Queen Liliuokalani – Last Royal Ruler of Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani stands as a poignant figure in Hawaiian history, remembered as the last sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the first and only queen to reign over the islands. Her rule, though brief, was marked by challenges, political intrigue, and a deep love for her people and their traditions. Ascending to the throne on January 29, 1891, she valiantly strove to protect her nation’s sovereignty until the kingdom’s overthrow on January 17, 1893.
Early Life and Lineage
Born Lydia Kamakaʻeha on September 2, 1838, in the vibrant city of Honolulu, Oahu, Liliuokalani’s life was intertwined with the Hawaiian nobility from her earliest days. Her parents, Analea Keohokalole and Caesar Kapaʻakea, were of high rank and connected to the House of Kamehameha, the ruling dynasty since 1795. In accordance with Hawaiian custom, she and her siblings were adopted informally by other royal members, a practice that strengthened familial bonds and ensured the continuation of traditions. Liliuokalani was raised by Abner Paki and Laura Konia, alongside their daughter, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, receiving a privileged upbringing steeped in Hawaiian culture and values.
Education and Court Life
Lydia’s education was comprehensive, encompassing both Hawaiian traditions and Western knowledge. Baptized as a Christian, she attended the Royal School, where she studied alongside other children of the nobility. As a young woman, she traveled extensively throughout the Western world, broadening her understanding of different cultures and political systems. Recognizing her potential, King Kamehameha III declared her and her siblings eligible for the throne, paving the way for her future role in Hawaiian leadership. After completing her schooling, she became an active member of the court of King Kamehameha IV, gaining valuable experience in governance and diplomacy.
Marriage and Royal Titles
In September 1862, Lydia married John Owen Dominis, an American-born man who held a prominent position in Hawaiian society. Dominis, the son of a Boston sea captain, served as an official in the Hawaiian government and later became the Governor of Oahu. While the couple did not have biological children, they embraced the Hawaiian tradition of hanai, adopting several children and providing them with love and care.
In 1874, her brother David Kalākaua was elected king. Subsequently, Lydia and her siblings were bestowed Western-style titles of Prince and Princess, further solidifying their positions within the royal hierarchy. Following the death of her other brother, W.P. Leleiohoku, in 1877, she was proclaimed the heir apparent to the throne. It was at this time that she adopted her royal name, Liliuokalani, and assumed a more active role in royal duties.
Regency and Diplomatic Missions
Liliuokalani’s dedication to her kingdom was evident in her various responsibilities. She served as regent during King Kalākaua’s world tour in 1881, demonstrating her ability to govern in his absence. She also actively promoted education for Hawaiian youth by organizing schools and supporting educational initiatives. In 1887, she represented her brother as an official envoy to the United Kingdom during the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, showcasing her diplomatic skills on an international stage. During her world tour, she was also received by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, highlighting the importance of Hawaiian-American relations.
Iolani Palace: A Symbol of Hawaiian Royalty
In 1882, King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani moved into the newly completed ʻIolani Palace, a magnificent structure that served as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchs and the seat of government. The palace, a symbol of Hawaiian royalty, witnessed significant events in the kingdom’s history, including Liliuokalani’s reign and the subsequent overthrow.
Economic Crisis and the Threat of Annexation
The year 1890 brought a significant economic challenge to Hawaii. The U.S. Congress passed the Tariff Act, which eliminated the preferential status of Hawaiian sugar imports, raising import rates and crippling the Hawaiian sugar industry. This economic hardship, coupled with the potential loss of power, fueled the ambitions of American missionaries, business entrepreneurs, and politicians who sought the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. They believed that annexation would provide Hawaiian sugar producers with the same economic benefits as their U.S. counterparts.
Queen Liliuokalani’s Reign and Resistance
Amid this crisis, King Kalākaua passed away in January 1891, and his sister, Liliuokalani, ascended to the throne. Determined to restore the power of the monarchy, Queen Liliuokalani sought to draft a new constitution that would reinstate the monarchy’s authority and protect the voting rights of native Hawaiians.
