On August 21, 1959, a small group of islands in the middle of the Pacific became the 50th star on the American flag. While the circumstances of how Hawaii became part of America is higly controversial, (The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in an illegal coup d'etat by a group of American buisnessmen backed by the Amrican government.) and which still remains an open wound even today. (Hence the reason why there were no celebrations of anykind, only a conference on statehood, and the only parade was held by protestors decrying the above injustice. Understandable, and perhaps warrented, even if it does suck a little.) Still, we here have much to be proud of:

Iolani Palace had electricity 4 years BEFORE the White House, or any other royal palace in the world.
Alamoana Center (built a few months before Statehood day), was once the largest shopping center in the world. A record long since broken, and unlikely will ever regain it. However, it still boasts the largest Sears store in the country. (Thanks to my brother for that trivia bit.)
The first "live, via-satilite" concert was broadcast from here. It was Elvis.
We invented surfing, NOT California!
We have the largest nature preserve in the world. (the Northwest Hawaiian islands).... And it was created under BUSH!
(Not a proud moment, but very historic) The worst national disaster happened here, and remained so until 9/11.
You want to learn about "cultural diversity"? We're it, not this "Pollitical Correctness" crap!
For the zillionth time, the President WAS BORN HERE!

We've made great contributions in music, art, science, technology, sports, pop-culture, and politics. Fifty years ago, no one would have ever thought that the youngest state in the union would ever produce a president, much less an African-American one, (or even 2 years ago.) Granted, not everything here is Paradise. We have our share of the same problems as everyplace else with crime, corruption, and all the other ills that civilization has brought. But for me, of all the places in the world I could've been born in, God has chosen this place for me, and I wouldn't have it anyother way. We are truly a very blessed people to live here. The wrongs of the past is something that shouldn't be forgotten, but at the same time, it can't be undone and must remain in the past. What matters now is what we do now, and what kind of future do we want our islands home to have. I do hope that it'll be a good one, because I'd really hate to move away.