The Overthrow of Hawaii by American Business

From here:


    Upon the death of her brother, King Kalakauam, Liliuokalani ascended the throne of Hawaii in January 1891. When Liliuokalani became Queen the islands were experiencing a sharp recession. In reaction to pressure from domestic sugar growers the U.S. government passed the McKinley Tariff in 1890 that eliminated the duty-free status on sugar enjoyed by Hawaiian sugar planters. As a result Hawaii’s wholesale sugar prices dropped forty percent. American interests in Hawaii began to consider annexation for Hawaii to reestablish a competitive position for sugar. Queen Liliuokalani sought to empower herself and Hawaiians by overturning the so-called Bayonet Constitution, passed in 1887, that limited the power of the monarch and the political power of native Hawaiians. Through a new constitution, the Queen desired to quash any attempt of U.S. annexation.

    The American planters, faced with ruin, sought to overthrow the monarchy. Led by Sanford Dole, the takeover began in January 1894 and was openly supported by John L. Stevens, U.S. minister to Hawaii. Stevens called for troops to take control of government buildings including the executive building at Iolani Palace. The coup was successful in deposing the Queen and Stevens cabled Washington, D.C., proclaiming “The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for the United States to pluck it.” However, the American government was not ready to pluck the pear just yet. …

    Cleveland replaced Stevens with Albert Willis as American minister to Hawaii. Willis offered the crown back to the Queen on the condition that she pardon and grant amnesty to those who had dethroned her. She at first refused and asserted that if restored to power, she would behead those who had conspired against her, but then changed her mind and offered leniency. Queen “Lil” had attracted a sentimental following in the U.S. but this delay compromised her position. and President Cleveland released the entire issue of the Hawaiian revolution to Congress for debate. Immediately Dole and his following of annexationists lobbied Congress to set up a Republic of Hawaii. On July 4, 1894, the Republic of Hawaii was established and Sanford Dole (of Dole Pineapple) proclaimed president.

    During his administration, Dole worked tirelessly to gain U.S. annexation and to block efforts to a counterrevolution aimed at restoring the monarchy. The ex-Queen herself was arrested in 1895 when a supply of weapons was found in the gardens of her home in Washington Place. She denied any knowledge of this cache or of any endeavor to restore her to the throne. In 1896 she was released and returned to her home at Washington Place where she remained for the next twenty years.

2 comments

  1. It’s so fucked up how little we learn about Hawaii statehood (and what led up to it) in schools. I only this last week learned a good bit about it while reading a HISTORICAL FICTION novel.

    That’s messed up.

  2. makahilahila

    its king kalakaua not king Kalakauam do correct this cause i get really pissed when people disgrace my haritage