This brief outline of the history of the statehood movement in Hawaii brings me logically to the point of saying a few words about the colorful and dramatic history of Hawaii itself. As nearly as can be determined. the islands were settled more than a thousand years ago by those most daring of primitive seafarers. the Polynesians. who crossed the mighty Pacific from the Far East in sailing canoes. So far as they were concerned. they were coming from the West. They were coming from the Asiatic side of the Pacific. most anthropologists believe. although there is some difference of opinion on the matter.