Legal Status of Hawaii - Complicating Factors

Complicating Factors

The legal issues regarding Hawaii's international standing are complex. While many scholars and legal experts feel that the case for legal independence is clear, the practical ability to actually assert such independence is difficult. Some complicating factors include:

• The continued presence of the U.S. military in Hawaii;
• The assumed reluctance of the U.S. to give up its claim to Hawaii, legal or not;
• The powerful influence of the U.S. within the United Nations and other international bodies, and the ability of the U.S. to place pressure on these bodies;
• Complex issues regarding population diversity, especially considering that the majority of Hawaii's population is non-native recent (post-1893) immigrants, many of whom hold great political power and influence;
• Complex issues regarding land tenure;
• Complex issues regarding immigration and emigration;
• Complex issues regarding economic basis for self-sufficiency;
• Issues regarding national protection from invasion; and
• The effects of long-term colonization.