President Andrew Wright had only been in office for a year and a half, but in that time he had solved so many problems. People had been calling him 'The Miracle Worker' from the amazing things he had accomplished since he entered office. America, aka Alfred F. Jones was one such person who called the new president 'An American Hero' and how could he not?
After only a year in office, Wright had solved the Mexican Boarder issue. By reforming the legalization laws to allow those who were already in America to gain citizenship and give those who wanted to become citizens the chance to receive it. Employment was now up to 85% and climbing with all the new jobs that had been formed across the U.S.A. along with all the training programs that helped prepare people for their jobs. It seemed the man could do just about anything and his plans, while some still disagreed with them, worked and had helped give America the jump-start it needed. Sadly, Wright was only human and could only do so much for his country. The country's debt to China was one such problem he had been unable to solve and the situation was growing more hostile with each passing day.
"America, we have a situation and I need to discuss it with you", President Wright said as Alfred entered the room with a burger in one hand and a chocolate milkshake in the other.
"Sure thing, Mr. President Dude", Alfred said taking a seat while taking a huge bite out of his Big Mac.
President Wright chuckled lightly at his country's antics. He had long since gotten used to Alfred's loud, obnoxious personality and his many oddities. It was like watching a kid who had eaten too much cake at a birthday party. Hyper, loud, and leaves you confused along with a headache. Yep, Alfred was still a child in terms of a Nation, but he was not a complete child. No this nation was made up of fifty states and each of those states was represented by an individual. Just like Alfred was America personified, so too were his states. Of which the current conversation would be dealing with, but not in a pleasant way.
"America, I'm afraid things have taken a turn for the worst with China", he said solemnly standing up from his desk and walking over to the window that over looked the gardens of the White House, "The situation is turning hostile and China's boss is demanding the situation to be solved. America is still recovering from the recession and my hands are tied at the moment, so paying off the debt right now is quite literally impossible. If we do not some how ease the matter, we may be facing war."
America swallowed the last of his Big Mac and sipped his shake thoughtfully before saying, "So what are we going to do?"
President Wright sighed as he sat back down at his desk, allowing his head to fall into his hands. The situation was dire and China needed to be pacified in some way, but what he was about to ask of America was going to be nothing short of a last desperate attempt to settle things peacefully. It would be no small sacrifice to the Nation that sat before him. If anything else, it would be the biggest sacrifice the Nation would ever be asked to make. It was President Wright's misfortune to be the one to ask it of him and the man felt great regret for what he would now have to do for the sake of the nation.
"The Chinese Federation and U.S. Congress have come to an agreement", he began regaining Alfred's attention, "I am to sign the papers tomorrow, but I felt you should know before then what is going to happen."
America slurped the last of his shake down before throwing it to the waste-bin with a shout of 'TWO POINTS'. President Wright usually would laugh at this, but when he did not, Alfred became very worried. He knew his boss was serious, but he had never seen him so crest fallen before. Surely whatever he was about to ask of him could not be all that bad. He was the hero after all. Nothing was too hard for the hero to handle, right?
"America, China has agreed to give us time to pay off our debt to them, but as collateral they wish to have one of the states placed in their custody. The State they requested be placed under their custody is Hawaii, as it already has a large Asian population and is closer to China. It would be easy for her to live with China and still over see her state. Once the papers are signed tomorrow at the conference, Hawaii will be in China's custody until such a time that we are able to pay back our debt to them."
America's heart stopped as he stared at the President in utter shock. His baby girl was to be given to that Old Communist Nation as if she were a trading card or Barbie doll! Yes, she was a state, but she was also his daughter. This knowledge quickly took hold of his mind and put him into father mode and leaped to his feet in a rage.
"NO! There is no way I'm giving my little girl to that old ass jerk! Bring on the guns and war! He is not getting her!", Alfred shouted before panting in frustration.
"I'm sorry America, but it is out of our hands at this point. We cannot afford another war so soon. Our people are just beginning to recover and need more time to grow more secure with the new laws and developments that have been issued. To start a war with China would be our down fall at this point. Now China has agreed that he will only keep Hawaii until our debt is paid, so for now it is only a temporary thing. The sooner the debt is paid, the sooner Hawaii will be back in American custody. Until then, you will need to control yourself and be sure to explain the situation to Hawaii before tomorrow", he said seeing America's face burn red with anger, but before the Nation could say anything more, President Wright stated, "This is an order as your Commander and Chief, America. You are not to take any action against China. This deal will be completed tomorrow afternoon and Hawaii will be placed under China's control until such time we can pay off our debt. This was decided by popular vote of the United States Congress and the vote is that Hawaii will be given to China without any resistance. Do I make myself clear?"
That silenced Alfred instantly. He was a nation built on Democracy. His people had voted and the vote was crystal clear. Hawaii had been forfeited to China and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was a nation and, while he would have gladly walked barefoot through hell for his little island girl, he was a nation whose life was controlled by his people. He could only do so much, but in the end it was the people who made the decisions in his life.
