Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, previously Discoverers’ Day, in Hawaii, and as of this year, it is a new official state holiday. By not observing Columbus Day, Hawaii distanced itself from celebrating the colonization of Native Americans.
Columbus Day became a national holiday in 1937.
It was enacted by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and a day off for many workers. Hawaii, however, changed the name to Discovers’ Day in 1971 “to honor all discoverers, including Pacific and Polynesian navigators.” It remained a state holiday until 1988. Interestingly, when Columbus Day was removed as a state holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was added to the roster.
Previously Called Discoverers’ Day in Hawaii.
“The second Monday in October shall be known as Discoverers’ Day, in recognition of the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands, provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday.”
Hawaii State Legislature (1988)
As of 2023, Indigenous Peoples’ Day became a Hawaii state holiday.
You can read the legislative measure below that formally changed the name.
Captain Cook arrived in Hawaii in 1778 and forever changed the islands.
While not a perfect analog to Columbus’ “discovery” of North America, Captain Cook’s arrival in Hawaii in 1778 and its consequences played out similarly.
The native population of Hawaii was decimated by diseases introduced by the new arrivals, which killed off as much as 90% of the inhabitants. Missionaries arrived forty-two years after first contact (1820), intent on converting and “civilizing” the Hawaiian people, and inspired through their actions by the famous saying, “They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well.”
The monument above on the Big Island, at Kealakekua Bay, shows where Cook died. In 1877, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi deeded the land to Britain where the monument stands. It is disliked by many Native Hawaiians, who see it as a tribute to an invader.
Plantations were started by entrepreneurial Westerners eager to exploit the land’s fertility 15 years later (1835).
With help from the US military, some 58 years after, in 1893, they soon wrested control of the islands from the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Given this history, it’s no surprise that the state might want to distance itself from a holiday celebrating Columbus. However, the prior name, “Discoverers’ Day,” was vague enough that anyone hearing it without fully understanding might easily mistake which discoverers it is intended to honor. This, along with the prior prohibition against making it an actual state holiday, suggests that compromises had to be made to get the bill through the state legislature. That all changed this year, with a name change, and an official state holiday.
Many other places have also moved to celebrate a different holiday.
It is called Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Discoverers’ Day and Native American Day too. The bill has come and gone in the Hawaii legislature over the years, to change the name from Discoverers’ Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The bill finally passed this year.
The question of who gets credit for discovering a given place continues to be a subject of controversy throughout the world. It is perhaps worth noting that when the peoples who would become known as Hawaiians first arrived here from Tahiti, the islands had already been inhabited for about 500 years. Some believe that Polynesians had discovered North America and South America well before Christopher Columbus’ visit.
Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day Monday a holiday for you?
Updated October 8, 2023
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A little late to this party, but Columbus Day is really more of an east coast thing. I have relatives there that talk about the day off and travel plans and weather things will be open. Meanwhile, I’ve lived on the west coast for over 50 years and there, it’s crickets, pretty much just another day on the calendar.
As for discovers, Polynesians, Vikings, maybe even Phoenicians, not to mention those who crossed on the land bridge 25000 years ago, were here first but they, as far as we know didn’t tell everyone about their discovery. Columbus gets credit because he had a big mouth and told everybody. He was also European.
it’s hawaii’s continual insistence on adopting policies, like the refusal to accept columbus day as a holiday, that fuels the exodus of its remaining citizenry. ironically, the indigenous population may very well see a rise in percentage after all, relative to non-natives. the anti-business environment and over-regulation policies will spar a further decline as well.
The final wording of the signed bill Senate Bill 732 Act 125 still has the prohibition against it becoming a state holiday: “The second Monday in October of each year shall be known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday.”
So my understanding is that it’s an “observed day” but not a “state holiday”. The police certainly don’t recognize today as a state holiday as they’re towing dozens of cars on the Ala Wai Blvd from people who thought it was a holiday.
From the beginning of time man had always migrated, conquered and settled in foreign lands. If you own land… it was stolen.
Who did the Hawaiians steal the land from 500 years before they showed up?
The Marquesas were the first known inhabitants. Everyone after that “stole the land”.
It’s a state in the United States of America, get over it!
