ewkilgore 's review for:

Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell

3.0

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Ever since my first trip to Hawaii, six years ago, I have been interested in how the islands came into our possession. I was fascinated to learn, then, how many native Hawaiians don't call themselves Americans. This was symbolized by the Hawaiian flag being flown upside down (something I saw on the road to Hana on that first trip,) and the more I learned, the more I empathized with the struggles of Hawaiians, not only in their sovereign struggle, but all that goes with it: socially, economically, and spiritually. It is the same struggle nearly every indigenous culture faces, or has faced. And while I love Hawaii (I will be returning this summer to the island of Kaua'i) I often wonder what it would take to restore Hawaii to a sovereign nation. It would not be an easy task, and one that likely becomes harder every year. America will never relinquish Pearl Harbor, of that I am certain, but there are now thousands of haole land owners that also create a huge barrier.

As for this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My chief complaint is that there wasn't more. It is a good introduction to the topic but could have been so much more.