Queen Lili'uokalani and the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom

Background

• Date and Event: January 16th, 1895, Queen Lili’uokalani was arrested and imprisoned.
• Historical Context: Lili’uokalani was the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, ruling during a turbulent period.

Arrival of American Missionaries

• Start Date: 75 years prior to Lili’uokalani’s arrest.
• Impact:
  • Amassed power, built businesses, and claimed land.
  • Transformed lands into plantations.
  • Collaborated with Hawaiian nobility (ali’i).
• Political Influence: Helped establish Hawaii as a sovereign kingdom with a constitutional monarchy.

The Missionary Party

• Formation: Descendants of missionaries formed a political group called the "Missionary Party."
• Objective: Plot to annex Hawaii to the United States.
• Actions Taken:
  • Seized power and pressured King Kalākaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution, reducing the monarchy's power.
  • Stripped Native Hawaiians of rights and ceded control to white businessmen.

Lili’uokalani's Ascension

• Year: 1874, following the death of her brother King Kalākaua.
• Challenges:
  • Faced threats and rumors of insurgency.
  • Sought to restore power to Native Hawaiians.
• Efforts: Authored a new constitution to restore rights.

The Overthrow

• Coup Date: January 17th, 1893.
• Committee of Safety: Led the coup claiming danger to American property.
• US Involvement: 160 US Marines assisted.
• Outcome: Queen removed and Hawaii declared a Republic.

Native Hawaiian Response

• Public Protests: Thousands wore "Aloha ’Āina" bands.
• Provisional Government Tactics: Required new "oath of allegiance".

Counterrevolution and Imprisonment

• Counterrevolution: Attempted by Lili’uokalani’s supporters; met with brutal repression.
• Queen's Imprisonment:
  • Signed a document relinquishing her throne.
  • Composed songs and created a quilt while imprisoned.

Efforts to Halt Annexation

• Travel to Washington, D.C.: With Hawaiian nationalists to lobby Congress.
• Success: Temporarily stopped annexation treaty.

Annexation and Aftermath

• US Annexation: Declared a US territory in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.
• Impact: Broke international law and devastated native rights.

Legacy

• Efforts until Death: Petitioned for restoration of lands and rights.
• Death: 1917 without achieving her goals.
• Quote: "It is for them that I would give the last drop of my blood."
• Enduring Legacy: Commitment to her land and people continues to inspire Hawaiian resistance and advocacy for rights today.