I remember July 4, 1976, marking the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as a full-throated celebration of American patriotism in Hawaii and across the country — the usual Fourth of July on overdrive.
By great contrast, the America250 anniversary in the more complex times of 2026 has been about reflection as much as celebration, as a historically polarized populace navigates vastly different visions of our past and future.
Hawaii put on the usual patriotic parades and fireworks shows around the islands, but perhaps more muted than 1976 — the same as our toned-down Statehood Day observances for the past several decades.
Some events drew protests from Native Hawaiians who believe their own nation was stolen, and others wishing to show displeasure with a president they believe sought to turn Independence Day into a narcissistic Donald Trump Day.
Getting equal billing locally with the patriotic fireworks has been a focus the Honolulu Star-Advertiser described as “blend(ing) patriotic traditions with reflections on sovereignty, cultural identity and community care.”
The official Hawaii America250 Commission and the counties sponsored events highlighting Hawaii’s culture, history and the multiethnic heritage of our people. Appropriately, prominent people of all ethnicities who built Hawaii were celebrated along with those who built America.
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In short, a proud display of the diversity the current national regime abhors.
If you looked closely in 1976, you could see the seeds of a new time. The Native Hawaiian resurgence was in its infancy and the country was four years away from electing Ronald Reagan president, starting a chain of political upheavals that would lead to Trump.
I spent one of my most memorable parts of the 1976 bicentennial at Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Kona with my young daughter, covering the first of a now annual cultural celebration led by Native Hawaiians who then were first advancing the notion of sovereignty.
The burgeoning activism among the Native Hawaiian community and many other quarters of our society, both locally and nationally, was sparked by the civil rights and anti-Vietnam protests of the 1960s, which showed mass citizen action could effect change. It could also invite pushback.
Save Kahoolawe, Earth Day, Tea Party, #metoo and MAGA all spawned from the fundamental changes in American politics that originated with the 1960s protests and Watergate.
Unfortunately, the citizen action that seemed to be leading us to progress throughout society instead landed us in a place of crippling polarization.
Many of our achievements over the past 60 years in civil rights, environmental protection, fair elections, science and medicine have been erased by the current administration and Supreme Court in little more than a year. We don’t know how far the reversal could go.
At home, the Hawaiian rights movement has gained enough strength to become a major driver of local politics and society, but it still lacks the critical mass to achieve either greater sovereignty within the American system or independent nationhood.
The past 50 years have been a roller coaster of great advances and major setbacks. My hope is Hawaii and our country find the way to reach America300 in a place of reconciliation.
Reach David Shapiro at [email protected].