landing into the starry hat of Uncle Sam, or becoming a state if you relate this

to reality, is much better than failing as an independent territory. Hawaiians had to use their own

logic to weigh the pros and cons of possible outcomes.

The genres drastically vary in logos. The political cartoon made it seem like Hawai'i

really had no other choice than to give into the U.S. government, but the song gave the Hawaiian

people more of a choice in their reasoning.

Conclusion

Each genre lived up to its purpose. When evaluated, it was found that both made

structured, widespread, and persuasive arguments. Comparing the effectiveness of the two, the

first genre by Prendergast was more successful in conveying its message. Not only did it use all

modes of persuasion, it also: spread a positive message of unity, drew from the credibility of the
The Annexation of Hawai'i 6

creator, and promoted the feelings of the oppressed people. The Sunday Call newspaper failed to

mentioned the illustrator's name. Searching for Kaulana n Pua brings up videos of people still

singing this song today. Perhaps music outlasts propaganda. Maybe passion overrules policy.

Genres such as these helped spread the perspectives of this issue. These selected genres

potentially influenced which side people took during this time period. Songwriters and the press

have a major impact on the public and the discourse communities in which they exist. In regards

to this topic, further analysis and comparison of other genres, such as photos or speeches, should

be conducted.

References
The Annexation of Hawai'i 7

Nordyke, E. C., & Noyes, M. H. (1993) Kaulana N Pua: A voice for sovereignty. Hawaiian

journal of history, 27: Retrieved from: https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream

/10524/172/2/JL27033.pdf

Schamel, W., & Schamel, C. E. (November/December 1999). The 1897 petition against the

annexation of Hawaii." Social education 63, 7: 402-408. Retrieved from:

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/hawaii-petition

The Sunday call. (29, Jan 1893). Chronicling America: Historic American newspapers,

73(60). Retrieved from http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn94052989/1893-01-

29/ed-1/seq-1/