Unable to voice his disgust any further, Alfred fell to his knees while glaring at the floor. His baby was going to be basically sold off to China as a sacrificial lamb and he was meant to sit back and let it happen. He may have been a nation, but he was also a father and this kind of sacrifice is one no father should ever have to make. True, he had forty-nine other children to think about, but that didn't mean any one of his children meant more to him than the others. Hawaii was his youngest daughter and to have her bartered off like a crate of mangoes made him sick to his stomach.
"Yes sir", America whispered, not having the strength to say anything more.
President Wright's heart went out to the nation, but his hands were tied tightly and this was the only way China would cease any hostile movements on America until the debt was paid. It was a sacrifice that had to be made, even if it was not one they were willing to make. To avoid a war and gain more time to stabilize the nations growing economy, it was something that needed to be done.
"I'm sorry America, but it will not be forever. We will get her back, I give you my word", President Wright said knowing how much a man's word meant to Alfred; a man was only as good as his word.
"We should not have to give her up in the first place", Alfred said his voice heavy with sorrow before raising his eyes to reveal a fierce determination only an American could have, "But you're right about one thing, I WILL get her back no matter what it takes."
President Wright nodded in understanding as he watched the nation rise to his feet and, with his back straight and head held high, he walked out the door to deliver the bad news to his little girl. President Wright watched the doors close behind Alfred before laying his head down on his desk. Regret hung heavy in his heart as he thought over the deal he would be making the very next day. A deal that would not only cost the nation land, but a dear friend his child.
"Forgive me Alfred", he whimpered as tears streamed down his face, "Please forgive me."
Hawaii. The Aloha State where the sun was shining and the waves were righteous! It was one of the number on vacation spots in the world and a true island paradise for anyone who just wanted to escape the outside world. The people were kind and laid back, just like the rest of the island. It held such an air of peace and serenity that many who visited the island never wanted to leave. Be it for nature, the waves, or just the sense of belonging; Hawaii was a state that no one could easily forget.
Kanoa Jones was the personification of Hawaii. Like the natives to her island, Kanoa had naturally dark skin that looked as if the sun had blessed her with an unearthly glow. Her jet black hair often hung down her back in a long pony tail to keep it out of her face whenever she was working or surfing, otherwise it hung which ever way the wind decided to blow it. Her eyes were as dark as black coffee, but turned a lovely shade of amber when the light hit them. She was a lovely girl and a beautiful state.
"Alright, closed up shop", she thought aloud as she locked up her seaside restaurant.
The Pinao Cafe was Kanoa's little seaside restaurant that served traditional Hawaiian food as well as several different dishes she had learned from the tourists that visited her island. It was her way of interacting with the locals and tourists. Of course she didn't get to run it all the time. Many times she had to pretend to sell the restaurant, go into hiding for a few years, then open it again under a new name. This was the natural process, otherwise the humans would figure out what she was. It was a long kept secret and one that she had no problem keeping.
Walking down by the beach, Kanoa looked up and saw it was a full moon. If the waves were good it would be a good night to surf. Turning her gaze to the ocean she sighed at the sight before her, "It's totally flat, so no point in going for a night surf."
Kanoa loved surfing. It was one of her people's most famous sports and one that she loved more than she loved mangoes...which was a LOT. The tourist season was ending which meant the beach was growing less and less crowded each day; something she was grateful for. While she like that so many people from around the world loved her island, she could not say she was sorry to see them leave. Too many tourist meant too much noise, crowds, and the constant dumb-ass who at too much poi making themselves sick.
Sometimes she missed the days when she was a small island kingdom. Back when it was only her and her native children. Times had changed though and she couldn't say she did not like all the changes. She gained 49 brothers and sisters as well as a father whom loved her just as she had grown to love him. He had called earlier that day saying he needed to drop by to discuss something with her, which wasn't that unusual.
America made a habit of checking in on his states and discussing new ideas with them. Just like he had discussed the Hawaiian Pizza with her a few years back, it was something she was iffy about, but it had turned out to be a huge success. He most likely had another insane idea that would either be an amazing success or an epic fail. She giggled lightly at the thought of her dad's insanity as she drew closer to her little house. There was a red jeep sitting out front which meant her dad was already inside.
"Makuakane!", she laughed happily as she rushed into the house to find him sitting on the living room couch.
"Kaikamahine!", he laughed as he stood up only to be tackled back down onto the couch by the his baby girl.(even though she looks 16, but was really over 100)
Kanoa smiled happily as she snuggled up against his chest asked, "So what's up Makuakane?"
America's face went from joyful to depressed in a split second. Looking at his little island girls face made his heart break all the more. He knew he couldn't do anything to stop this, but that didn't make it any easier. Especially when you have one of your most precious treasures curled up against you for what might be the last time. Her coffee brown eyes stared up at him with concern as she reached up and wiped away something wet.
