Fifty years ago today, President Dwight Eisenhower set pen to official paper to welcome Hawaiçi as an official member of the United States.

In Hawaiçi, the news — long presumed — was relayed to Gov. William Quinn by Hawaiçi Secretary Edward Johnson.
Within minutes, Associate Justice Masaji Marumoto of the Hawaiçi Supreme Court administered oaths of office to Quinn and Lt. Gov. James Kealoha before a packed house in the executive chambers of çIolani Palace.
Thus began a week of grand public displays of pride and patriotism, even as those quietly opposed to statehood mourned the passing of the last vestiges of Hawaiian independence.
Civil Defense sirens wailed. A gun-saluting battery from Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific fired a 50-gun salute at çIolani Palace. Thousands attended an elaborate fireworks show at Ala Moana Beach Park. Cars crowded Honolulu streets, their horns blaring.
Today’s 50th anniversary activities are all but certain to have a significantly different tone.
In keeping with the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission’s stated intent of “commemorating” rather than “celebrating” the milestone, the state’s largest official marking of the day will be a conference aimed at looking ahead to Hawaiçi’s next 50 years.
“New Horizons for the Next 50 Years,” which runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., will include remarks from former U.S. Department of Energy deputy secretary Andy Karsner, 2008 Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay, and pollster John Zogby; the unveiling of the new Hawaiçi stamp; and workshops addressing a wide variety of concerns, including the military, tourism, the economy, media and others.
The event will close with remarks from Gov. Linda Lingle, entertainment and a fireworks display.
Hawaiian activists will also be busy today. The Hawaiian Independence Action Alliance and the Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs have organized a march and rally for Hawaiian independence, scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The march will begin at Ala Moana Beach Park and proceed to the Convention Center.
Also today, the Hawaiçi State Judiciary is hosting a panel discussion on statehood with retired Chief Justice William S. Richardson and retired Judge Betty M. Vitousek. The free event begins at noon at the Judiciary History Center.
On Maui, Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaiçi will headline “50 Years of Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance,” 11 a.m. at Häna Beach Park.