How did the Hawaiian Islands become part of the United States? What happened to the Hawaiian kingdom? Outside of Hawaii, few know that Hawaiian annexation was an unfriendly takeover by the United States. This educational documentary illustrates the political battle that disenfranchised a capable, intelligent nation out of its freedom. Narrated from the rarely-heard viewpoint of Native Hawaiians, activists and scholars, “Act of War” covers the whole of Hawaiian history with foreign forces, including the conflict between Hawaiian religion and Christian Calvinism, the precipitous fall of the Hawaiian population, the missionary-imposed reforms of education and more. It also illustrates the successes of Hawaiian culture, displaying the brilliant and sophisticated King Kalakaua and the politically acute mind of Queen Liliuokalani. Indeed, by the mid-19th century, Hawaii enjoyed the reputation of being “the most intelligent nation in the world.” The film culminates by documenting Queen Liliuokalani’s arduous fight to preserve her people, and a sad assessment of Hawaiian culture today. A resolute call to arms, “Act of War” portrays a rare, important history and portrays modern Hawaii as an independent nation under illegal American rule.  Awards: "Web of Time" Award: Two Rivers Native Film & Video Festival, Minnesota  Silver Award:  Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Public Radio & Television Awards  CINE "Golden Eagle"  Bronze Plaque Award: Columbus International Film and Video Festival  Special recognition and plaque: Dreamspeakers, Alberta, Canada  Best of Festival: East Bay Video Festival, Berkeley, CA  Special Recognition, First Nations Film and Video World Alliance: Yamagata International Documentary Festival, Japan  Special recognition: Aotearoa Film Festival (New Zealand)  nominated for best of Hawai'i Filmmakers: Hawai'i International Film Festival