The World is just one big melting pot now. His, hers, Theirs, but not Ours!
I wish there were No Days, other than Memorial Day. It just sets us all up our entire life with judgment from day one.
Supposedly, people from the Marquesas islands came to Hawaii first. Hundreds of years later people from the Tahitian islands arrived and forced the original inhabitants to move from the shorelines to further up the mountains. Same old power grab that has always happened around the earth.
Yes, some apparently don’t know (or choose not to acknowledge) that those who are “indigenous” stole Hawaii also. The current “indigenous” people of the islands came from Tahiti and forced all the inhabitants, who were originally from Marquesas, out.
Coming in with over a 93% Yes vote in 1959 – Hawaiians – that’s every walkin’, talkin’, registered voter livin’ and breathin’ in Paradise – regardless of race, color, or creed – cast their vote to become the 50th state of the USA. Simply put, they cast their vote to become Americans.
“I was there” as my family was residing in the Territory in those days … and it was a joyful moment in history and everyone we knew said: “YES” !! ʻAE !! No divisions, no controversies.
One of the most moving times since was post 9/11 when coming from the airport to my layover hotel in Waikiki. A young local boy was standing on an overpass waving an American flag.
I’m an American. I celebrate Columbus Day.
I fail to comprehend the reason behind the widespread frenzy surrounding history and its interpretation. Why does everyone insist on viewing history through a narrow, modern perspective? It is an impossible task. Throughout my lifetime, I have witnessed acts that were once deemed abominable transform into commonplace occurrences. So, why is there such widespread anger? The truth is, we share more similarities than differences. None of our ancient ancestors can claim innocence. Hawaiian culture, for instance, revolved around the destruction of neighboring communities and the seizure of their lands. The same can be said for Native American tribes, Europeans, and Africans. It all seems utterly nonsensical.
In 1778, the estimated population of the Hawaiian Islands (enitre Hawaiian chain) was 683,200. This estimate was calculated by interpolating between the 1780 and 1770 estimates. The estimate was based on a commonly used technique that takes the 1910 count of Native Hawaiians by age in Hawai’i and takes it back to 1770 in decennial cycles.
Facts matter… just saying. You don’t need to enflate you number.
i hate to break it to you but hawaiians came from somewhere else. they did not evolve from hawaii so they are not native and not indidegenous.
Columbus did not discover “North America”. He discovered the “Americas”. He landed in San Salvador, Bahamas, on October 12 1492. Celebrating Columbus day because he discovered “America” is a lie that has been told to school children since the 50s. Plus how can you discover a land that had been occupied by a people for thousands of years?
Macadamia nuts are yummy. Spam…I can take it or leave it but it’s best pan fried.
Whether or Not a person wants to give credit to Columbus seems to be left up to the College and University Professors that have been putting Radical Idealisms into their curriculum. Most movement on these topics, and many others, have originated there and moved into the “Conversation” quickly gaining momentum with each successive graduation class. Eventually the Consequences will be known for this absurd use of Teaching, the Professors long retired on excellent pensions well removed from the Problems that they have initiated.
I was taught that it was the US Coast Guard that supported the haole plantation owners in their overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. But I don’t want to rely entirely on my memory. So I googled it, found vague references to “the military” then found the following on history.com:
“In 1893, a group of American expatriates and sugar planters supported by a division of U.S. Marines deposed Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii.”
So … you might want to remove reference to the “US Navy” in the story above and replace it with “US Marines”.
Thank you.
Mary,
The US Marines today has 4 Divisions. The reference to a division of US Marines cannot possibly be correct – more like a company of Marines.
Also, as I understand it, the Queen left office without engaging the Marines in combat and no one was injured are killed.
I’m not supporting or opposing the decision to overthrow the monarchy, I’m just challenging the size of the Marine contingent.
If I understand correctly, there was a large contingent of Hawaiians gathered and ready to fight, and the queen would not give her approval? Not wanting bloodshed. (I def could be wrong tho)
Nash,
We all could be wrong. Even eyewitness accounts are unreliable. And, today, even with video, people see different things.
The Queen decided to not resist. And, with a 94% vote, in 1959, Hawaiians voted to become a state of the United States.