She had previously voiced her opposition to the Reciprocity Treaty of 1887, which granted commercial concessions to the United States and ceded the port of Pearl Harbor. This stance further alienated her from U.S. and European entrepreneurs, politicians, and businessmen who favored annexation.
The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom
The queen’s efforts to strengthen the monarchy sparked widespread political rallies and meetings in Honolulu. A group known as the Committee of Safety formed to protest the queen’s actions and conspired to overthrow her. In response, royalists and loyalists established the Committee of Law and Order and gathered at the palace square on January 16, 1893. Led by Robert W. Wilcox and other pro-monarchist leaders, they delivered speeches in support of the queen and the government.
Charles Wilson, the Marshal of the Kingdom, requested warrants to arrest the 13-member council of the Committee of Safety and place the Kingdom under martial law. However, the queen’s cabinet denied his request, fearing that such arrests would escalate the situation.
After a failed negotiation with the Committee of Safety, Charles Wilson and Samuel Nowlein, captain of the Royal Household Guard, assembled a force of 496 men to protect the queen. In response, Marines from the USS Boston and two companies of US sailors landed and took up positions at the US Legation, the Consulate, and Arion Hall. While they did not enter the palace grounds or engage in direct conflict, their presence effectively intimidated the royalist defenders.
To prevent bloodshed, Queen Liliuokalani yielded her authority on January 17, 1893, under pressure from those who sought her abdication and with the backing of the U.S. government and military. She immediately appealed to President Grover Cleveland to reinstate her, and her request was granted. However, Sanford B. Dole, a pro-annexation leader, had already seized control of ʻIolani Palace and transformed it into the executive building for the new government. On January 19, a delegation departed for Washington D.C. to request immediate annexation by the United States.
Imprisonment and Abdication
When arms were discovered hidden at her personal residence, Washington Place, Liliuokalani was arrested and imprisoned in an upstairs bedroom of ʻIolani Palace. To secure clemency for her supporters, she formally abdicated her throne on January 24, 1895. Later, she wrote, "For myself, I would have chosen death rather than to have signed it; but it was represented to me that by my signing this paper all the persons who had been arrested, all my people now in trouble by reason of their love and loyalty towards me, would be immediately released."
Hawaii as a U.S. Protectorate
On February 1, 1895, Hawaii was made a protectorate of the United States, ostensibly to provide a buffer against domestic upheaval and interference by foreign governments. The U.S. flag was raised over the palace, and martial law was enforced.
Trial and Imprisonment
Queen Liliuokalani was tried for treason by the military commission of the Hawaii Republic in the palace throne room on February 8. Despite claiming ignorance, she was sentenced to five years of hard labor in prison and fined $5,000. On September 4, the sentence was commuted to imprisonment in the palace. Confined to a second-floor room, she was allowed one lady-in-waiting during the day but no visitors.
Pardon and Return to Washington Place
On October 13, 1896, the Republic of Hawaii granted her a full pardon and restored her civil rights. She returned to her home, Washington Place, where she would spend the remainder of her life.
Later Life and Legacy
After her release, Liliuokalani continued to fight against the annexation of Hawaii by the United States, but annexation occurred in July 1898. The annexation treaty granted her a $20,000 per annum lifetime pension. In the same year, she published the book Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen and composed Aloha Oe, a song that has become a beloved symbol of the islands.
She continued to advocate for the return of the Hawaiian Crown Lands and in 1909, brought an unsuccessful lawsuit against the United States under the Fifth Amendment. She then continued to fight for compensation of the seized land, which was again unsuccessful.
Liliuokalani spent her later years as a private citizen at Washington Place in Honolulu. She passed away from a stroke on November 11, 1917, at the age of 79. Her remains are interred at the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii in Honolulu.
Preserving History
Both Washington Place and ʻIolani Palace, serve as museums today and are National Historic Landmarks, preserving the legacy of Queen Liliuokalani and the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Statehood
Hawaii eventually became the 50th and most recent State, achieving statehood in August 1959.
Queen Liliuokalani’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering love for her people. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of Hawaiians and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and fighting for justice.