On January 16, 1895, Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawaii faced a harrowing ordeal as two men arrived at her door, arrested her, and led her to a room where she would be imprisoned. This marked a significant turning point in Hawaiian history, as a group had recently seized power, confiscated her diaries, ransacked her home, claimed her lands, and hidden her away. Lili’uokalani was the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, and her rule coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in the islands’ history.
Seventy-five years before Lili’uokalani’s arrest, American missionaries first arrived in Hawaii. They quickly gained influence, establishing businesses and acquiring arable land, which they transformed into plantations. These missionaries worked closely with the ali’i, the sacred Hawaiian nobility believed to be linked to the gods. The ali’i appointed missionaries to government roles, helping to establish Hawaii as a sovereign kingdom with a constitutional monarchy.
As business opportunities emerged, particularly the prospect of exporting sugar to the United States tariff-free, some descendants of the missionaries shifted their focus. They formed a political group known as the “Missionary Party” and began plotting to annex Hawaii, aiming to bring it under U.S. control. Lili’uokalani and her siblings were born into an ali’i family, and in 1874, her brother, Kalākaua, ascended the throne. However, thirteen years into his reign, the Missionary Party’s threat became evident.
The Missionary Party orchestrated a meeting where an all-white militia surrounded King Kalākaua and forced him to sign new legislation, later known as the Bayonet Constitution. This document stripped Native Hawaiians of their rights, diminished the monarchy’s power, and ceded control to white businessmen. Four years later, King Kalākaua died, heartbroken, as Lili’uokalani noted, “by the base ingratitude of the very persons whose fortunes he had made.” Prepared to fight, Lili’uokalani assumed the throne, determined to restore power to her people, two-thirds of whom had lost their voting rights.
Despite facing death threats and rumors of insurgency, Queen Lili’uokalani was resolute in her mission. She authored a new constitution to restore power to her people. However, before she could introduce it, the “Committee of Safety,” a new organization comprising many Missionary Party members, staged a coup on January 17, 1893. Under the false pretense that the new constitution endangered American property and lives, more than 160 U.S. Marines marched to the palace, and the “Committee of Safety” removed Queen Lili’uokalani from office.
Thousands of Hawaiians protested the coup, some wearing hat bands reading “Aloha ’Āina,” or “love of the nation.” The so-called “Provisional Government” declared Hawaii a Republic the following year, proclaiming that Hawaiians couldn’t vote or be government employees without signing a new “oath of allegiance.” Many refused. In response to a counterrevolution attempt by Lili’uokalani’s supporters, the Republic brutally suppressed the movement, jailing hundreds and sentencing six people to death.
In exchange for their release, the Republic forced Lili’uokalani to sign a document relinquishing her throne, and she was imprisoned in the palace. Under constant guard, she composed songs expressing her love for her people and began making a patchwork quilt that told the story of her life. Despite being allowed only censored news, her supporters often brought her bouquets wrapped in newspaper from the garden she had dedicated to them.
After eight months, Lili’uokalani was placed under house arrest. Once it was lifted, she traveled to Washington, D.C., with Hawaiian nationalists and over 20,000 signatures, successfully convincing Congress to halt the Republic’s annexation treaty. However, the Spanish-American War began the following year, and President William McKinley declared Hawaii a U.S. territory on July 7, 1898, breaking international law and devastating Queen Lili’uokalani and her people.
Queen Lili’uokalani spent the rest of her life petitioning for the restoration of her lands, Native Hawaiian rights, and national liberation. When she died in 1917, these dreams remained unrealized. Despite efforts to erase the past, Queen Lili’uokalani left a resilient legacy. Her unwavering commitment to her land and people continues to inspire many Hawaiians who fight in her memory. Speaking of Hawaii’s children, Queen Lili’uokalani once said, “It is for them that I would give the last drop of my blood.”
Divide into groups and role-play a debate between the Missionary Party and the supporters of Queen Lili’uokalani. Each group should research their assigned perspective and present arguments for or against the annexation of Hawaii. This will help you understand the motivations and consequences of each side’s actions.
Imagine you are Queen Lili’uokalani or a Hawaiian citizen during the overthrow. Write a series of diary entries describing your thoughts and feelings about the events unfolding around you. This activity will help you empathize with the historical figures and understand their experiences.
Create a detailed timeline of the key events leading up to and following the overthrow of Queen Lili’uokalani. Include dates, descriptions, and illustrations to visualize the sequence of events. This will help you grasp the chronological order and the cause-and-effect relationships in Hawaiian history.
Compare the Bayonet Constitution with the constitution Queen Lili’uokalani attempted to introduce. Identify the key differences and discuss how each constitution impacted the rights and governance of Native Hawaiians. This will deepen your understanding of the political changes during this period.
Compose a song, poem, or piece of artwork that reflects the emotions and struggles of Queen Lili’uokalani and her supporters. Share your creation with the class and explain the historical context that inspired your work. This activity will allow you to express your understanding of the historical events creatively.
Overthrow – To remove from power or authority, often through force. – The citizens planned to overthrow the corrupt government in order to establish a fairer system.
Queen – A female monarch who rules a kingdom or territory. – Queen Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch of Hawaii before the islands were annexed by the United States.
Hawaii – A group of islands in the central Pacific Ocean, known for its unique culture and history. – Hawaii became a U.S. state in 1959, but its history as a sovereign nation dates back centuries.
Monarchy – A form of government where a single person, the monarch, rules the state, often for life and by hereditary right. – The monarchy in England has a long history, with many changes in power and influence over the centuries.
Missionaries – Individuals sent to promote their religion in foreign countries, often involved in education and social services. – Christian missionaries played a significant role in the cultural transformation of Hawaii in the 19th century.
Constitution – A written document that outlines the fundamental principles and structures of a government. – The United States Constitution, ratified in 1788, established the framework for the federal government and its relationship with the states.
Republic – A form of government in which the country is considered a “public matter” and is not the private concern of the rulers. – The Roman Republic was a significant period in history that influenced modern democratic governments.
Rights – Legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement. – The Bill of Rights guarantees essential rights and freedoms to all American citizens.
Legacy – Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past, often referring to achievements or cultural impact. – The legacy of the civil rights movement continues to influence social justice efforts today.
Struggle – A forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack; a conflict or contest. – The struggle for independence in various countries often involved significant sacrifices and determination from their citizens.