For those who might want to leave the Union, perhaps a push for an unambiguous amendment to the Constitution offering a pathway. Without that, not state will ever be allowed to leave.And, for a state like Hawaii – so dependent on the federal govt for finances – it would be a huge mistake.
Much like the South Americans and Others worldwide that have entered Illegally into the United States, they show Others how to do it. Instead of waiting for something that won’t happen there’s always filling out the paperwork and hopefully moving to a more preferred country. I’ve considered it a few times but have remained a US Citizen. So many possibilities, try a few out, and maybe you’ll find a Better Place awaiting you, good luck to all who choose to see.
I agree with you including the Bible, we all have our own perceptions!
The Marines are a branch of the Navy.
We have a Department of the Navy.
The U.S. Marine Corps is a branch of the Department of the Navy.
The U.S. Navy is a branch of the Department of the Navy.
USMC 1963-1966
Co-author “Semper Fi: Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way”
technically the marines are part of the U. S. navy
and i also dont trust the report since it lists no references
Thank you for bringing light to a quiet feeling so many of us have had regarding Hawaiian history. People can be ruthless and greedy,and Im so tired of seeing it play out over and over.
a quiet feeling? really?
Says the peoples of Tahiti later ca lled Hawaiians stole the islands frm its inhabitants..hmm, guess it doesn’t work both ways? I love Columbus day!
I find that Columbus Day is more of an east coast thing than a west coast thing. Having lived in California for over 50 years, outside of government offices, it is pretty much a non-event.
Kind of like pride month is a coastal thing and not a Midwest thing.
Its a non event on the East Coast unless you work in the Federal.
You might want to check your facts. Perhaps research news articles at the time of the switch to MLK. Had everything to do with too many state holidays. The state is limited to XX days. Adding MLK would put the state above XX. So the Governor swapped MLK for Columbus. The state had to give up one of it’s holidays to fit in MLK. That’s it.
It’s a Federal holiday. Only fed government workers and USPS are the most people off. In Delaware schools are open on Columbus Day.
Happy Columbus Day
There is no such thing as a Native Anything. its crock of poo poo. Read the book the Migration of Man. No one is a native orlf any land mass. Its a scam. The indians killed out those who were here before them and then the immigration of Europeans into America did them in. History is comparable to the instructions on a shampoo bottle: Wash, Rinse, Repeat!
So we need to celebrate this? Especially given how very very tiny the planet has become……how even those who don’t to be connected, now are.
It’s called “evolving”.
No one is requiring you to celebrate Columbus Day, just like I’m not required to use someone’s ‘preferred pronouns’. We live in what was once the land of the free, where people were able to live their lives without fear of being attacked for what they believe. Celebrate that.
Although the Americas were settled in prehistoric times by Asiatic people (from northeastern Asia, probably), and Vikings came from Iceland to stay in Greenland and, probably, Newfoundland and Labrador for a time, Columbus is still a major historical figure, since his voyage changed world history, while the other arrivals did not–
both the “Old World” and the “New World” would never be the same. We should not judge historical figures by our present-day social values. Furthermore, I love the United States of America, and I consider its eventual founding to have been a blessing to the world.
They were smaller Polynesians called marquesans and we’re very afraid of the larger Polynesians and so they hid themselves. They are stIl here.
No we absolutely don not like that but by your interfering here we are forced to suffer through it. When James Cook parked his ship in kealakekua there were 400,000 thousand kanaka Maoli living quite comfortably in that small valley then by James Cook estimate himself
Explain to me why 20 years later why there were barely 20,000 thousand later and only twenty years later.
Actually they knew they had the moral responsibility to change themselves and so as today is discoverers day and that is the truth brother and you can’t change the truth
A whole lot of ‘presentism’ going on. (judging the people of the past through moral lens of today). They too felt they had the ‘moral’ responsibility to change others. Tell me what is different today?
You statement that “We should not judge historical figures by our present-day social values” is forgetting that Columbus was considered brutal and barbaric by the standards of his time. He was sent back to Spain in chains for his crimes and only spared because of his relationship to the royals. The Queen herself reprimanded him for enslaving her subjects and freed the few surviving slaves from his ship.
