Check out the “Statehood Countdown” at StatehoodHawaii.org. Arnie Saiki has dug up interesting historical documents about the discussions and politics of Hawai’i being designated a state of the U.S. The countdown begins with the August 1st, 2009 post and continues for 21 days. Anti-communism was one of the big factors shaping U.S. policies regarding Hawai’i and Alaska.