"You're crying, why? What's wrong?", she asked only to be pulled tightly against America's chest as more tears fell from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", he cried as his body trembled with each sobbed apology.
Kanoa didn't know what to think of her father's sudden break down or the apologies he was sobbing out. Why was he so upset? Why was he sorry? What had he done? Everything was fine on the island, so it couldn't have been anything he had done to her, right? She pushed away from his chest to see his sky blue eyes swollen red from crying; he had been crying much longer than just then, but why?
"Makuakane, what is wrong? Maybe I can help", she said smiling at him in hopes of cheering him up, but it had the opposite effect.
He only pulled her back into his arms and cried all the more. He was trying to tell her what was wrong, but between all his sobbing and 'I'm Sorry's she could not understand a thing he was saying. All she could make out was 'congress', 'vote', 'China' and 'debt'. So she could pretty much guess that what ever it was had to do with the USA's debt to China and that Congress had an idea they were going to vote on or had already voted on. Of course, Hawaii kept tabs with her representative, but she had not heard from him recently, so she was not sure what was going on in Congress. Surely it was nothing that could have her dad this broken, right?
"I'm going to go get us some coffee and coconut cake. While I do that, try to calm down", she said finally freeing herself from her father's fierce bear hug.
Kanoa sighed as she watched him sink into a fetal position on the couch, still sobbing as she left the room. She wasn't sure what congress was up to, but it couldn't have been good. The smell of fresh coffee filled the kitchen as she pulled out some plates and the coconut pound cake she had baked just yesterday. It was one of her specialties, that along with Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes and Homemade Mango juice. She loved cooking and loved cooking with the fruits that naturally grew on her island. She took pride in those recipes that used her island's natural resources.
"Let's see, dad takes his coffee with three sugars and two milk", she thought aloud as she dropped three sugar cubes into his mug.
"Kanoa?", came America's voice, raw from crying.
As he entered the kitchen, he saw Kanoa setting the table with coffee and cake with a smile on her face. How long could that smile last though? She did not know what was happening and he didn't know if he could tell her without breaking down again.
"Alright, now you sit yourself down", she said shoving him towards a chair, "Eat your cake and calmly tell me what has you so upset."
Seeing the look on her face, America could not help laughing, "Since when did you become my mother?"
"Since you started acting like a kid, Paniolo", she laughed as she took at seat next to him, taking a sip of her own coffee.
America smiled softly as he watched her drink her coffee and eat her cake. It hadn't been so long ago when he found her. She had been just a little girl in a grass skirt with flowers all in her hair. She had looked to be around six years old, but with their kind you could never truly tell age based on appearance. China was over four thousand years old and looked to be about twenty or twenty-two at the most. China, the moment that name entered his mind his heart sank into his stomach making him feel ill all over again.
"Makuakane", Hawaii said getting his attention once more, "Please tell me what's wrong."
America looked at her dark brown eyes, imploring him to confide within her, and released a sigh of defeat. She was not a little girl anymore. She was a strong young woman now and he owed it to her as her father to tell her what was happening. He owed it to her to be the one to tell her what congress had voted and the deal that would be taking place the very next day.
"Hawaii...Kanoa, Congress has reached a decision on what they are going to do about our debt to China", he said in the most serious tone that Kanoa had ever heard him use.
America was known for his happy-go-lucky attitude and idiotic smile that seemed to never leave his face. That of course was only when he wasn't taking anything seriously or thought the matter wasn't serious enough to be taken seriously. He took very few things seriously, so whatever congress had decided must have been a big deal for him to be acting this way.
"The deal...I hate it and I wish there was something I could do to stop it from happening, but the vote has come in and the President will be signing the papers tomorrow. Starting tomorrow afternoon...you'll be placed under China's control and will stay with him until America has paid back its debt", he said his voice filled with both anger and sorrow as he told her the news.
Kanoa sat there a moment wide-eyed and mouth hanging open. She was being given to China? She was no longer going to be part of the USA? She was being given away without so much as a fight from her so called 'family'. This news hit her like a eighteen wheeler going 80 mph. It was all too much for her to process, she fainted. As her world faded to darkness, the last thing she heard was her father sobbing the apology he had been giving since he had entered her home, only now she knew why.
"I'm sorry, so sorry."
The drama has only just begun! This was a random idea that was born from a wacked out dream I had after watching Lilo and Stitch...I know I'm a dork... BUT I DON'T CARE! Poor Hawaii is about to be cut off from the only family she has ever known and given away like an old toy at a garage sale. What's will happen next? Find out in the next chapter ;)
Translations brought to you by Google, so if they are wrong blame them not me!
Kanoa means 'free child' in Hawaiian, it seemed right for our little island girl.
Pinao- Hawaiian for 'Dragonfly'
Makuakane- Hawaiian for 'father'
Kaikamahine- Hawaiian for 'daughter'
Paniolo- Hawaiian for 'Cowboy'