His brutal conquest over the caribbean Islands he “discovered” decimated the native population through murder, mutilation, starvation and disease. Roughly 50 years after the “discovery” only 500 of the original estimated population of 300,000 remained. 50,000 committed mass suicide by starving themselves, leaping from cliffs or poisoning the
This right here is perfect example of made up facts to make a great man responsible for the acts of other bad people. Columbus was looking for a new place for the Jews to hide whom were being kicked out of Spain and Portugal. Read the book Columbus: Secret Jew. And read his writings and his Som’s and then you’ll know the truth.
Thanks. All your articles are interesting. I enjoy Beat of Hawaii 🌺🤙🙌👊
America without Columbus? Early explorers were not saints. I’m happy Columbus “discovered” a small piece of the Americas. I can’t imagine what life would be like without the USA in the world.
The haters can go hate themselves.
Columbus was not the first to discover North America.
Columbus discovered Caribbean islands.
It is ridiculous that FDR was pressured the declare October 12th a national holiday.
Also, that Italian’s look at this as Their holiday. Italy didn’t even support Columbus’s voyage because they thought his calculations were wrong. Columbus was turned down by England, France and Portugal. Columbus sailed for Spain.
Sheila,
You should read this:
medium.com/@nevaer1/the-lynching-that-gave-us-columbus-day-eb5179b01aca
Thank you for the post, good information. The president made a proclamation making October 7th, Indigenous People Day. I’m glad to see recognition given to the people who inhabited land before it was “discovered”. Even as a child I wondered why it was said Columbus, Captain Cook or anyone else was given credit for discovery and then celebrate the take over and decimation of people and their culture.
I am of Polynesian descent and my question is where do Hawaiians originated from? this article states they are from Tahiti and some beliefs they are from Samoa. So is it proven beyond any doubt that this article is one hundred percent factual.
When Tahitians discovered Hawaii were there inhabitants?I heard there were people who the Tahitians called menahunes.If so what do you think happened to them?
Menehunes are what haole’s would consider something like gnomes. Not a clan of people.
Hawaiians keep pushing back against Europeans arrival and the association with the Ubited States. But they sure do like the Federal welfare, budget allocations, legal system, trade and defense protections. Not to mention the social, educational and economic associations with the mainland
Just a little bit hypocritical.
Yes, after moving to the islands four years ago, it’s sad to say, but I’ve never visited or lived anywhere that has shown so much divisiveness in society. Hawaiians are quick to say this is not America, it’s the kingdom of Hawaii, but on the other hand, they like all of the welfare programs and government assistance that comes with being a state.
” Hawaiians are quick to say this is not America, it’s the kingdom of Hawaii, but on the other hand, they like all of the welfare programs and government assistance that comes with being a state.”
Absolutely true. I once got into a discussion with a Kingdom advocate over this very issue. He argued that Hawaii enjoyed a highly productive trading economy two hundred years ago and that they could go back to being that again. I told him that was impossible and that there was no going back. He asked “Why?” I replied that there were two reasons why: first and foremost are the EBT cards that so many locals enjoy and in conjunction with that, the fact that human nature almost always takes the path of least resistance.
Typical of the rich to exploit the commoner. If not for the music and dance that entertained the tourists the hawaiian culture and people would have been wiped out from the face of this world. Celebrate the arts!
Who is rich and who is a commoner in your imagining of Hawaiian life today? Why sell yourself short if you are a ‘commoner’….rise above through education and effort. Too difficult, try the arts.
As a Native Hawaiian, that seems petty to me. And….didn’t we kill Captain Cook anyway (The Discoverer of Hawaii)? As a Hawaiian I have no problem celebrating US Holidays-maybe because I consider myself an American first.
I was always disappointed July 20 wasn’t declared a national holiday, Moon Day, a truly stunning moment in history. And no offense to native inhabitants either!
In another 100 years, NASA, America, Neil, Buzz and Michael will be accused of some injustice related to the Moon landing. Count on it.
Substituting MLK say is pure PC.
For the longest time the state of Arizona didn’t even have a MLK day/holiday, it wasn’t until the NFL threatened to take away the Super Bowl that the state “mended” its ways….total PC at its finest!!
You can’t erase history by changing the name of the day or trying eliminate it completely.