The glorification of war this past week allows one to rethink the American military role in Hawaii. Hawaii has been viewed and used by the U.S. government and military strategists as merely an economic and military stepping stone to Asia and the Pacific.

Hawaii is obviously seen as a first-line of defense for the West coast and as a playground for military war games.

The rhetoric often used to justify the military presence here is "to protect" the people of Hawaii has been largely a myth. When World War II was in full gear with Japanese colonialism rampant In the Pacific, why weren't American forces in Hawaii on alert in December 1941? They were certainly not here "to protect" us. The American military presence was the reason for the Japanese attack.

Although the military does provide jobs for local residents and supposedly a large sum of economic assistance, the military was principally responsible for the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian nation in 1893 and now controls over 10 percent of land statewide.

Today, Pearl Harbor is a dumping ground by the military for toxic and hazardous wastes. Is it any wonder an increasing number of people in Hawaii want independence from the United States?

TONY CASTANHA

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